Daily Digest - April 29, 2013

"Of course God calls every Christian. But who does the church need at this particular time at this location? That's the hard part. We don't have it all figured out but we're doing our best." - The Rev. Carol Bruse, chair of the Texas Annual (regional) Conference board of ordained ministry.

How old is too old to join the clergy?

HOUSTON (UMNS) - A proposal from the Texas Annual (regional) Conference to discourage people over 45 from becoming candidates for ordination and people over 60 from licensed local pastors is igniting debate across the denomination.
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Conferences exceed 100 percent giving to Africa University

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - Twenty-seven annual (regional) conferences in the United States gave the full apportionment to the United Methodist university that is "making a difference in the lives of students, the church and the region."
See list of conference giving

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.

Deadline to register for Welcoming Ministry 100, May 1 - Online course from May 8 to June 19, sponsored by United Methodist Communications, $29. To register

Free webinar "Leadership in Small Churches," May 2 - 6:30 p.m. CT, especially for churches with 100 or fewer in worship attendance from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

National Day of Prayer, May 2 - Resources for U.S. event from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.

Older Adult Recognition Sunday, any Sunday in May - Resources compiled by the Virginia Annual (regional) Conference.

Free webinar "Tell of God's Love; the Small Church Story on a Shoestring," May 7 - 6:30 p.m. CT, help for small churches to get the word out from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

RENEW retreat for United Methodist single clergy, May 7-9 - Selah Inn at the Ranch, Mount Vernon, Texas. Details.

Free webinar "Has God Been Invited to the Conversation?" May 9 - 6:30 p.m. CT, help with church and community prayer from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

Ascension Day, May 9 - Celebrate Christ's Ascension with resources from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.

Mother's Day, May 12 - Imagine No Malaria provides offering envelopes, posters and bulletin inserts to prepare for special offerings on Mother's Day to benefit the campaign, which has significant impact on the lives of mothers and children.Details.

Free webinar "Gen2Gen: Sharing Jesus Across the Generations," May 14 - 6:30 p.m. CT, from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

Korea Peace Conference, May 15-17 - Korean United Methodist Church of Atlanta, 3205 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth, Ga., a forum for church leaders from North America and South Korea to engage in dialogue and reassess the current situations on the issues related to the two Koreas. To register, contact the Rev. Jong Sung Kim at the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries at (212) 870-3955 or [email protected]

Free webinar "Committed to Christ: Six Steps to a Generous Life," May 16 - 6:30 p.m. CT, help with stewardship from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

Change the World, May 18-19 - Join the United Methodist Rethink Church event that helps build community locally and fight malaria globally. Details.

Pentecost, May 19 - Celebrate the birthday of the Christian church with resources from the Board of Discipleshipand the United Methodist Publishing House's Ministry Matters.

"Day1," May 19 - The Rev.Hal Brady, a United Methodist and executive director of Hal Brady Ministries based in Atlanta, Ga., is the featured speaker for Pentecost on the "Day1" radio program. To access online

"Inside Out for the Glory of God," July 12-14 - Eleventh national gathering of United Methodist Men at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Details

School of Congregational Development, Aug. 15-18 - Hosted at Denver Marriott Tech Center, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, Path1 and Board of Global Ministries. Theme is "Encountering God at the Edge." Details