Daily Digest - May 5, 2023

“We regret that a just resolution has not been attained.” — Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, president of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops, about charges against Bishop Minerva Carcaño.


TODAY’S HEADLINES

Suspended bishop moves toward church trial
CHICAGO (UM News) — The Western Jurisdiction announced that a committee has determined enough evidence exists to bring charges against Bishop Minerva Carcaño to trial. Carcaño has been suspended for more than a year. The news comes as the Council of Bishops, meeting this week, has been hearing conflicting calls on whether to intervene in the case. Heather Hahn reports.
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UM News: Conflicting actions sought on bishop’s suspension

Korean leaders voice hope for church, despite exits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Korean United Methodist leaders sounded notes of hope and commitment to The United Methodist Church during a meeting on the future of the denomination. “I see no justification for leaving The United Methodist Church, which has loved and nurtured the Korean churches for the past 50 to 60 years,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. One leader predicted that 40 of the denomination’s 280 Korean churches would disaffiliate. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
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United Methodist Communications
When a ‘First Church’ decides to change
MIAMI, FL. — Eight years ago, the people at First United Methodist Church of Miami realized that its history and prestige weren’t going to keep it alive forever. The exterior cross was rusty, the roof was leaking and the sanctuary pulpit had been eroded by termites. But a church committee found a way to honor its past and grow into the future. The Rev. Audrey Warren and Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr. have the story. 
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United Methodist Communications
The story of ‘Blessed Assurance’
NEW YORK — One of the most beloved hymns in The United Methodist Church is a divinely inspired collaboration between two enduring Methodist women of faith. “Blessed Assurance” celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2023. The hymn has been recorded by Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, CeCe Winans, Glen Campbell, Third Day and others. Crystal Caviness has the story. 
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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.

Discipleship Ministries
Partnering for Discipleship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Partnership between clergy and laity is the key to starting a sustainable, intentional discipleship pathway in a local church, said the Rev. T.J. Mount, a United Methodist local licensed pastor in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Mount offers four steps that can help get the job done.
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RESOURCES

Wisconsin Conference
Website preserves preacher’s legacy
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — A website has been launched to preserve and honor the work of a United Methodist pastor on the occasion of his 100th birthday. The Rev. Ellsworth Kalas died in 2015 at 92. The website contains radio devotionals, newsletter columns and books written by the beloved clergyman.
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Visit website


EVENTS

Monday, May 15-Friday, May 26
Online course: Leading Public Prayer 

Monday, June 5-Saturday, June 24
Online course: Transforming the One-Room Sunday School Classroom


TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Amid rupture, bishops called to renew church
CHICAGO (UM News) — Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged his episcopal colleagues to take time to grieve church disaffiliations but then get to work for renewal. He spoke to bishops gathering for their first in-person meeting in more than three years. Heather Hahn reports. 
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Legal forum offers guidance for time of schism
CHICAGO (UM News) — United Methodist bishops, conference legal advisers and other church leaders met to share insights on dealing with church disaffiliations. The leaders got a status update on lawsuits involving church withdrawals. They also discussed how to work toward a future with hope. Heather Hahn reports.
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Ramping up the fight against drug abuse
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe is helping raise awareness about the harms of drug and substance abuse and the importance of rehabilitation. Local churches are focused on community awareness and outreach programs such as clean-up campaigns, workshops, social activities for youth and prayer retreats. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Consultation charts way for missional church
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UM News) — More than 80 delegates and partners from Africa met recently with United Methodist Global Ministries staff to discuss the future of mission on the continent. “The whole purpose,” said Roland Fernandes, the agency’s top executive, “is for us to … listen and engage our partners in Africa in the true spirit of mutuality” as the denomination moves from being a missionary church to a missional church. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Poem by Bishop Hee-Soo Jung 

New caucus supports African bishops, regionalization
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (UM News) — A new caucus, the United Methodist Africa Forum, met to affirm the unity of the church, upholding traditional views on human sexuality and reorganizing the denomination into regions. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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North Georgia Conference
Conference to appeal court decisions in disaffiliation case 
ATLANTA — The Columbia County Court has granted motions for injunctions ordering the North Georgia Conference to allow two United Methodist churches to proceed with the disaffiliation process. The conference had ordered a pause on disaffiliations due to concerns about misinformation. That action resulted in more than 180 churches suing the conference to leave. The court orders allow Mann-Mize United Methodist Church and Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church to hold votes on disaffiliation. The conference said it will appeal the court’s decisions.
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UM News: 187 churches sue North Georgia Conference