Daily Digest - May 3, 2019

“We just need to look at how we can create a better business model.” — Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, president of Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina.


NEWS AND FEATURES 

Black colleges and universities face challenges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Bennett and Paine colleges have faced accreditation challenges in recent years because of finances — an issue for many small liberal arts institutions. Collaborations and shared services are some of the ways the historically black and United Methodist-related colleges are working to stay healthy. Jim Patterson reports in the final story of a two-part series.
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Closures raise survival questions for small colleges

Dakotas Conference
Debt is big burden for many new seminary students

MITCHELL, S.D. — Students headed for seminary studies often bring along an unwelcome partner — debt from their undergraduate education. Three students in South Dakota talk about working multiple jobs, competing for scholarships and being grateful for generous parents. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Conference focuses on ministering to mentally ill

EASLEY, S.C. — Bethesda United Methodist Church hosted an event to raise awareness and decrease the stigma on people with mental illness. A full day was spent on education and identifying community resources. Jessica Brodie reports.
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Oregon-Idaho Conference
Church leaves rich legacy

SALEM, Ore. — Isolde Knaap still remembers the graciousness of Englewood United Methodist Church in welcoming her family when they emigrated after World War II. That kind of grace helped the church serve its community for more than 100 years. And even after the final worship service, Englewood’s legacy will continue as part of the Open Door Churches of Salem-Keizer ministry. Kristen Caldwell has the story. 
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United Methodist Communications 
Faith and 'Star Wars'

NASHVILLE, Tenn.(UMC.org) — The Rev. Jacob Armstrong answers questions about how he uses pop culture references and sometimes finds inspiration in the movies in a podcast focusing on “Star Wars” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Armstrong leads Providence United Methodist Church near Nashville. The Rev. Joe Iovino hosts this bonus episode of “Get Your Spirit in Shape.”  
Listen to podcast


COMMENTARIES
United Methodist News Service 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 the UMNS staff.

Loyalty and The United Methodist Church
LENEXA, Kan. — The Rev. David Livingston, who strongly opposed the Traditional Plan that passed at the 2019 General Conference, writes about his own current strategy for denominational loyalty. “I will be loyal to The United Methodist Church — not to the church as it is, but to the church as God is calling her to be,” he writes.
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RECENT HEADLINES

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