Daily Digest - February 14, 2023

“A country, or even a continent, which has lost its youth has lost itself.”The Rev. Anne Kanini Ntarangwi, Eastern Kenya District superintendent.
 

NEWS AND FEATURES

Kenyan youth help peers fight drug abuse

MERU, Kenya (UM News) — Members of Youth for Christ in Meru, a districtwide United Methodist youth program, are focused on curbing the abuse of khat, a flowering plant that contains a stimulant. Impoverished youth often drop out of school to produce and chew khat. The church group is committed to offering alternative livelihoods for those depending on khat production. Gad Maiga reports.
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Florida Conference
Church praised God through the storm

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Hurricane Ian badly damaged Edgewater United Methodist Church, but that didn't stop the church from providing vital services to its community. The Rev. Matt White and his congregation chose to follow the advice in the Casting Crowns song and praise God in the storm. Joe Henderson has the story. 
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UM News: Churches walk alongside Hurricane Ian survivors 

Holston Conference
5 churches join to honor, serve veterans

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Five United Methodist churches joined to organize and host a dinner for 113 military veterans and family members with the goal of informing and connecting them with benefits they might not know about. The Veterans Benefits Symposium at Cokesbury United Methodist Church was a prime example of United Methodist connectionalism. Annette Spence reports.
Read story 
See recording of symposium

United Women in Faith
Remembering Mia Adjali, faith leader at UN

NEW YORK — When the United Methodist-owned Church Center for the U.N. became a hub for those supporting southern African anti-apartheid and independence movements, Mia Adjali was at the center of the action. Adjali led the U.N. office of the Women’s Division, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, for 46 years before retiring in 2006. She died in September at the age of 82.
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UM News: Over a long career, Adjali remains U.N. booster 

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PRESS RELEASES

Higher Education and Ministry
Online divinity degrees approved

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Divinity master degrees earned exclusively online have been approved by the University Senate for the 13 United Methodist seminaries and Asbury Theological Seminary. The University Senate reviews the educational institutions for “institutional integrity, well-structured programs, sound management and clearly defined church relationships.” The policy change is effective immediately.
Read press release
List of 13 United Methodist seminaries

Wespath
Agency asks for feedback

GLENVIEW, Ill. — The board of directors of Wespath Benefits and Investments is inviting people to give feedback during a listening session on Feb. 25. The sessions are held during regularly scheduled meetings to provide the Wespath board with an opportunity to hear points of view related to the mission and work of the agency. People can participate in person, through Zoom or by sending a pre-recorded video or email with questions or comments.
Read press release


RECENT HEADLINES

Making a lasting impact as communicator, mentor


Wespath expands services to Methodist kin 


EVENTS

Thursday, Feb. 16

Faith Talks: Faith, Justice and What Does the Lord Require of You?

Monday, Feb. 20-Monday, April 3
(W)Holy Faith: The Contemplative Life



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