Daily Digest - July 28, 2022

NEWS AND FEATURES

Ask The UMC
Valuing Life series explores mental health

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores the ways United Methodists value life and help others experience the abundance of life Jesus promises. In the fifth installment of a seven-part series, Ask The UMC looks at mental health and ways local churches can support those who are suffering.
Read story
Read other installments

South Carolina Conference
Church team helps after Tennessee flood

WAVERLY, Tenn. — When devastating floodwaters ravaged Waverly last August, the natural disaster made headlines but national attention soon moved on. Thanks to the efforts of Grace-Lynnwood United Methodist Church in South Carolina, Waverly residents got some much-needed assistance — and a heavy dose of prayer — this spring. Jessica Brodie has the story. 
Read story 

Wisconsin Conference
Bishop responds after lawsuit dismissed

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Wisconsin Conference Bishop Hee-Soo Jung released a statement after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Hebron United Methodist Church challenging the denomination’s trust clause. Expressing respect for the ministry and history of the Hebron congregation, Jung wrote, “Now our focus turns toward healing and restoration of our ministry in the name of Jesus.”
Read statement 
Courthouse News: Judge tosses lawsuit

The Associated Press
2nd teen charged in death of district superintendent

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A second 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder in the carjacking and shooting of a United Methodist leader, police said. The teenager was charged with first-degree murder, carjacking and other offenses in the killing of the Rev. Autura Eason-Williams, a district superintendent in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Adrian Sainz reports. 
Read story
UM News: District superintendent killed in carjacking 

Akron Beacon Journal
Police reform sought by clergy

AKRON, Ohio — Fifteen United Methodist leaders are asking for a ban of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets in response to peaceful protests, as well as the installation of dashcams in police cruisers. The leaders also are asking for tighter rules on firearms. A July 18 letter to the Akron City Council comes after 25-year-old Jayland Walker was fatally shot by police after fleeing a traffic stop June 27. Among the signees are the Revs. Angela Lewis and Bruce Hitchcock, both district superintendents. Eric Marotta has the story.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

West Africa College of Bishops
Talks underway to bring peace to church in Nigeria

ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire — Work is underway within the West Africa College of Bishops and the Africa Fellowship of Bishops to mediate the longstanding crisis within the Nigerian Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, said Bishop Benjamin Boni, president of the West Africa College of Bishops, in a press release. Representatives of the bishops have undertaken a process to listen deeply to the concerns of those involved and initiate next steps.
Read press release (PDF)
UM News: Divide deepens among Nigerian church leaders


COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. 

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary 
Building a healthy church leadership team

PITTSBURGH — “Those who have never served in church leadership seem surprised to learn that church meetings aren’t always friendly and agreeable,” writes the Rev. Erik Hoeke. He shares suggestions on how to establish a healthy church leadership team that works together respectfully through disagreements rather than getting sidetracked by them. 
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Interfaith Power & Light
4 United Methodist churches certified ‘cool’

OAKLAND, Calif. — Four United Methodist congregations across the United States are proving it’s cool to be green. The nonprofit Interfaith Power & Light has certified each church as a “Cool Congregation” for reducing its carbon footprint by at least 20%. This year’s cool congregations include La Mesa First United Methodist Church in La Mesa, California; Mountain View United Methodist Church in Boulder, Colorado; Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Laurel, Maryland; and Aldersgate United Methodist in Lincoln, Nebraska. 
See Cool Congregations list 
5 steps to becoming a Cool Congregation


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