“There was never any instance when I saw him unprepared in advance, or incapable of meeting the need and responsibility that his leadership alone could supply.” — The Rev. Wilson Shearer on his friend of 68 years, Bishop Joe Yeakel.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishop Yeakel, caring leader, dies at 93
WOOSTER, Ohio (UM News) — In his more than 70 years of ministry, Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel served a variety of leadership roles, including Council of Bishops president. He later became an advocate for full LGBTQ inclusion. Friends say he took on these roles with humility and compassion. He died July 4 at age 93. Heather Hahn has the obituary.
Read obituary
Read Council of Bishops press release
Michigan Conference
Assassination, storm hit Haiti
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Conference Covenant Partners in Haiti is asking for prayers and donations after the country’s president was assassinated and the tropical storm Elsa caused damage. Also, a fire on July 6 destroyed laptops and other equipment used by a computer lab that provides job training. Kay DeMoss reports.
Read story
Church and Society
Sacred Worth book-reading series begins
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is kicking off a Sacred Worth Books Summer Read-along Series on its YouTube channel. Every Wednesday in July at 2 p.m. U.S. Eastern time, leaders from the agency will read and discuss a different book that speaks to particular justice issues and connects with faith. The first book will be “We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom.
Watch video
WFMJ-21
Churches build free community garden
SHARON, Pa. — The city of Sharon wanted neighbors to adopt properties to take care of vacant lots so they wouldn't become dumping grounds. The churches of the Sharon United Methodist Parish decided to step in and put a free community vegetable garden on a few of the lots. "Being able to provide fresh produce for the community is an amazing feeling," said the Rev. Doug Dyson, pastor of the churches. Tyler Ryan reports.
Read story
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 the UM News staff.
Rethink Church
Do we need the institution to do church?
RICHARDSON, Texas — When Shandon Klein hears the word “institution,” she can’t help but think of its negative characteristics. It occurs to her that many people have the same reaction to the word “church.” Klein, a ministry associate at First United Methodist Church Richardson, asks, as an institutional church, “are we truly creating disciples of Jesus Christ or are we simply creating disciples of our institutional standards and policies?”
Read commentary
PRESS RELEASES
Religion and Race
Arroyo named top executive of Religion and Race
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, an ordained elder and member of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, has been elected as the top executive for the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, effective Aug. 31. He succeeds M. Garlinda Burton, who has been serving as interim executive during the search process. With his election, Arroyo will be the first Latinx person to head a denomination-wide agency.
Read press release
World Council of Churches, World Methodist Council
Calls for global tax reform
GENEVA — Ecumenical groups, including the World Methodist Council and World Council of Churches, have sent a joint letter to G20 finance ministers. The letter urges global tax reform, such as unitary methods for corporate taxation, to address the global inequities exacerbated by COVID-19.
Read letter
RECENT HEADLINES
Churches have role in overcoming vaccine hesitancy
Nurse leads Korean church’s vaccine ministry
EVENTS
Saturday, Aug. 21
Red Bird Missionary Annual Conference 2021
Monday, Aug. 23-Friday, Sept. 10
Online course: Mentoring Young People in Their Faith
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