“Immediately stopping all such actions is the only way to ensure the work of the special commission has credibility and can work towards a solution or set of solutions that will finally mend The UMC.” — Reconciling Ministries Network petition to halt punitive actions on sexuality.
“LGBTQ people and activists could help us avoid them by adhering to the requirements of the Discipline, rather than attempting to force change through disobedience.” — The Rev. Tom Lambrecht of Good News on avoiding complaints and trials.
Conferences react to ‘Way Forward’ on sexuality
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — “An Offering for a Way Forward,” approved by the 2016 General Conference, put the debate on human sexuality on hold. However, some United Methodist clergy are still facing charges and others who recently came out as gay are vulnerable. Conferences, advocates supporting LGBTQ people and those who support current church law are now grappling with the in-between stage. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Congregational tips for mother-child health
NEW YORK (UMNS) — In 2013, 23,440 babies in the United States died before their first birthday. The majority of these deaths were preventable. United Methodist Women offers 12 simple steps that congregations can take to change the statistics.
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Celebrating women hymn writers
RICHMOND, Va. (UMNS) — At a time when many Christian women were encouraged to be quiet about the good news, some women hymn writers defied social expectations with their compositions. T. Wes Moore, a sacred music scholar, celebrates one such hymn writer, Julia H. Johnston, and her hymn “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” as part of Discipleship Ministries’ History of Hymns.
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Commentary: The absent church
DENVER (UMNS) — “Where the church is clearly called by Jesus Christ to be, there instead exists a sucking vacuum,” laments Logan Robertson of the Rocky Mountain Conference. In a commentary for Ministry Matters, Robertson writes about where society needs the church’s presence.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Monday, June 20
Deadline to register for three United Methodist Communications online courses to be offered July 6 – Aug. 17 — The courses are “Tools for Increasing Your Church’s Vitality,” “Communicating Faith in the 21st Century” and “Welcoming Ministry.” Costs vary. Details
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