Daily Digest - June 21, 2024

“The best kind of accomplishment is to help somebody else.” — Jeremiah Bowden, a recovered drug addict who lives at the Lucille Raines Residence in Indianapolis.


TODAY’S HEADLINES

Recovering addicts find place to heal 
INDIANAPOLIS (UM News) — The people who live at the Lucille Raines Residence have all struggled with addiction but are doing their best to put that behind them. The program, a ministry of United Women in Faith of Indiana, provides a place to live while its residents attend 12-step programs and heal. Jim Patterson reports.
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Michigan Conference
Historic church marks Juneteenth
BOYNE CITY, Mich. — Compass Community Church revisited its cross-racial heritage on the Juneteenth holiday, which commemorates the day in 1865 that Black slaves in Texas learned that they had been set free. Donations from Black settlers in Michigan helped to build Boyne’s first Methodist church, known today as Compass, in 1883. Zachariah and Mary Morgan were charter members of the congregation and co-founders of what was then the village of Boyne. Faith Green Timmons has the story.
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Global Ministries
Money secured for African church
ATLANTA — An Atlanta church raised more than $150,000 to help build a church building in the Central African Republic. Cascade United Methodist Church received the donations for the project over Lent, with contributions coming from all over the world. “I assure you that by constructing this church, you are bringing dignity to the grassroots work we are currently undertaking,” said the Rev. Aquilas Soronaka, country director for the Central African Republic Mission Initiative. Christie R. House reports.
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West Ohio Conference
Sewing skills offer hope
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — At the Women’s Sewing Center in Kamina, Congo, students are trained in sewing, tailoring, soap making, household management and vegetable planting. Supported by the West Ohio Conference, the center provides training for young girls and women to become entrepreneurs and contributors to their communities. Sewing machines cost $110 each, and donations are encouraged. Amy Graham has the story.
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RESOURCES

Black Clergy Women of The United Methodist Church
Black Clergy Women set annual meeting 
NEW ORLEANS — Black Clergy Women of The United Methodist Church will meet July 29-31 with the theme of “Freedom: Dance. Operate. Manifest.” The gathering, at the Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District Hotel, will focus on self-care and what it means to live liberated lives. Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling will be the opening worship preacher, the Rev. Jasmine Smothers will lead devotions and Bishop Robin Dease will be the Social Justice Luncheon speaker. Plenary sessions will address financial wholeness and retirement; General Conference and the church’s future; and other topics.  
Learn more and register


EVENTS

Monday, July 8-Monday, July 22
Online course: Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders

Monday, July 15-Friday, July 26
Online course: Embracing Personal Prayer


TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK

Drought puts lives, church farms at risk in Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — El Niño-induced drought has left millions in the country facing hunger. The United Methodist Church’s efforts to boost food security in the region also suffered a huge blow, with church mission farms seeing major crop losses. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, through the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, supports maize production at four United Methodist mission farms. Those without irrigation systems have been the hardest hit. Kudzai Chingwe reports. 
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Bishop Humper remembered as advocate for peace
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Retired United Methodist Bishop Joseph C. Humper, who died last month at age 81, helped to restore peace following civil war in his country. Colleagues said Humper was an influential mentor who developed clergy and lay leaders on the African continent. Eveline Chikwanah has the story. 
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Read Council of Bishops press release

Liberian bishop counters misinformation
MONROVIA, Liberia (UM News) — Bishop Samuel J. Quire of Liberia responded to protests following General Conference’s removal of bans on same-sex weddings and gay ordination. He is dealing with calls for the conference to hold a special session to determine its future, but such a meeting is not currently scheduled. “Be a United Methodist, love The United Methodist Church and stay a United Methodist,” Quire urged his fellow Liberian church members at the end of a press briefing aimed at clearing up misinformation. E Julu Swen reports. 
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New 2024 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2024 annual conference reports. New this week are the Alabama-West Florida, California-Nevada, East Ohio, Illinois Great Rivers, Missouri, North Carolina, Northwest Texas, Peninsula-Delaware and Tanzania conferences. 
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Africa University
Africa University celebrates 30th graduation
OLD MUTARE, Zimbabwe — More than 560 students from 22 countries received degrees during Africa University’s 30th graduation ceremony. Nearly 58% of this year’s graduates are women. Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano was the keynote speaker at the pan-African United Methodist university’s commencement. He reminded the graduates of the transformative potential of peace, tracing from his own experiences as a leader during a time of turmoil in Mozambique. Tawanda Chiwara reports. 
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Minnesota Conference
Korean church provides ‘miracle’ for Hispanic ministry
WORTHINGTON, Minn. — Jose “Angel” Franco had been praying for a van that would allow him to help more people through Cristo En Tu Ayuda, the Hispanic ministry he and his wife, Lourdes, started. Several months ago, his prayer was answered thanks to a Korean Methodist church located more than 6,200 miles away. Christa Meland has the story.
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