Daily Digest - April 6, 2015

"Robotic warfare is an affront to human dignity and to the sacredness of life." — Interfaith declaration calling for a comprehensive ban of robotic weapons.

Faith leaders urged to call for ban on new weapon

GENEVA (WCC) — National and local religious leaders everywhere are being asked by the World Council of Churches to take a stand against a new class of arms known as “fully autonomous weapons” or “killer robots” by signing an interfaith declaration that calls for “a comprehensive, preemptive ban” of the weapons.
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See interfaith declaration

Seminary leaders reflect on race and fabric of faith

ATLANTA — Presidents and deans of the 13 United Methodist seminaries in the United States have released an open letter, calling on the church and universities “to resist the evil of racism, and its corruption of our collective imagination.” The Huffington Post published their statement.
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CBS-TV interfaith special looks at addiction epidemic

NEW YORK (UMNS) — The work of community members, including United Methodist clergy, who are working to respond to the prescription drug and heroin epidemic among young adults is the focus of an interfaith CBS-TV special. “Faith, Hope & the Burden of Addiction will air Sunday, April 12, on CBS stations. Check local listings for times. After April 12, the program may be viewed again at www.cbsnews.com/religion-and-culture.
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Greater New Jersey launches ad campaign

OCEAN, N.J. (UMNS) — The Greater New Jersey Conference will be promoting The United Methodist Church on bus advertisements through May 3. The ads will be on New Jersey transit buses in the Atlantic City, Camden, Trenton, New Brunswick and Newark areas. The ads point to umc.org/findachurch.
See an example

With UMCOR’s help, Cuban Methodists rebuild homes

HAVANA (UMNS) — With the help of volunteer Cuban construction teams and grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the Methodist Church in Cuba has rebuilt 61 homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy, with more under construction. David Tereshchuk reports for UMCOR.
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Petition submissions begin for 2016 General Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Petitions for consideration by the 2016 General Conference may be submitted to the Petitions Secretary through Oct. 13, 2015.
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Get detailed instructions

Volunteer marshals, pages needed for General Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Volunteers can apply online to serve as marshals or pages during The United Methodist Church’s 2016 General Conference. The denomination’s top legislative assembly will meet in Portland, Oregon, May 10-20, 2016.
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Apply

Lent Quiz: How long is Eastertide?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Lent is complete and the season of Easter has begun! Do you know how long this season of celebration called Eastertide actually is?
Try the final quiz question

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.

Tuesday-Thursday, April 7-9
"Vision to Victory: Religion, Race and Revival," celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. — United Theological Seminary will hold revival services calling for accountability and reconciliation at 7 p.m. EDT April 7,8 and 9 at Omega Baptist Church, 1821 Emerson Ave., Dayton, Ohio. Guest speakers include Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of the West Ohio Conference; the Rev. Frank Thomas, professor of homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, and the Rev. Vanessa Ward, co-pastor of Omega and lecturer at United. Details.

Saturday, April 11
Deacon Day @ Drew — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT at Drew Theological School, Seminary Hall, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, New Jersey. This workshop is an opportunity to explore the identity and call of the deacon. In the morning, participants will take advantage of Drew's Seminary Saturday offerings. In the afternoon, the Rev. Victoria Rebeck, director of deacon ministry development and provisional membership at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, will moderate a panel of deacons serving in diverse appointments. Free. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.