"I wanted to offer something during the Easter season that would keep people focused on the Resurrection." - The Rev. Kathy Barba Pierce of High Point, N.C., on her church's Stations of the Resurrection.
Reveling in the Resurrection
HIGH POINT, N.C. (UMNS) - The celebration of Christ's victory over death lasts far longer than Easter lily blooms and Sunday's chocolate bunnies. The Easter season lasts for six weeks, seven Sundays on the liturgical calendar, offering time for continued wonder and celebration. To help Christians experience the Resurrection in a personal way, Interpreter OnLine reports that some churches create a "Stations of the Resurrection" experience.
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A Lenten social experiment
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Sophia Agtarap, minister of engagement for United Methodist Communications' Rethink Church, decided that one way to approach the Lenten journey was with a Bible in one hand and a smartphone in the other. The result was an online community that shared more than 19,000 images reflecting different topics of Lent including silence, help and love.
Read blog about the project
See images
The untold story of African AIDS relief
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - In this country, publicly discussing sexual matters was previously unheard of. However, The United Methodist Church has taken a leading role in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS, supporting affected families and providing palliative care for the terminally ill. As stories of great suffering and lack of knowledge saturate media coverage, few consider how some places in Africa might serve as a case study in loving-kindness.
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Documentary tells story of bishop turned exile
BATESVILLE, Ark. (UMNS) - The Rev. Bob Hager, a retired United Methodist pastor in Arkansas, has directed the documentary "Black Marks on White Paper," which tells the story of Liberia's United Methodist Bishop Bennie Warner. He was elected Liberia's vice president in 1977, but a military coup toppled his government while he was attending the 1980 United Methodist General Conference. He was left in exile but spent the next 33 years as an effective "missionary to America." The premiere of "Black Marks on White Paper" will take place at 6 p.m. CT Friday, April 5, as a part of the Ozark Foothills Film Fest on the campus of the University of Arkansas Community College of Batesville. Tickets cost $5.
Learn more and see film clips
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share with others, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
April 1 - Deadline for seminary students to apply for two internships at Oak Forest United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. Interns, who will receive a small stipend, will live and work in Barnabas House, the church's counseling and social work center. Send a letter outlining your interest in the internship, a copy of your rsum and three letters of recommendation to: Summer Internship, Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 2415 Fair Park Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72204. Learn more.
April 1 - Deadline for nominations of the Foundation for Evangelism's Culture of Call Church award, which recognizes a United Methodist congregation that encourages young people to respond to God's call to full-time Christian service. Nomination forms
April 2 - Deadline to register for free webinar on the intersection of maternal health and domestic violence, 3 p.m. ET, April 3, sponsored by United Methodist Women and Healthy Families, Healthy Planet. Details
April 2 - Free lecture on "Caring for our Aging Parents: Dementia and Mental Health Issues,"7 p.m. ET, Killearn United Methodist Church, 2800 Shamrock St., Tallahassee, Fla. Details.
April 3 - Deadline to RSVP for "Rethinking the Mission: Developing a District Strategy" workshop, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ET, April 11, Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, N.C. Details
April 3-7 - "Caring for God's Creation" retreat, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, N.C. Details
April 5 - Deadline to sign up for South Central Small Church Leadership Institute, April 14-18, Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center, Fayetteville, Ark. $199. Details
April 5-7; April 12-14; April 19-21; Nov. 8-10 - Confirmation Retreat Weekends at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Details.
April 5-8 - Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace and Justice, supported by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Details
April 11 - Free webinar "The Pastor's Moving - the SPRC Role," 6:30 p.m. CT, tips for saying goodbye and welcoming pastors for members of staff-parish relations committees from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register
April 11 - Deadline to register for online course, "United Methodism 101," April 17-May 29, provided by United Methodist Communications. Cost is $9.99. Details.
April 13 - "Own Your Health Now Event" health fair, 8 a.m. to noon CT, Bonner Springs, Kan., sponsored by area United Methodist churches, Rethink Church, Own Your Health now nonprofit. Details.
April 14 - Native American Ministries Sunday, in which special offering benefits Native American outreach within annual conferences and provides seminary scholarships to Native Americans. Details and to donate.
April 16 - Free webinar "Leading Group Discussion," 6:30 p.m. CT, from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register.
April 18-19 - "Divine Healing," United Theological Seminary's third Annual Church Renewal Conference, Ginghamsburg Church, Tipp City, Ohio. Details.
April 19-21 - Hispanic/Latino Church Planters' Boot Camp, Northbrook (Chicago area), Ill. Designed for Hispanic church planters, churches with Hispanic ministries, and for all leaders interested in starting a ministry with their Hispanic community. Details.
April 25 - World Malaria Day. Help fight the disease at imaginenomalaria.org.
April 26-27 - In Mission Together, part of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, will hold a 50/50 Partnership Roundtable at Christ United Methodist Church, Memphis. Tenn. The gathering is for U.S. congregations interested in partnering with United Methodist faith communities in Russia/Eurasia. Details.
April 27 - Church Growth Clinic, starts at 8:30 a.m. CT, First United Methodist Church, Sikeston, Mo. Details.
May 7-9 - RENEW retreat for United Methodist single clergy, Selah Inn at the Ranch, Mount Vernon, Texas. Details.
May 18-19 - Change the World. Join the United Methodist Rethink Church event that helps build community locally and fight malaria globally. Details.
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