Daily Digest - May 9, 2023

“At four in the afternoon, I submitted ‘to be more vile’ and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation.” — Methodism’s founder, John Wesley. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Historian urges bishops: Reclaim ‘vile’ heritage
CHICAGO (UM News) — At a time of shrinking institutions and church rolls, a United Methodist historian challenged bishops to take inspiration from John Wesley and submit to being “more vile.” Ashley Boggan, top executive of Archives and History, encouraged episcopal leaders to learn from history to work toward a brighter future. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story

Bishop releases statement on expected trial
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (UM News) —  United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño, who has been suspended for more than a year, is facing a church trial after a Western Jurisdiction committee brought charges under church law. The charges are undisclosed. "While I regret that my complaint process has reached the place of an expected trial, I continue to have faith in our disciplinary procedures, and even greater faith in our God who does bring forth light in moments of darkness and healing in brokenness,” she said in a May 9 statement. “I am in prayer for a trial process that is led by our United Methodist commitment to fairness and justice."
UM News: Suspended bishop moves toward church trial
Western Jurisdiction statement

Rio Texas Conference
Bishop addresses crash into migrants
SAN ANTONIO — Bishop Robert Schnase, who leads the Rio Texas and New Mexico conferences, joins with those in mourning after an individual crashed his car into 18 migrants waiting at a bus stop in Brownsville, Texas. The crash took the lives of eight people. “We will continue to work towards justice and offer dignity in the best traditions of The United Methodist Church,” Schnase wrote.
Read statement

Alabama-West Florida, Tennessee-Western Kentucky conferences
New homes started for displaced churchgoers 
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Two conferences have started new ministries to give people who feel displaced by church disaffiliations a place to belong and grow in faith. The Vine is a new hybrid (online and in-person) community of faith of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. The Alabama-West Florida Conference has established the General Church Roll as a place for people to remain connected United Methodists while looking for a more permanent church home.
Read about The Vine
Read about the General Church Roll

Oklahoma Conference
Late pastor’s family retraces his steps
BUFFALO, Okla. — The late Rev. Howard Roberts served United Methodist churches across Oklahoma during a career of nearly four decades. His descendants recently made a grand tour of the churches Roberts led in the western part of the state, a poignant journey that caused them to reflect on the connectional nature of United Methodism. 
Read story

Decaturish.com
Ministry builds housing for young people 
DECATUR, Ga. — Wellroot, an agency of the North Georgia Conference, recently held a blessing service for the property where it plans to provide homes for up to 30 young people aging out of foster care. The United Methodist ministry offers programs related to foster care, transitional and independent living and family housing. Zoe Seiler has the story.
Read story

 
PRESS RELEASES

Iliff School of Theology
Butler to be 17th Iliff president
DENVER — The Rev. Lee Hayward Butler has been tapped as the 17th president of Iliff School of Theology, the school announced. Butler leaves his position as vice president of academic affairs and academic dean at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He will begin work July 1 at Iliff, one of 13 seminaries affiliated with The United Methodist Church.
Read press release


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EVENTS

Monday, May 15-Saturday, June 3
Lay Servant Ministries course: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs

Monday, May 22-Saturday, May 27
Online course: Vocation Bible School for Adults