“What we know is that our folks are going to step up and be who they are. They’re going to give of themselves and serve and make a difference.” — The Rev. Morris Mathis on flood relief efforts in the Texas Conference.
Flooding continues in southeast Texas
DALLAS (UMNS) — United Methodists in Houston and elsewhere in southeast Texas are joining fellow residents in coping with still more rain. Eight flood-related deaths in the greater Houston area have been reported in recent days, and many homes and other buildings, including some churches, have sustained damage. The Texas Conference has created a relief fund and is preparing for more long-haul relief work. Sam Hodges reports.
Nyadire hospital offers healing touch
NYADIRE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — United Methodist Nyadire Mission Hospital changed an abandoned baby’s name from “Problems” to “Joy.” Forty-one years later, the hospital still gives daily care to Farai “Joy” Kanyemba, who has limited movement because of cerebral palsy. Eveline Chikwanah reports how Farai’s care is just one example of the hospital’s impact.
Harriet Tubman’s Methodist connection
AUBURN, N.Y. (UMNS) — The U.S. Treasury Department announced April 20 that Harriet Tubman — known as the Moses of her people — will replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. Most American schoolchildren know Tubman as the African-American abolitionist who led thousands of slaves to freedom. But did you know she had deep ties to the African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion? To this day, the AME Zion Church — a full-communion partner of The United Methodist Church — owns and maintains her home in Auburn, New York.
Read about Tubman’s AME Zion ties
Pension agency reports on shareholder work
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UMNS) — Recent shareholder engagements have successfully influenced the increase of female directors on the corporate boards of Comcast and Simon Property Group and expanded the discussion on human rights policy with Caterpillar and other companies, the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits has announced.
United Methodist schools featured at GC2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) — United Methodist schools and students will be featured at the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon, on May 16 at Higher Education Night. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is sponsoring this event to “celebrate 150 years of supporting United Methodist higher education around the world,” said the Rev. Ken Yamada, interim executive of the agency’s Division of Higher Education.
10 fascinating facts about John Wesley
MOBILE, Ala. (UMCom) — Did you know Methodism’s founder wrote a best-selling medical primer? In an article for United Methodist Communications, Jeremy Steele offers this and other facts from the life of John Wesley.
Commentary: Don’t forget United Methodist mission
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) — Arkansas Area Bishop Gary Mueller and Mary Brooke Casad were among the United Methodists who first proposed that the church’s mission is to make disciples. In a commentary, the two reflect on the mission statement and the denomination’s holistic understanding of disciple making,
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.
Saturday, April 30
Regular registration deadline for Music & Worship Arts Week 2016 at Lake Junaluska — Music & Worship Arts Week (Sunday-Friday, June 19-24, at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center) is an event highlighting the arts, worship, education and renewal in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina at Lake Junaluska, presented by The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts. Designed for all worship leaders, musicians, artists, dancers, actors and pastors, as well as children and youth. $344 adult; $179 children and youth. Beginning May 1, all registration rates increase by $30. Details
Early-bird deadline for School of Congregational Development 2016 — Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 17-20. The workshops for United Methodist clergy and lay leaders will be in Evanston, Illinois, north of Chicago. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries and Global Ministries sponsor the gathering. $375. Details
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