Daily Digest - May 10, 2023

“We are asking for it to be framed a different way to enable us to make the kind of shifts that the denomination needs to make.” — Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton on the bishops’ recommended General Conference session. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Bishops call for General Conference in 2026
CHICAGO (UM News) — As they deal with rising church disaffiliations, United Methodist bishops see a need for the denomination’s top lawmaking body to hold an additional meeting in 2026. The bishops’ recommendation supports a ruling by the denomination’s top court. In the meantime, the denomination’s finance agency is asking the church court to reconsider its ruling. Heather Hahn reports.
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Florida Conference
Institute supports worship ministers
LAKELAND, Fla. — Music is a vital component of any worship service. But what kind of music? That’s where the Institute of Modern Worship comes in. The institute, which began in the Florida Conference, aims to support local church worship leaders. Joe Henderson has the story. 
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Dakotas Conference
Nursing students help at reservation
MITCHELL, S.D. — Nursing students from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire come twice a year to help out at Rosebud Reservation in southwestern South Dakota. It is an opportunity to learn about nursing care and Native American culture through hands-on clinical experience. In addition, students learn how culture and lifestyle impact health care practices. The Rev. Linda Baldock and Doreen Gosmire have the story. 
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Upper New York Conference
Church program teaches kids to love themselves
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — When the Rev. Anne Canfield was appointed to Watertown First United Methodist Church in 2019, there was one child in her church, but she was determined to change that. Today, she has 26 children enrolled in a free Wednesday afternoon childcare program called “A Little Child Will Lead Us.” Shannon Hodson reports. 
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Church and Society
Agency urges Congress to choose ‘grace over greed’
WASHINGTON — In a May 2 Action Alert, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society asked church members to contact their elected representatives, urging the 118th Congress to make decisions that “prioritize grace over greed.” Quoting the Book of Resolutions (4064), the agency encouraged a “theology of abundance” as Congress approaches policy decisions on immigration, health care, peacebuilding, poverty and climate justice.
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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. 

Global Ministries
Mutual respect key to mission partnership
ATLANTA — A lot of intense listening took place during meetings of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in Mozambique last month, writes Roland Fernandes, the agency’s top executive. Attendees included representatives from each annual conference in Africa, executive committee board members and senior staff and representatives from other United Methodist agencies. “The intention … for this event was to intensely listen and learn about our partners’ contexts, priorities and vision for God’s mission in Africa,” Fernandes said.
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RESOURCES

Native American International Caucus
Family Camp is July 20-23
SILVER LAKE, N.Y. — Trauma healing circles, arts and crafts and legislation education about Native American issues will all be a part of this year’s Family Camp, which will take place July 20-23 at Asbury Retreat Center. There also will be sessions on Native American boarding schools and missing and murdered indigenous people. 
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RECENT HEADLINES

Historian urges bishops: Reclaim ‘vile’ heritage

Legal forum offers guidance for time of schism


EVENTS

Tuesday, May 16
Voices From the Field: Regional Missionaries — Living the Dream

Tuesday, July 25-Friday, July 28
YOUTH 2023