“As for the difficulties, we are human beings. Until we have finished walking, we continue to swing the arms.” — Raphaël Aboua on his ministry as a lay pastor in Côte d’Ivoire.
Local pastors crucial in Africa, Philippines
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — Non-ordained local pastors or lay pastors make up a large part of the clergy in The United Methodist Church’s central conferences. Isaac Broune and Sam Hodges feature Raphaël Aboua, who oversees 11 churches in Côte d’Ivoire, in the latest story in the UMNS series “Trending Local: The Rise of United Methodist Local Pastors.”
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Bishop, UMCOR leader visit fire‑stricken area
LAKEPORT, Calif. (UMNS) — Bishop Warner H. Brown Jr. and the Rev. Denise Honeycutt, a top United Methodist Committee on Relief official, led a delegation of United Methodists to visit pastors and volunteers involved in fire response efforts in Lake County, California. Larry R. Hygh Jr. reports for the California-Nevada Conference.
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“Do No Harm” event tackles sexual misconduct
CHICAGO (UMNS) — How should church leaders prevent and respond to sexual misconduct? The denomination will have its third sexual ethics summit, “Do No Harm,” on Oct 15-17 in Chicago to offer answers to this question. Registration for the event closes today, Sept. 30. Jenn Meadows of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women tells why this event is important.
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Taking action on Alzheimer’s
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Recognizing that someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease every 67 seconds, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society is collaborating with USAgainstAlzheimer’s to mobilize people of faith to take action against this devastating disease. One way to take action is to sign a petition asking Congress to pass critical research funding.
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Church donates $1.5 million to SMU
DALLAS (UMNS) — Highland Park United Methodist Church is donating $1.5 million to its next-door neighbor, Southern Methodist University. SMU’s Perkins School of Theology, one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries, is getting $1 million to endow the Umphrey Lee Professorship in Methodist History. The balance will go to supporting SMU students who aspire to church leadership roles.
Read North Texas Conference announcement
Communications agency names chief technology officer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Danny Mai is the new chief technology officer for United Methodist Communications. In this executive-level role, Mai will lead technology-related teams.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Sunday, Oct. 4
World Communion Sunday — United Methodists will join other Christians in celebrating Holy Communion. United Methodist churches are also encouraged to receive a special offering to support scholarships for ethnic undergraduate and graduate students. Those gifts often enable first-generation students to attend college. Resources for World Communion Sunday
Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 5-7
Young clergy event “revitup! ... For a Lifetime of Ministry” — The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits will hold this event for young clergy ages 25-39 at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The event features classes on United Methodist benefits, managing cash and reducing debt, finding money for ministry initiatives and other topics. The Rev. Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg Church will provide the keynote talk, and Chuck Bell Music Ministries will provide music. Details
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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