Daily Digest - March 23, 2023

“(The recording studio) will allow many talents that we have in our church to come and perform (and) to convey the word of God through songs.” — John Tambwe-a-Kot, technical director of the Voice of Thunder Choir, on a new church recording studio in South Congo.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Church installs Christian recording studio in Congo
LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — A longtime dream became a reality for church choirs and directors in the South Congo Conference. With financial support from Connexio, the missional network of the Evangelical Methodist Church, The United Methodist Church installed an audio recording studio in the conference. Bishop Owan Kasap invited choir members to use the new resource and help sustain it. John Kaumba has the story.
Read story

Holston Conference
United Methodist works to prevent suicide
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pat Newman has attended a lot of funerals, she says, but the most painful happened about six years ago, following a local teen’s suicide. The United Methodist’s deep concern led her to organize “Suicide Prevention Day” on April 29 at Bookwalter United Methodist Church. Annette Spence reports.
Read story 
Learn more and register 

Louisiana  Conference 
Judge sides with conference in disaffiliation suit
BATON ROUGE, La. — A state district court judge on March 23 ruled that the Louisiana Conference is protected by the U.S. Constitutional guarantee of the separation of church and state in a lawsuit brought by a group of retired United Methodist pastors. The plaintiffs sued the Louisiana Conference and its board of trustees to force a change in the way the church is handling the process by which local churches can leave The United Methodist Church. The retired pastors also asked the courts to stop pending votes from local churches wanting to disaffiliate. The plaintiffs were given 30 days to amend or appeal.
Read story 

United Methodist Communications
‘The Recap’ rounds up latest news 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the latest episode of "The Recap," watch excerpts from Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton’s recent State of The United Methodist Church address, learn about existing and new congregations that are growing and thriving across the U.S. and check out #BeUMC social media posts that show how God is at work in congregations and communities around the world. 
Watch latest episode


PRESS RELEASES

Alabama-West Florida Conference
Conference plans to restructure
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama-West Florida Conference Bishop David Graves announced a task force to address structuring matters of the conference. The committee is responsible for drafting proposals related to the number of districts, district lines, district offices, the episcopal residence, the conference office and conference lines. “On the other side of the division, we will be well-positioned to move forward with Kingdom-building work,” the bishop said. 
Read bishop’s announcement 


RESOURCES

Hope Springs Eternal
Pastor holds conversations on church future
HONAKER, Va. — The Rev. Natalie Justice, a pastor in the Holston Conference, is hosting “Hope Springs Eternal,” videotaped conversations with leaders across the denomination. Her goal is to have positive conversations about The United Methodist Church’s future. Her first interview is with Kay Kotan, prolific writer and clergy coach. Upcoming guests include the Revs. Matt Rawle, Rachel Billups, Michael Slaughter and Adam Hamilton. 
Watch video
See more from Natalie Justice 


RECENT HEADLINES

Native immersion explores culture, horrors

Ask The UMC’s Pioneers in Methodism: Sarah Mallet


EVENTS

Monday, April 10-Friday, April 21
From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon

Monday, April 17-Friday, May 5
Online course: Planning for the Church Emergency