“Our task is to love deeply, which means standing before those who are angry, anxious or fearful and be a witness to all they are feeling, and to remain in relationship through the power of Christ’s love.” — Bishop Karen Oliveto, responding to those who lament her election since she is a married lesbian.
“I do not see this election in accordance with the Book of Discipline. This reminds me of the communist time in Soviet Union when we had ‘selective justice,’ which means the law is applied selectively.” — Eurasia Area Bishop Eduard Khegay.
Bishops respond to gay colleague
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Even before Bishop Karen Oliveto takes office Sept. 1, her election as The United Methodist Church’s first openly gay bishop already has prompted reactions from her episcopal colleagues. Meanwhile, as a married lesbian, she is already facing complaints under church law. Heather Hahn reports.
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Poor maternal health care remains concern
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — The lack of sound maternal health facilities at satellite clinics around three mission hospitals in Zimbabwe is hampering the fight against maternal deaths, according to Netsai Ndlovu, the sister-in-charge at Nyadire Hospital. Adding to the problem are delays in the referral process. Zimbabwe East Conference communicator Kudzai Chingwe reports.
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Teen devotional magazine turns 20
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (UMNS) — Twenty years and counting — that’s how long Upper Room’s devozine has been around. Doreen Gosmire of the Dakotas Conference reports on how the effort got going at Hartford United Methodist Church in Hartford, South Dakota.
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Magazine website
College loan relief for Louisiana flood survivors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is offering temporary financial relief to students and graduates facing flood devastation in Louisiana.
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Leading conversations about race
LEAWOOD, Kan. (UMNS) — The early-bird registration deadline for the Leadership Institute at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is Aug. 31. The event will be Sept. 28-30, followed by a post-institute event, “Leading the Conversation about Race and Equality,” from 2-5 p.m. CDT Sept. 30. The Rev. F. Willis Johnson, pastor of Wellspring Church, a United Methodist church in Ferguson, Missouri, will lead the session.
Details on Leadership Institute
Correction
An Aug. 22 digest item on the massacre in the East Congo episcopal area incorrectly stated the episcopal area had nine churches. There are nine churches in the Beni area and more than 400 congregations in the episcopal area, the largest in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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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.
Thursday, Sept. 1
Registration deadline for the Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Ministries Committee annual meeting Thursday-Saturday. Oct. 6-8 — Accommodations will be at the Hampton Inn and the meeting will be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Wheeling, West Virginia. This is a time to share updates on Committee on Native American Ministries activities, connect with the resource representatives who work in Native ministries, receive updates on Native issues, and share fellowship. Details
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