Daily Digest - May 23, 2023

“(Jesus) was political … because of the sense of challenging the status quo. He was not interested in following all the rules and regulations.” —  The Rev. Bonnie McCubbin


NEWS AND FEATURES

A pilgrimage through Methodist history
BALTIMORE (UM News) — Sixteen travelers traversed Washington and Baltimore, taking in United Methodist churches, cemeteries and other historic sites on a social justice pilgrimage. The group got to contrast The United Methodist Building in a tony part of Washington with a tiny, dank, brick building at nearby Mt. Zion Cemetery, where escaped slaves hid as they tried to make their way to freedom along the underground railroad. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story

The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada
Carlton Young, hymnal editor, dies at 97
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Carlton R. “Sam” Young, editor of The United Methodist Hymnal, died May 21 at age 97. He was a force in United Methodism and beyond for decades, composing and arranging music, editing hymnals and song books, directing music for General Conferences, teaching seminary students, leading touring choirs and writing extensively about hymnody. UM News is preparing a feature obituary for posting soon.
Read announcement by The Hymn Society
Read 2020 profile of Young
Read a review of Young’s recent memoir

Michigan Conference
Helping refugees resettle
LANSING, Mich. — Marcia Etu says helping an Afghan refugee family make a home in her community has been her most life-changing missions experience. Burnt Factory United Methodist Church in Stephenson, Virginia, had the resources to assist the Afghan family with health care, transportation and legal issues. James Deaton reports on the church’s outreach and how other congregations can welcome those looking for refuge and opportunities.
Read story
 
South Georgia Conference
Churches merge to make larger impact
JESUP, Ga. — When Jesup First and Epworth United Methodist churches began praying about their future as one congregation, they knew it was more than just sharing a building. The merger would reunite First with a congregation it planted, with the goal of having a bigger impact for the Kingdom of God. Jamie Denty has the story.
Read story 

North Georgia Conference
After court ruling, special session planned
ATLANTA — North Georgia Conference Bishop Robin Dease plans to call a special session on Nov. 18 for the conference to vote on church disaffiliation requests. While details are still being worked out, she said the plans for the special session follow a decision by a Cobb County Court judge to clear the way for 185 churches to vote on disaffiliation. District superintendents will be scheduling church votes during the summer months. 
Watch video and read announcement
UM News: Judge lifts North Georgia disaffiliation pause 
See 2023 special sessions schedule

Peninsula-Delaware Conference
United Methodists ‘walk for a cause’ 
CHESWOLD, Del. — Members of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference’s Committee on Native American Ministries gathered May 7 for a walk to bring awareness and action regarding the missing and murdered indigenous women movement. The movement has gained momentum in recent years to raise the alarm on the high rates of assault, abduction and murder of indigenous women and girls. Conference staff have the story.
Read story

Denver-Next 9News
At this church, bells still ring for George Floyd
DENVER — Three years after George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, members of Park Hill United Methodist Church still gather outside the church each Monday to ring bells to remember and call for racial justice. They ring the bells for 9 minutes and 28 seconds, the length of time an officer knelt on Floyd. Byron Reed reports.
Watch video 


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