Daily Digest - March 28, 2019

“For the last couple of years, there’s been questions from a growing amount of especially really committed, idealistic students, wondering if The United Methodist Church is where they should be.” — The Rev. David McAllister-Wilson, president of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, on the denomination’s debate over sexuality hurting recruitment.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Seminary leaders stress inclusiveness after GC2019 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Leaders of most United Methodist seminaries in the U.S. that train clergy for the denomination are stressing their inclusive policies after the special General Conference affirmed the church’s LGBTQ bans. Jim Patterson reports.
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North Texas Conference
An archivist for the ages
DALLAS — Frances Long has lovingly tended and enhanced the North Texas Conference archives for three decades. She’s also worked closely with many local churches to preserve the records of their past. The conference shares Long’s own story, including her encounter with the Birdman of Alcatraz.
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South Carolina Advocate
Native American pilgrimage highlights heritage, history
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Native Americans still feel invisible in The United Methodist Church, said the Native American missioner for the South Carolina Conference. “People don’t understand what Native Americans have done,” said the Rev. Cheryl Toothe. A May 17-18 pilgrimage provides knowledge about the heritage, culture and contributions of Native Americans in South Carolina. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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World Council of Churches, World Methodist Council 
World Methodists join forum on church unity
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — An ecumenical prayer service in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame marked the opening of a March 26-28 consultation of five Christian world communions on the search for full, visible church unity. The event focuses on the historic importance of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, affirmed by the World Methodist Council in 2006.
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Read 2006 statement of affirmation by World Methodist Council 


RESOURCES 

Higher Education and Ministry
Bilingual edition of mentoring guide available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — “Mentors as Instruments of God’s Call: Biblical Reflections” by Justo L. González is now available as a special bilingual edition. Readers can follow along in English or Spanish in the new edition of this mentoring guide published by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Read press release

Discipleship Ministries
Video series can help win disciples
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new teaching series offers instruction in making disciples for Christ by emphasizing relationships and stopping attempts to fix churches. The “See All the People: Discipleship Begins with Relationship” course is free and available through the internet.
Read press release
Enroll


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