Daily Digest: May 2, 2014

“As Christians we are in the lifesaving business and we need to help save our children, youth and citizens from this senseless and random killing. While one death is too many, what gives me hope is that I am also aware that our churches are in the business of saving lives through their various outreaches into their communities.” – Bishop Sally Dyck.

Church delegation arrives in South Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan (UMNS) — A high-level ecumenical delegation representing church organizations, organized by the World Council of Churches, will arrive in South Sudan May 2 amid continuing conflict in the country with an imminent threat of widespread hunger and malnutrition among its people. The delegation will meet with church leaders and government officials, urging immediate actions for peace and reconciliation.

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Bishop Dyck leads effort to stop violence
CHICAGO (UMNS) — On April 28, Bishop Sally Dyck joined dozens of United Methodists at the site where Leonore Draper, a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, was fatally shot. “We gathered in a misty rain,” said Dyck. “We walked up and down the street, invited the community to come join us for a prayer vigil, and called for, prayed for, and committed ourselves to stopping the violence that has gripped our city’s streets.”

Read the bishop’s remarks

Saint Paul at OCU nurtures Native Americans
OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) — United Methodist-related Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University is giving Native Americans new reasons to hope, said the Rev. Anita Phillips, executive director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan of The United Methodist Church. The seminary is one of the programs providing educational opportunities to Native Americans, a goal supported by special offerings on Native American Ministries Sunday on May 4.

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Church Kitchens Institute names United Methodist ‘Blue Ribbon Church Kitchen’
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UMNS) — The Church Kitchens Institute named nine church kitchens in five states as 2014 “Blue Ribbon Church Kitchens.” Nominated by participants in the United Methodist Women Assembly, the kitchens are characterized by exemplary hospitality, celebration, community and sustainability. The institute, which sponsored an exhibit at the assembly, announces the winning churches.

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Church to offer sermons in three languages
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UMNS) — Thanks to a $6,000 grant from the Western North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference, Central United Methodist Church soon will offer its Sunday sermons in English, Spanish and Zo, a language of Myanmar.

The Charlotte Observer has the story

World Labyrinth Day celebrated
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Scarritt-Bennett Center will join in the World Labyrinth Day celebrations May 3, from 1-2:15 p.m. The event will focus on spiritual awareness, spiritual interactions and meditational activities.

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North Carolina hit by multiple tornadoes
GARNER, N.C. (UMNS) — Multiple tornadoes, including at least one EF3 and three EF2s, touched down in North Carolina April 26-27 damaging more than 300 homes, injuring at least 16 people, and killing one infant girl in Edenton. Steve Taylor, North Carolina Annual (regional) Conference, has the story.

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Clark Atlanta awarded $7.4 million for cancer research
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities awarded a $7.4 million renewal grant to the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development at Clark Atlanta University, one of The United Methodist Church’s historically black colleges and universities.

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Teens with disabilities sparkle at special prom
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMNS) — Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis is among the churches that organized the Memphis Joy Prom that gave teens with disabilities a special night including the red-carpet treatment. The prom was featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and made the front of Yahoo news.

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