Daily Digest - June 9, 2022

“The majority arrive very sad for everything they have gone through, but here they feel peace.” — Bishop Felipe Ruiz, episcopal leader of the Methodist Church of Mexico’s Northwest Annual Conference, on helping Ukrainian refugees in Tijuana.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Methodists help Ukrainian refugees in Tijuana

TIJUANA, Mexico (UM News) — The Methodist Church of Mexico is responding to a surge in immigrants from Ukraine who have been displaced by war and are seeking asylum in the United States. The Methodist Church of Mexico A.R., together with other churches, civil organizations and the support of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is providing food and other aid. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez has the story.
Read story

CBS News Bay Area
Arson suspect arrested after church fire

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Police have arrested an arson suspect in connection with a two-alarm fire that burned St. Paul's United Methodist Church on June 8, fire officials said. No injuries were reported, but the building suffered damage. The Rev. Helen Kung, lead pastor at St. Paul's, said the church will continue to hold Sunday services, and several other churches in the area have already reached out, offering spaces for worship. “The spirit of the church is more important. The building is just a building. The spirit is still here,” she said. Katie Nielsen reports.
Read story and watch video

Kent Reporter
Church expects to save big with solar panels

KENT, Wash. — Kent United Methodist Church held a ribbon-cutting June 5 for solar panels that have been added to its roof. The panels were paid for by a $102,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy, which predicts a nearly 75% decline in the church’s energy costs. Steve Hunter has the story.
Read story
Read church’s report


PRESS RELEASES

Bishops on protocol mediation team
Bishops continue to affirm protocol

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After some negotiators announced they could no longer support the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation, the seven bishops who served on the mediation team issued a response June 9. The bishops affirmed the protocol. “We acknowledge that the Protocol is now in legislative form and is the appropriate discernment of the delegates to the upcoming General Conference,” the bishops said. 
Read bishops’ statement
Updated UM News story: Protocol’s day has passed, some negotiators say

Perkins School of Theology
McKee to be bishop in residence at Perkins

DALLAS — Bishop Michael McKee has accepted an invitation to become bishop in residence at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. He’ll begin early in 2023. McKee is retiring as episcopal leader of the North Texas Conference at the end of this year. 
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 the UM News staff.

Much is still possible for our church
BATON ROUGE, La. (UM News) — Inspired by a book of poems, a group of clergy mentors, leadership professionals and spiritual guides pondered what is “still possible” for The United Methodist Church. The Rev. John Winn shares the group’s list.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Center for Scouting Ministries
Webinar to address BSA relationship

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many United Methodist churches have for years been chartering organizations for Boy Scout troops. That’s changing, and a Zoom webinar explaining the new relationship churches will have with the Boy Scouts of America and BSA troops is set for June 16, beginning at 7:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern time. The meeting is to last about 75 minutes, and United Methodist leaders say they’ll follow up with an FAQ statement. 
For meeting registration details


RECENT HEADLINES

What should congregations know about disaffiliation?


Virtual church will continue after COVID-19



EVENTS

Saturday, June 11-Sunday, June 12

Missouri Annual Conference

Sunday, June 12-Wednesday, June 15
Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference

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