Daily Digest - March 12, 2024

NEWS AND FEATURES

Central and Southern Europe Conference 
Art exhibition shows women on Ukraine's frontlines

CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania — In the fall of 2023, a group of women working in various capacities on the frontlines, or with soldiers on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine, gathered for a two-week retreat with trauma therapists to share their stories and experiences through art. Each painted their face or body for a photography session. On Feb. 24 — the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine — an exhibition was launched to share and reflect on these stories and the process of connecting. Sarah Putman has the story.
Read story
View Faces of Courage Facebook page
UM News: Ministry offers therapy to Ukrainian refugees

WBIR-NBC
Church hosts Election Day Café

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For 20 years, Central United Methodist Church has set up its Election Day Café for neighbors who come to the church to vote. Church members provide homemade treats and extend hospitality. WBIR has the story. 
Watch video

Greater Northwest Area
Beware of new gift-card scam

WENATCHEE, Wash. — A new, more elaborate version of an old gift-card scam is making the rounds, and it has already affected one United Methodist church. The Rev. Debbie Sperry, pastor at First United Methodist Church of Wenatchee, shared what the congregation experienced in the hope that others could learn from it. Patrick Scriven reports. 
Read story

United Methodist Communications
Building a Bible study for digital culture

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The “Pastoring in the Digital Parish” podcast welcomes back the Rev. Nathan Webb to discuss the innovative approach to Bible study outreach being employed by Checkpoint Church. The study, “Jesus Loves Nerds,” draws on trending video games and anime to engage the church community in a fresh and unconventional way.
Listen to podcast


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 UM News staff.

Wespath
Investors care about morals

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Moral concerns often affect a company’s bottom line, writes Andrew Q. Hendren, chief executive of Wespath Benefits and Investments, in an opinion piece originally published in the Financial Times. Hendren was responding to a business leader’s quote about doing business in Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine. Wespath reprinted the commentary.
Read commentary
 

RESOURCES

Amplify Media
Webinar discusses finding faith amid doubt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Amplify Media, part of the United Methodist Publishing House, will hold a webinar led by the Rev. Adam Hamilton at noon U.S. Central time March 18. This webinar, based on Hamilton’s study “Wrestling With Doubt, Finding Faith,” is designed to engage leaders as they navigate challenging questions and help them foster an environment where both the churched and unchurched can explore faith together.
Learn more
Register 


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