Daily Digest - August 4, 2021

"I think we just want to be as cautious as possible, especially since we have children with us." — The Rev. Hammett Evans, senior pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.



NEWS AND FEATURES

Churches mask up, close doors as virus spikes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UM News) — As the U.S. sees a surge of the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19, United Methodist churches are taking extra precautions. Some are returning to online-only worship. Congregations are also taking steps to reach vaccine holdouts. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story

Ask The UMC
What organizations does the church fund?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of the more frequent questions Ask The UMC receives is about whether The United Methodist Church funds particular non-United Methodist organizations. The United Methodist Communications team reports that some people are surprised by the United Methodist-related entities their apportionments fund partially or not at all.
Read story
Read more Ask The UMC

California-Nevada Conference
Confronting the Dixie Fire in northern California

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As the Dixie Fire expands in northern California, the California-Nevada Conference is preparing to respond. The conference's Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño offers ways church members can respond including prayer and financial support for fire relief. "Even in this time of waiting we are able to act," she writes.
Read bishop's statement

Nolensville Home Page
Historic church to get marker

NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. — Ebenezer United Methodist Church will hold an unveiling ceremony Aug. 7 for its new historical marker. The church dates to 1869. The Rev. James Scruggs, pastor of Ebenezer, will officiate. Matt Masters reports.
Read story

Nautilus International
Seafarer vaccinations available in London

LONDON — A mission charity of The Methodist Church in Britain is vaccinating seafaring workers when they stop in the Port of London. Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest has vaccinated more than 600 workers who previously had little access to COVID-19 vaccines. The charity is planning to offer vaccines in more ports.
Read story

PRESS RELEASES

U.S. Department of Education
HBCU Scholars announced

WASHINGTON — The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities announced its eighth cohort of HBCU Scholars. Among those honored are students at Bennett, Clark Atlanta, Dillard, Paine, Philander Smith, Rust colleges and Meharry Medical School — all schools supported by The United Methodist Church's Black College Fund.
Read press release
Learn more about the Black College Fund

RECENT HEADLINES

Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years

Bishop urged to resolve auditing issues

EVENTS

Thursday, Aug. 5

UMC Energy Efficiency 101 webinar


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