Daily Digest - October 03, 2012

"With some 925 million hungry people in the world, (Church World Service) is encouraging people to recognize access to nutritionally sufficient food as a human right and either begin or join in ongoing conversations and advocacy around hunger and malnutrition." - Maurice A. Bloem of United Methodist partner Church World Service.

Bishop calls funds issue 'mud-slinging'

KAMPALA, Uganda (UMNS) - Bishop Daniel Wandabula, who leads the East Africa Annual (regional) Conference, says he blames the decisions of church agencies to withhold funds from his conference on a campaign "of malice, mud-slinging, character lynching and insurrection." The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination's finance agency, recommended Sept. 27 that all United Methodist bodies cut off funds to the East Africa Conference until further notice. The agency's board also filed a formal complaint against Wandabula with the Africa Central Conference College of Bishops. The Board of Global Ministries, the denomination's mission agency, announced Aug. 8 the decision to suspend all funds indefinitely to the East Africa Annual Conference.

Placemats make point on food rights

NEW YORK (UMNS) - To encourage United Methodists to talk about world food production over lunch or dinner, hunger advocates are providing the placemats. The 2012 theme for World Food Day on Oct. 16 is "Agricultural cooperatives - key to feeding the world."
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United Methodist Women counters hate speech

NEW YORK (UMNS) - United Methodist Women was part of a coalition of community and faith-based organizations that gathered at the steps of city hall in Manhattan Sept. 25 and UMW unveiled an ad countering the anti-Muslim hate speech of another ad posted in 10 New York City subway stations.
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Discipleship board organizes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The United Methodist Board of Discipleship's new, smaller board, in its first organizational session, has selected Mountain Sky Area Bishop Elaine Stanovsky as president and the Rev. Eric Park, a district superintendent from Western Pennsylvania, as vice president for the coming four years. The board, which was reduced to 23 members from 60 members by the 2012 General Conference, also created a new working structure and meeting schedule.
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East Africa leaders attend training in Kenya

NAIVASHA, Kenya (UMNS) - A team of United Methodist leaders from the East Africa Episcopal Area has undergone training on the best Social Principles practices. The training was held with support from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Countries of Uganda and Kenya were the first to come on board.
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Pastor mixes hogs and gospel

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (UMNS) - The Rev. Kenton Van, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Fort Scott, loves the Lord and appreciates a good motorcycle. He combines both in his ministry.
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Ecumenical news service suspends operations

TORONTO (UMNS) - Ecumenical News International announced Oct. 1 that its ENInews service is suspending operations, effective immediately, as it seeks emergency funding for the remainder of 2012. "We regret taking this step, but despite a massive reorganization, ENInews is feeling the effect of the deep cuts from its historic supporters as well as from non-payment by quite a number of subscribers," said the Rev. David Harris, president of ENI and publisher of the Presbyterian Record.
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