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Daily Digest - April 6, 20202

“Let’s continue to value lives by practicing social distancing or, if possible, staying home and donating our dollars rather than our things.”The Rev. Samantha Meadors, campus minister for Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.


NEWS AND FEATURES


Prayers, donations help in aftermath of storms

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — When spring storms and COVID-19 collided, a gulf opened up between eager volunteers and those who need them. Cleanup will come later, but donations top the list of needs now. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
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Solar power improves hospital care
KABONGO, Congo (UM News) — Doctors at Kabongo United Methodist Hospital often had to perform surgeries, deliver babies and care for sick children and emergency patients by candlelight. But that’s all changed with the addition of a new solar panel station that is providing reliable power to the hospital and building trust in the community. The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau has the story.
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Ask The UMC 
How to identify public domain hymns

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Which hymns and other songs qualify as public domain is based on current copyright law in each country. Most hymns have three parts that can be copyrighted — the tune, text (lyrics) and arrangement — and each part may have different copyright dates, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.
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Read more Ask The UMC

Michigan Conference
Haiti suffering because of COVID-19

LANSING, Mich. — The nation of Haiti is suffering food shortages and other challenges because of the COVID-19 crisis, says the Rev. Karl Zeigler, chair of the Michigan Conference Haiti Covenant Partners. Kay DeMoss has the story.
Read story


COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.

North Texas Conference
From under the sea to social distancing

GREENVILLE, Texas — Before entering ministry, the Rev. Chris Yost served six years in the U.S. Navy, including 423 days aboard a submarine. Yost, pastor of Greenville’s Wesley United Methodist Church, shares tips for those challenged by social distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
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RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications
Combating loneliness amid COVID-19 crisis

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Although important for public health, social distancing and isolation practices are beginning to take a toll. Tricia Brown offers tips for church leaders to combat the loneliness experienced by their flocks, families and even themselves. 
Read ideas


RECENT HEADLINES

Being the church at epicenter of US pandemic


Caldwell still on staff, preaching after guilty plea


EVENTS

Monday, April 20-Saturday, May 23 

Online class: Dementia-friendly worship ministry


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