Daily Digest - March 12 2021

“I eat, breathe and speak music, and that is how I am fulfilling my calling during this COVID-19 pandemic.”Christine Anesu Hove, praise and worship member at Chisipiti United Methodist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Gospel music sparks hope amid COVID-19 

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Pandemic-induced lockdowns and suspension of in-person gatherings have proven especially difficult for those called to lead and participate in music during worship. Still, United Methodists in Zimbabwe are finding ways to keep the music alive, offering solace and uplifting spirits. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story

Oklahoma Conference
Church gets mission done despite challenges

TULSA, Okla. — Just before the pandemic reached the U.S., Tulsa’s Boston Avenue United Methodist Church adopted McCurdy Ministries Community Center in New Mexico as a mission focus. The church wasn’t able to send volunteer teams but employed local carpenters to build an outdoor counseling pavilion.
Read story

Greater New Jersey Conference
Preaching and parenting during a pandemic

NEPTUNE, N.J. — The Rev. Amanda Rohrs-Dodge was on only her fourth week of maternity leave when the pandemic shutdown began last March. With a new baby and 5-year-old twins at home and three churches between herself and her pastor husband, life became a juggling act. Rohrs-Dodge said her faith and knowing that “being a pastor is never a traditional 9-to-5 job” has gotten her through. Denise Herschel has the story.
Read story

Maybe I’m Amazed 
Hall of Fame coach talks faith with pastor
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Rev. James Howell, senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, has launched a podcast titled “Maybe I’m Amazed.” In a new episode, he talks about faith, fame and fatherhood with Roy Williams, University of North Carolina and Hall of Fame basketball coach.
Listen to podcast
Find other episodes


PRESS RELEASES

World Methodist Council
Criteria for seeking museum artifacts

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The World Methodist Museum, which is closing, has released the values and protocols it will use to determine how transfers of its artifacts are made. 
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.

North Texas Conference
Black pastor champions vaccination
 
PLANO, Texas — The Rev. Ronald Henderson, a district superintendent in the North Texas Conference, shares why he got his COVID-19 vaccinations and why other African Americans should do the same.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Council of Bishops
Dismantling Racism: ‘Let my people go!’

WASHINGTON — Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Conference continues the Council of Bishops’ series of Lent devotions with a message based on Numbers 21:4-9 titled “Let My People Go!” The series is themed to the churchwide Dismantling Racism initiative. Each Wednesday during Lent and every day during Holy Week, people can view a 15-minute recorded devotion led by a bishop and leaders from their episcopal areas.
Watch online
See previous devotionals


RECENT HEADLINES

Clergy care a priority in pandemic year


Dotson remembered for seeing all the people


EVENTS

Sunday, March 14

UMCOR Sunday

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