“I believe every stroke has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Damon’s very highly spiritually sensitive to the leading and guiding of the Spirit.” — The Rev. JB Jackson, pastor at Dallas Indian United Methodist Church, where artist Damon Neal is painting a mural called “A Window to Heaven.”
TODAY’S HEADLINES
UMC.org
Artist finds healing through ‘A Window to Heaven’
DALLAS — Mourning the loss of his father and brother, Damon Neal is finding healing in a mural he is painting at Dallas Indian United Methodist Church that he calls “A Window to Heaven.” The painting incorporates the visages of some of God’s creations — including a Brussels sprout. Neal, a Native American, believes God is taking “every negative thought I had” and molding it into something else, “putting it into a positive.” Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
North Texas Conference
Centenarian a whiz at online worship
DALLAS – At age 102, Dorothy Gharis is a faithful online attendee of White Rock United Methodist Church, using her tablet computer to connect for worship services. The Rev. Keith Payne Boone, associate pastor of congregational care and senior life, goes to her residence monthly to celebrate communion with her. Monica Frazier reports.
Read story
Kentucky Conference
Living her dream job — and calling
RAVENNA, Ky. — Pictures of Haley Andes’ summers at Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center — both as a camper and as a staff member — hang on a wall of her office. Today, she is the Kentucky Conference’s youngest and first female camp director. Alan Wild has her profile.
Read story
Systema Funeral Services
Remembering the Rev. Les Longden
MUSKEGON, Mich. — The Rev. Leicester “Les” Ralph Longden, associate professor emeritus and former longtime director of United Methodist studies at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Iowa, died July 6 at age 75. Longden, who began his ministry as a pastor of United Methodist churches, was a leader in the denomination’s theologically conservative Renewal and Reform Coalition. He was a commentary writer for UM News and a respected authority on the works of renowned United Methodist theologian the Rev. Albert Outler.
Read obituary
Read about Longden's interest in the Methodist scholar Albert Outler
PRESS RELEASES
ENCORE Ministry
Fund established to help church accessibility
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — ENCORE Ministry announced the Bill and Lynn McAlilly Fund for Church Accessibility at the inaugural Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference in June. The fund, named for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference bishop and his wife, will support grants to make the conference’s churches accessible to older adults.
Read press release
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.
Minnesota Conference
Online dangers need to be addressed
MINNEAPOLIS — The same algorithms that drive messages to online adults about their interests are targeting children with alt-right viewpoints on the news of the day, says the Rev. Dana Neuhauser. The racial justice organizer for the Minnesota Conference suggests adults should model critical thinking and prayerful action to offset these influences.
Read commentary
EVENTS
Monday, Aug. 1-Friday, Aug. 12
Online course: Creating Safe Spaces for Children and Youth Ministries
Monday, Aug. 1-Saturday, Aug. 13
Online course: From Your Heart to Theirs — Delivering an Effective Sermon
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
United Methodist Communications
Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church really … ?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has received many questions from congregations wondering about the future of the denomination and whether they should consider disaffiliating from it. These have included recurrent questions that reflect misperceptions or misinformation that congregations are receiving as they discern their next steps. This is the first of a series of articles offering accurate responses to such misperceptions or misinformation.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC
Northern Illinois Conference
Bishop responds to Independence Day shooting
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — After a mass shooting claimed seven lives and injured dozens of others at a Fourth of July parade, Bishop John L. Hopkins is urging United Methodists to act. “This mass shooting calls us to mourn, pray, remember innocent lives lost and strengthen our resolve to find ways to address the growing epidemic of gun violence in the United States,” wrote the interim bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference in a statement.
Read statement
Northern Illinois Conference: United Methodists pray, mourn after tragedy
ResourceUMC
State of the Church Report released
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church has released the 2021 State of the Church Report, which centers on the theme of claiming the denomination’s identity in faith and service to Christ. The report highlights the #BeUMC campaign, which celebrates the life-changing, diverse and global nature of The United Methodist Church.
Read press release
See report
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.