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Daily Digest - August 16, 2021

“May we draw near to God and to one another in a spirit of generosity toward our neighbors in a moment of crisis and with faith that God will provide.” — Florida Conference Bishop Kenneth Carter following the Haiti earthquake


NEWS AND FEATURES

Standing with Haiti amid quake and storm
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UM News) — United Methodists are reaching out with their prayers and pocketbooks as Haiti deals with a devastating earthquake and encroaching tropical depression. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is collecting donations, and churches are working with partners in the country to provide relief. Heather Hahn reports. 
Read story
To give to UMCOR International Disaster Response
Read Michigan Conference story

Holston Conference
Cooking and counseling  

RADFORD, Va. — Martee Buchanan was invited to the Wesley Foundation as an 18-year-old college freshman in 1968. She loved it so much that she didn't leave for five decades. The campus minister is known for using her life experience and cooking skills to reach students in a unique way at Radford University. Annette Spence has the story. 
Read story

Oklahoma Conference
Pastor receives high honor from South Korea

LAWTON, Okla. — The Rev. Kiyoung Jeong, pastor of Lawton New Light United Methodist Church, is one of five people chosen for a 2021 National Order of Merit Award from South Korea. He’s being honored for his work with veterans, particularly those of the Korean War, as well as his efforts to raise awareness about South Korean culture. Jeong was a U.S. military chaplain. The Oklahoma Conference reports. 
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.

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
‘A time to keep and a time to cast away’

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences Bishop Peggy Johnson is retiring. In a blog post, she references Ecclesiastes 3:6 and reflects on the disappointments and many joys of her 13 years as a bishop. 
Read post

Indiana Conference
‘Vaccinations save lives’

CARMEL, Ind. — Bishop Julius C. Trimble, who leads the Indiana Conference, has recorded a video and written a poem to encourage church members to get vaccinated. “For me, this is not a political issue,” he said in the video. “This is a matter of life and death and safety for our citizens and our neighbors and our families and our parishioners.”  
Watch video and read poem


RESOURCES

California-Nevada Conference
Webinar offers intro to disaster response

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California-Nevada Conference is offering an introduction for people and congregations interested in responding to disaster, especially wildfires. Steve Elliott, the conference’s Volunteers in Mission coordinator, is scheduled to lead the session at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific time Aug. 24.
Learn more and register

Finance and Administration
Live webinar looks at employment law

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has scheduled a live webinar to familiarize people with employment laws. The finance agency’s human-resource team will lead the webinar, which is set for 10 a.m. U.S. Central time Aug. 26. The cost is $25.  
Learn more and register


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