Daily Digest - March 16, 2015

"We have everything other hospitals offer and we are among the best in the region. We are aiming for excellence." — Alfred Degny, speaking of the hospital he oversees,  Dabou (United Methodist) Hospital in Côte d’Ivoire.

Small hospital fills large need in Côte d’Ivoire

DABOU, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — Dabou United Methodist Hospital is small but has a big reputation for quality medical care that makes it loom large in the lives of many people. Kathy L. Gilbert and Mike DuBose have the story.
Read story and post a comment

Swenson joins solidarity visit to Israel, Palestine

JERUSALEM (WCC) — Four World Council of Churches officials, including United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, co-vice-moderator of the WCC Central Committee, visited Israel and Palestine March 7-12 to express solidarity with the churches and people there and support peace initiatives.
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5 out-of-the-box Easter ideas

MOBILE, Ala. (UMNS) — As people all over the world celebrate Christ’s resurrection, churches have an incredible opportunity to connect with their communities, writes the Rev. Jeremy Steele. He shares five ideas from across the United Methodist connection that can help churches do just that.
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Bishop honors great-grandma who shaped his faith

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) — Arkansas Area Bishop Gary Mueller, for all intents and purposes, grew up in an unchurched family. His Great-Grandma Williams stepped into the breach with letters that helped him to follow Christ. He pays tribute to the woman who guided his Christian walk in a column for the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
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Social justice agency awards $120,000 in grants

CHEVY CHASE, Md. (UMNS) — During its recent spring meeting, the board of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society approved nearly $120,000 in grants to ministries. The grants went to ethnic/minority local church ministries, and programs related to the denomination’s Special Sundays for Human Relations Day and Peace with Justice.

Read more about the board meeting

Lent Quiz: What snack food has significance during Lent?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — When we think of Lent, many of us think of avoiding snack foods, but one may have symbolic significance during Lent. Do you know which one?
Take today's quiz

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.

Tuesday, March 17
Livestream of "Moving Faith Communities to Fruitful Conversation on Race" panel — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. EDT. Wesley Theological Seminary's Institute for Community Engagement will have a panel to examine, theologically and strategically, race relations in the United States. Among the speakers will be Krista Tippett, host of NPR's "On Being," Michel Martin, also of NPR and a student at Wesley, as well as United Methodist clergy. To see list of speakers and to watch livestream.

Webinar "The Generosity Project: A Cross+Generational Approach to Stewardship" — 7 to 8 p.m. EDT. The Generosity Project is based on these beliefs: (1) All generations are to be equipped as stewards of God’s abundant grace. (2) Generosity is essential to the daily expression of one's faith and best formed and practiced in households, with the support of the congregation. (3) When values and finances are discussed among people of all ages, trust is built and faith nurtured. (4) The understanding of stewardship needs to be expanded. (5) As Christians, our lives, identity and daily decisions as consumers are shaped by God’s Story in Jesus. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.


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