| "The fact of the matter is they've been left out of the equation.” – The Rev. Anthony Motley of nearby Lindsay St. Baptist Church, about how a new stadium will affect Central UMC in Atlanta. |  |
Church Alliance files brief for clergy housing
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UMNS)-- The Church Alliance, a coalition of the chief executive officers of 38 denominational benefit programs including The United Methodist Church, has filed an amicus curiae brief in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (Chicago) in the case challenging the constitutionality of the clergy housing exclusion under Section 107(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code). Barbara Boigegrain, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, is chair of the Church Alliance.
Atlanta church to get stadium traffic but no cash
ATLANTA (UMNS) — Central United Methodist Church, led for 18 years by the Rev. Joseph Lowery, the civil rights leader, won’t gain anything from the new Falcons stadium being built across the street except for traffic headaches. 11 Alive has the story.
Candler to focus on future of theological education
ATLANTA (UMNS) – United Methodist-affiliated Candler School of Theology, part of Emory University, will have a centennial conference March 18-20, 2015 on the future of theological education. Speakers will include Marilynne Robinson, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Gilead” and a writer and speaker about Christian faith, and Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory’s R.W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian origins and chair of Candler’s centennial celebration.
Three outreach ideas for the summer
MOBILE, Ala. (UMNS) — The Rev. Jeremy Steele, writing for United Methodist Communications, shares three ideas already introduced by churches across the United States that can help churches reach out to their community during the summer months.
Districts announced for new Rio Texas Conference
SAN ANTONIO (UMNS) — San Antonio Area Bishop Jim Dorff announces in a video the planned seven districts in the new Rio Texas Annual (regional) Conference, which will be formed by a merger of the Rio Grande and Southwest Texas conferences. The new merged conference officially will be complete by Jan. 1, 2015.
The churches in the new districts
Correction: A short film about death and resurrection
This item from April 11 had a wrong link. Please use this link for See more Holy Week resources.
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.
Holy Week, Monday-Saturday, April 14-19. - The United Methodist Board of Discipleship offers worship resources.
Deadline to register for "Church Communication: 10 Things," Tuesday, April 15. - A clinic sponsored by the Memphis Conference Communications Action Team from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CT, Thursday, April 24. First United Methodist Church, Jackson, Tenn. $25 per person, $20 each for groups of three or more. Details.
Free webinar “Media: What’s Trending in Elementary School,” Tuesday, April 15 — Noon CT. A discussion of how to extend community to children through the use of healthy media. To register.
Free webinar “Safe Sanctuaries for Camps and Retreats, Part 1,” Wednesday, April 16 — 11 a.m. CT. This is the first of a two- part series on implementing Safe Sanctuaries abuse prevention policies and procedures within camp and retreat experiences and settings. To register.
Deadline to register for "Wesley presents: A Faithful Action in Partnership: A Training to Respond to Human Trafficking," Friday, April 18. - This free workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET May 1 is designed to foster collaboration among local churches, social-service organizations and law enforcement agencies to respond to trafficking in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. The event will be held at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 900 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington. Details.
Easter Sunday, April 20. - The United Methodist Board of Discipleship offers worship resources.
Free "Lunch and Learn" about Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology, Monday, April 21 - 11: 45 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT. Thomas Spann, professor of supervised ministry at Perkins, will speak on "Internship: Doing Ministry and Theology in the Traffic at the Intersection" at Perkins' Houston-Galveston Extension Program, 3501 W. Alabama, Suite 107, Houston. Details.
Free webinar "Pastors: Making a Good Move," Tuesday, April 22 - 6:30 p.m. CT. Designed for pastors who are moving to a new appointment, this event will include ways to say good-bye to the current congregation and say hello to a new place and new people. To register.
Free webinar "SPRC: Your Role When the Pastor Changes," Thursday, April 24 - 6:30 p.m. CT. Training for staff-parish relations committees and other laity on handling a transition in pastors. To register.
"Turn Your Radio On" singles ministry weekend, Friday-Sunday, April 25-27. - A study of four of Jesus' parables through "old-time" radio episodes at Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center, Eva, Tenn. Sponsored by the Memphis Conference's Single Adult Ministry. Details.
"How to Reach New People" workshop, Friday-Saturday, April 25-26. - Jim Griffith, a church planter and coach, will lead the workshop at First United Methodist Church in Independence, Mo. $25 per person or $75 for a team of up to five people. Details.
"Jazzin for Christ" luncheon, Saturday, April 26 - Noon to 3:30 p.m. CT. Masque performance, sponsored by Wesley United Methodist Church in Chicago at Georgios of Orland Park, 8800 W. 159th St., Orland Park, Ill. $60. Details.
Jubilation 2014, Sunday-Tuesday, April 27-29. — Worship and workshops at MeadowView Resort and Conference Center,1901 Meadowview Pkwy., Kingsport, Tenn., sponsored by the Holston Annual (regional) Conference Older Adult Ministries. Missy Buchanan, an expert on older adult ministries, will be the keynote speaker. Details.
Free webinar “Children’s Ministry: Choosing Curriculum,” Tuesday, April 29 — 10 a.m. CT. This interactive webinar will focus on some of the aspects to consider when selecting curriculum, including the theological perspective, the teaching perspective and the needs of the students. To register.
Free webinar “Claiming a Missionary Mindset!” Tuesday, April 29 — 6:30 p.m. CT. A look at what it takes to be a missionary to your community. To register.
2014 Large Church Initiative, Monday-Wednesday, April 28-30 - At Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Johns Creek, Ga., for United Methodist churches with 1,000 or more members and/or with an average attendance of 350 or more in worship. Details.
Early-bird registration deadline for Game Changers Summit, Wednesday, April 30. - United Methodist Communications invites local churches to attend a conference Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 3-5 at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The event will focus on how congregations can use technology to strengthen international development. $215. Details.
Free webinar "Ordinary Time Doesn't Have to Be Ordinary," Thursday, May 1 - 7-8 p.m. ET. With no holiday on which to focus, here are ways to do something different in Sunday school. Details.
Beyond These Walls Mission Conference, Thursday-Saturday, May 1-3. - The event at McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church in Powder Springs, Ga., focuses on churches interested in or doing mission work. The Rev. Jorge Acevedo, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, Fla., and Brian Fikkert of the Chalmers Center will be keynote speakers. Details.
“Where Grace Meets Power — Standing for Each Others’ Greatness,” Monday through Wednesday, May 5-7. — A United Methodist clergywomen’s seminar, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Details.
“Elevation” continuing education and spiritual renewal retreat for worship leaders, Monday-Friday, May 5-9. — Lake Tahoe, with Marcia McFee, director of worship at two General Conferences. Details.
United Theological Seminary’s “Light the Fire!” Church Renewal Conference, Thursday-Friday, May 8-9. — Ginghamsburg Church, 6759 S. County Road 25A, Tipp City, Ohio. $149, Details.
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