Daily Digest - October 21, 2021

“My real intent was to make it so that his life work wasn't just lost.” — GW Stark, who produces a podcast based on his late father’s decades of sermons.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Sermons revived 25 years after pastor’s death
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (UM News) — The Son of a Preacher Podcast repurposes the work of the late Rev. Wallace A. Stark, whose treasure trove of 1,300 sermons delivered in Iowa churches was inherited by his son. GW Stark boils the sermons down to a 12-minute or so podcast. He says many are pertinent to events today. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: Podcasts give churches ‘germ-free’ way to minister

Florida Conference
Church’s renewal starts with football
TAMPA, Fla. — One night last year, the Rev. John Legg noticed youth playing football on the open athletic field in the back of Temple Terrace United Methodist Church. Legg later told the congregation, “We’ve been asking God to send us children. Well, 250 of them just showed up on our doorstep.” Joe Henderson has the story.
Read story 

North Texas Conference
Pastors’ walks led to new school music program
DALLAS — Casa View Elementary School has a new music program, Esperanza Strings, thanks to a collaboration that includes Casa Linda United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Dallas, the North Texas Conference and the local organization StringRise. Monica Frazier reports on how pastors’ neighborhood walks led to the idea for the program.
Read story

Western Pennsylvania Conference
Bishop Moore-Koikoi discusses inclusion 
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — In the latest episode of the “Meet in the Middle” podcast, the Rev. Zayzay Kpadeh speaks with Western Pennsylvania Conference Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi about diversity and inclusion. “Meet in the Middle” is a weekly podcast from the conference’s anti-racism team that engages a broad range of topics to promote civil discourse for greater understanding, relationship building and common good. 
Listen to podcast


PRESS RELEASES

Wespath
Henretta promoted at investment agency
GLENVIEW, Ill. — The deputy general counsel at Wespath Benefits and Investments will be promoted to chief legal officer, starting work in that position on Jan. 3. Sheila Saegh Henretta will replace Andrew Hendren, who starts as the chief executive of Wespath on the same day. Henretta will oversee the legal and compliance and internal audit departments and serve as corporate secretary.
Read press release
UM News: Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath


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 the UM News staff.

Rethink Church 
Faith and mental health
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought mental health to the forefront, and churches can be key in supporting those who are struggling. Alan Whitley, a certified peer recovery specialist, explains how faith communities should be a safe place to have conversations about mental health. “It begins with a conversation and the church creating a space where people know that it is OK to not be OK,” he writes.
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Finance and Administration
Webinar on working-from-home best practices
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has scheduled a webinar at 10 a.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 11 on the best practices for remote work. The webinar, led by GCFA human resources professionals, will include tips for developing a “work from home” policy and ideas for a hybrid work environment. The webinar costs $25. 
To register


RECENT HEADLINES

Ministry connects seniors with today’s tech

Retired pastors reap benefits of farming


EVENTS

Tuesday, Oct. 26
The Bible Year webinar: How Studying the Bible Every Day Transforms You