Daily Digest - June 9, 2021

NEWS AND FEATURES

Church takes on xenophobia
JOHANNESBURG (UM News) — Xenophobia, the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners, is widespread in South Africa. Harassment and violence against African and Asian non-nationals are routine and sometimes lethal, according to Human Rights Watch. In response, United Methodists are educating young people about xenophobic attacks and the meaning of being "foreign." Alvin Tiri Makunike has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Meet 'John Wesley Church Mouse'
CHAPIN, S.C. — A former English teacher and longtime member of Chapin United Methodist Church has penned a children's book featuring a church mouse named John Wesley. Evelyn Anne Johnson-Neal's book, "John Wesley Church Mouse," is told from the perspective of a mouse who watches over the staff of the fictional Chapin Church, based on her real-life congregation. Jessica Brodie reports.
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United Methodist Communications
How spiritual practices disrupt our world
MINNEAPOLIS — Worship, prayer and meditation interrupt the world's cycles of brokenness. On an episode of the Compass Podcast, the Rev. Tyler Sit, the author of "Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers" and pastor of New City Church, describes how these practices worked in Minneapolis in the wake of the uprising for racial justice and the Derek Chauvin trial.
Listen to podcast

PRESS RELEASES

National Association of Filipino American United Methodists
Urging sustainable peace in Israel, Palestine
CHICAGO — The National Association of Filipino American United Methodists has issued a statement on the urgency of a just and sustainable peace in Israel and Palestine. "We are deeply concerned that the sobering reality that conditions on the ground leading to the recent violence are far from being addressed," the statement said. The group called on its constituent congregations and members "to engage proactively and publicly in acts of peace with justice in Israel, Palestine, in the region, and in the world as an integral part of our discipleship."
Read statement on Facebook

RESOURCES

Gammon Theological Seminary
Survey asks Black churches about worship
ATLANTA — Gammon Theological Seminary is collaborating with other United Methodist organizations to understand the factors informing how Black churches resume in-person worship and navigate virtual worship as pandemic restrictions lift. The insights from this research will be shared with African American pastors and laity as they navigate this changing ministry landscape. Partners in the survey include Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, Convocation for Black Pastors in the UMC, Black Clergywomen of the UMC, and Black Methodists for Church Renewal. The survey will remain open through June 30.
To take survey

Global Ministries
Observing World Refugee Day
ATLANTA — World Refugee Day is June 20. To help observe, resources including poems, a downloadable bulletin insert and an interactive map are available from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, whose work with refugees began in the 1940s and continues today. An ecumenical event will be held at 7 p.m. Eastern time, June 14, to reflect, pray and listen to stories from those forced to flee from their homes.
Access resources
Register for virtual vigil

Foundation for Evangelism
Scholars lead webinars on evangelism
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism spring webinar series is now available on demand on the foundation's website. The Revs. Priscilla Pope-Levison of Perkins School of Theology and Jeffrey Conklin-Miller of Duke Divinity School each lead a webinar based on their recent books aimed at helping people share the good news of Christ.
View webinars

RECENT HEADLINES

Hanke looks back at UM Men tenure

Asking United Methodist polity questions

EVENTS

Friday, June 18-Saturday, June 19

Wisconsin Annual Conference

Susquehanna Annual Conference