“This historical partnership is in the spirit of Chabadza. Chabadza is an African way of helping each other.” — Zimbabwe Area Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa on a church-Army partnership.
Church partners with Zimbabwean army on school
NYADIRE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — In its quest for providing quality education, The United Methodist Church has partnered with the Zimbabwe National Army to build a state-of-the-art facility for training early childhood development teachers. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo, a communicator in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, reports.
Methodism ‘a big tent’ from its beginnings
NEW YORK (UMNS) — John Wesley’s movement generally has made space for multiple theological views, writes Glen Alton Messer II, a church historian and United Methodist ecumenical staff member. “We are not trapped by fate, and we are not without resources for dealing with the stresses and conflicts facing us as a church right now,” Messer says.
Freedom Schools shape students’ lives
COLUMBUS, Ohio (UMC.org) — While the U.S. continues to wrestle with racism and inequality, one United Methodist church in Ohio is addressing the issues with young people, using a formula from the civil rights era. The Children’s Defense Fund-created Freedom Schools teach literacy, self-empowerment and civic engagement.
How the church can break taboo on mental illness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMCom) — Since about one in four people in the United States will suffer some sort of mental illness this year, at least one person sitting in your pew this week is probably among them. Tricia Brown, writing for United Methodist Communications, shares how the church can help through education and encouragement.
Sol Africa: A partnership for theological education
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Sol Africa makes it possible for four pastors from each of the four Portuguese-speaking annual conferences in Africa to gain more training at the Methodist University in Brazil. Christie R. House, editor of New World Outlook, reports on the impact of this African-Brazilian partnership started by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in 2006.
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. 30
Webinar “Practical Guidance for Clergy in Teaching Forgiveness” — 2 to 3 p.m. EDT. The National Veterans Affairs Chaplain Center presents a webinar to help clergy as they help people wrestling with forgiveness of themselves and others. The webinar will focus on the REACH Forgiveness model developed by psychologists. REACH stands for recall, empathize, altruism, committing and holding on. Details
Wednesday, Aug. 31
Early Bird deadline for the Leadership Institute at Church of the Resurrection on Wednesday-Friday, Sept. 28-Sept. 30 — United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, will offer this training event aimed at helping church leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Speakers include the Rev. Adam Hamilton, the church’s lead pastor; retired Bishop Will Willimon; and Haydn Shaw, an author and generational expert. Sept. 28 is the Pre-Institute. $45 a session for the Pre-Institute and $159 for Leadership Institute. Details
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