Daily Digest - September 30, 2021

“You're going to get the most authentic experience on first Americans past, present and future that exists today.”Ginny Underwood, marketing and communications manager for the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Native American museum makes belated debut

OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — The First Americans Museum is open to the public after a protracted birthing process. United Methodist Native Americans involved with the new museum say it’s worth the wait. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story

Missouri Conference
Lay pastor has ALS but keeps preaching 

FULTON, Mo. — Though amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has robbed Rick Matson of the ability to enunciate clearly, it hasn’t kept him from preaching. The lay pastor of Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church uses a text-to-voice service to keep sharing the word. Fred Koenig reports. 
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South Carolina Conference
Fresh paint, positive change for tiny church 

GREENVILLE, S.C. — People might dismiss St. John United Methodist Church as a dying congregation. But church members want people to know what God has been doing for the past 18 months: working a miracle in their midst. Part of the revitalization involved a fresh coat of paint. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES

Kentucky, Red Bird, North Carolina conferences
Bishop Fairley debuts video/podcast series

CRESTWOOD, Ky. — Beginning Oct. 5, Bishop Leonard Fairley will release a monthly video blog/podcast called “Grace for the Future,” which explores different aspects of the means of grace that inform people’s lives together. Fairley leads the Kentucky, Red Bird and North Carolina conferences, and “Grace for the Future” will feature guests from all three conferences. He is announcing the new series on Sept. 30 as part of International Podcast Day. 
Read press release
Listen and watch
United Methodist Communications podcast resources


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.

UM Disability
Ideas for Blind Awareness Month

LAUREL, Md. — October is Blind Awareness Month, but United Methodists need to see and care for their siblings who are blind or have vision loss beyond this month, writes the Rev. Leo Yates Jr. He offers ideas to mark the observance and make churches more accessible. 
Read commentary


RESOURCES

Society of St. Andrew
2021 Advent devotionals available

BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew, a gleaning ministry, invites Christians to seek signs in the world around them with its free devotions this Advent season. This year’s theme is “Signs of The Sacred.” Advent is Nov. 28-Dec. 24 this year.
To order
UM News: Reclaiming more food to fill pandemic gaps



RECENT HEADLINES

Handbook aims to reach unvaccinated with compassion


2021 annual conference reports


EVENTS

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