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Daily Digest - February 17, 2020

“We have lost an icon of Wesleyan Methodist education. In this man, we found perfect harmony of spirituality and academic excellence, true to the great Wesleyan heritage that sees no contradiction between education and spirituality.”The Rev. Forbes Matonga on the Rev. John Wesley Z. Kurewa.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Africa University founding father dies at 87

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Rev. John Wesley Z. Kurewa, a founding father and first vice chancellor of Africa University, is being remembered as “a prophet of extraordinary gentleness” who followed the direction of the Holy Spirit in every decision and move he made. Kurewa died Feb. 15 at age 87. Eveline Chikwanah and Kathy L. Gilbert have the obituary.
Read obituary

Texas Conference
Historic congregations gather for MLK service

HOUSTON — First United Methodist and Trinity United Methodist churches once were separated by slavery. These two Houston congregations, both founded well before the Civil War, came together recently for a service honoring the memory of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story

Florida Conference
‘The best-kept secret in the church’

CASSELBERRY, Fla. — A little-known but fascinating corner of United Methodist mission work consists of a small corps of retirees scattered throughout the country. They call themselves Nomads. The name fits because they spend their lives roaming the country in RVs. When they converge, good things happen. William March has the story.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

Western Jurisdiction
Delegates name GC2020 legislative goals

SEWARD, Alaska — The 16 first-elected delegates of the Western Jurisdiction announced that they see the proposed Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation as “a promising option.” They see the 2020 General Conference legislation as working in tandem with the proposed Christmas Covenant.
Read statement
Philippines conference acts on protocol, Christmas covenant


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.

Pastor reflects on why he’s not leaving
ARAB, Ala. — The Rev. Steve West, pastor of Arab First United Methodist Church, has responded to a recent meeting of traditionalist United Methodists considering leaving the denomination. West shares eight reasons why he plans to stay. 
Read commentary


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