Daily Digest - June 15, 2021

NEWS AND FEATURES

Groups help alleviate hunger in Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — COVID-19 lockdowns robbed many Zimbabweans of basic necessities for survival, with food topping the list. In response, United Methodist Women, The Nyadire Connection and the Harare East District reached out to 800 vulnerable families with food donations and other relief. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
UM News: Food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic

Ask The UMC
Is our time of death predetermined?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When loved ones die, it is not uncommon to hear someone try to comfort us with words such as, "It was their time." But is our time of death predetermined? In a new series, Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores that question and others related to United Methodist beliefs about death and resurrection.
Read story
Read press release about series
Read more Ask The UMC

Greater New Jersey Conference
Church stretches outreach to India
EDISON, N.J. — As reports came in of rising COVID-19 infections and deaths in India, a family thousands of miles away at New Dover United Methodist Church grieved for 14 family members who were among the dead. To help, the church is raising money to outfit an entire ICU room in a hospital on the southeastern coast of India where a bed shortage was one of the main reasons for the staggering number of deaths. Heather Mistretta reports.
Read story

World Council of Churches
Prayers for Biden-Putin summit
GENEVA — The World Council of Churches, with an open letter and prayer, shared its hopes for peace on the eve of the June 16 summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We pray that the God of life and peace will inspire and guide you," wrote the Rev. Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary.
Read letter (PDF)

PRESS RELEASES

Indiana Conference
Grants will support children's homes
CARMEL, Ind. — Three children's homes in Indiana will receive $3 million grants from Methodist Health Group. The grants will go to Bashor Children's Home, the Indiana United Methodist Children's Home and United Methodist Youth Home.
Read press release

Foundation for Evangelism
Foundation awards grants to seminary, district
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism has awarded two grants in its 2021 focus areas of raising up Gospel leaders, engaging the ministry of the laity and equipping the local church. United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, received a grant for the formation of a Fresh Expressions House of Study. The Seashore District in the Mississippi Conference received a grant for a team to develop contextually appropriate evangelism practices.
Read about United grant
Read about Mississippi grant

RESOURCES

California-Nevada Conference
Webinars highlight commitment to diversity
SACRAMENTO — The California-Nevada Conference will host three webinars highlighting the church's commitment to diversity. The webinars are part of the Western Jurisdiction's "Where Love Lives" campaign. The first webinar examining the United Methodist Women Charter for Racial Justice is scheduled at 4 p.m. U.S. Pacific time June 16.
To register for June 16 webinar
To see schedule

Day1, North Georgia Conference
Rev. Quincy Brown to preach on 'Day1'
ATLANTA — The Rev. Quincy Brown, district superintendent and missional strategist in the North Georgia Conference, will be the featured preacher June 20 on "Day1" with host Peter Wallace. The nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program is also accessible online at Day1.org and by podcast.
Read press release
Visit Day1

RECENT HEADLINES

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EVENTS

Thursday, June 17-Saturday, June 19
California-Pacific Annual Conference

Thursday, June 24
Webinar: Engaging the Community for Social Transformation