Kansas-born deacon serves Swiss church
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (UMNS) — The Rev. Erika Stalcup, an ordained deacon born in Kansas and now serving a church in Lausanne, Switzerland, talks about the challenges and joys of her ministry, as well as the struggles of the church. Kathy L. Gilbert interviewed her via email.
Read the story
Judicial Council sets docket for October meeting
CHICAGO (UMNS) — The United Methodist Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, has posted an 11-item docket for its Oct. 25-28 meeting. The Judicial Council also listed three items that are currently under review and require executive committee or full council action to be placed on docket, including a request from the South Central Jurisdiction for a declaratory judgment regarding gay and lesbian church leaders. The council’s meetings are closed except for oral hearings. No decisions have been announced yet regarding possible hearings.
Read full docket
Read Great Plains story on declaratory judgment request
45 young adult missionaries commissioned
ATLANTA (UMNS) — Forty-five new United Methodist young adult missionaries will be commissioned on Aug. 3 for service in 19 countries and five states of the United States. Another group of 19 Global Mission Fellows will be commissioned in September in Seoul, South Korea.
Read Global Ministries story
Watch livestream of young adult commissioning
South African church leaders appeal for calm
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (WCC) — Church leaders have appealed for calm in the runup to Aug. 3 elections, recently marred by recurrent bouts of violence, intimidation and even political assassinations. The South African Council of Churches, the umbrella body for 27 of the country’s larger churches, including Methodist churches, released a statement asking political leaders of all parties to help contain dissent.
Read World Council of Churches report
United Methodist makes sixth mission visit to El Salvador
PADUCAH, Ky. (UMNS) — Claire Douthitt made her sixth visit to El Salvador this summer, working with Starfish Orphan Ministry, a Paducah-based nonprofit organization. The ministry strives to bring awareness to the plight of orphans and adoption issues while providing easy ways for people to serve others in need. Douthitt, 22, a member of Concord United Methodist Church, has helped build houses and run special events for orphans and handicapped adults. Casey Northcutt Watson reports for the Memphis Conference.
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Date set for YOUTH 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The next national gathering of United Methodist youth will be July 10-14, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Young People’s Ministries, a division of Discipleship Ministries, is announcing details of the event to give churches time to plan for their youth to attend. The national gathering for United Methodist youth takes place every four years.
Read press release
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, Aug. 9
Webinar “Crowdfunding 101: How To Run a Successful Campaign” — 7 to 8 p.m. EDT. This webinar is designed to give participants an overview of crowdfunding, as well as step-by-step directions for how you can take advantage of what a crowdfunding platform has to offer. The focus will be on the lifecycle of a campaign. Practical Resources for Churches, an ecumenical training organization, is offering this class. Details
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