Daily Digest - September 18, 2023

“It is clear that education is power, especially for the girl child in Zimbabwe.” — Itai Chitora, on receiving a scholarship from United Methodist women in Zimbabwe. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Empowering marginalized children through education
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The United Methodist women’s group in the Mutare District has established a scholarship program to provide educational opportunities to underprivileged children. During the women’s district conference, urban and rural circuits highlighted the positive impact the program is having on students and their communities. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.
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How to watch jurisdictional trial
GLENVIEW, Ill. — The jurisdictional trial in which Bishop Minerva Carcaño is a respondent will be accessible via a livestream. Online observers will need to complete a terms-of-use form. Upon accepting the terms, the livestream will be accessible for each individual session. This process will need to be completed for each court time — morning, afternoon and evening — as applicable. The trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. U.S. Central time Sept. 19, and at 8 a.m. on subsequent days. The trial is expected to proceed through Sept. 22.
Complete form
Read press release

11 Alive
Atlanta church flooded
ATLANTA — The fellowship hall of Central United Methodist Church was flooded with 4 feet of water last week after storms led to flash flooding in south Atlanta. Trustees and other church members have been assessing the damage and beginning preliminary repairs. The church houses the music department of Clark Atlanta University, raising concerns for the students who rely on the facility. The sanctuary of the church was safe to use for Sunday worship, said the Rev. Vance Ross, the church's pastor. Karys Belger has the story.
Read story and watch video

Great Plains Conference
Remnant group starts worship community
IMPERIAL, Neb. — Faith United Methodist Church was born out of a successful — albeit very close — disaffiliation vote by the former Imperial First United Methodist Church. The new worship community drew 50 people to a Sept. 10 service, despite heavy rain. David Burke reports on Faith’s early days.
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PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Communications
Learning week helps revitalize church outreach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications plans to hold “Communications Learning Week: Communications That Transform,” an ecumenical training opportunity, from Oct.16 to 20. All of the learning week content will be recorded and stored in a portal that participants will have access to for six months after the event. Registration is open through Oct. 12, with an early-bird 20% discount available for people signing up by Sept. 30.
Read press release
Learn more and register


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.

Indiana Conference
Doing your part to prevent suicides
CARMEL, Ind. — September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but Bishop Julius C. Trimble says everyone should do their part all through the year to prevent it from happening. “I pray we will join the choir that sings a new song of love over stigma and help over holding secrets,” Trimble writes.
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RESOURCES

United Methodist Rural Advocates
Grants available to rural churches
CONCORD, N.C. — Five $500 grants are available for rural churches that wish to start or continue an outreach program to attract young people. The deadline to submit applications for the grants from United Methodist Rural Advocates is Jan. 10. Winners will be notified by Feb. 1.
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Application


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EVENTS

Monday, Sept. 25-Saturday, Oct. 7
Online course: Loving People and Planet in the Name of God

Monday, Oct. 2-Monday, Nov. 20
Online course: Dreams — Unopened Letters From God