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Daily Digest - February 19, 2015

"When people have a heart for doing something, people here are very supportive." The Rev. James K. Karpen about the United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, the subject of a play celebrating the diversity of the church.
 

Becoming the (United Methodist) ‘Church of Why Not’

NEW YORK (UMNS) – When Theatre 167 created a play to celebrate the diversity of the United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, the title could only come from the pastor’s description of the religious community as the church of “why not.” Linda Bloom has the story.
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Pulpit swaps promote diversity

CINCINNATI, Ohio (UMNS) – Clergy in 30 United Methodist churches swapped pulpits to promote diversity and spark dialogue. The effort grew out of Circles of Grace conversations taking place in the district. The West Ohio Conference has a report.
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Former president says clergy can help end violence against women

ATLANTA (UMNS) – Former President Jimmy Carter called the mistreatment of girls and women around the world “the worst human rights abuse on earth.” In a speech this month to students and faculty at Candler School of Theology, the United Methodist seminary at Emory University, he reminded the audience that they were on the forefront of creating change. “Ministers of the gospel are part of the cadre to stop this,” Carter said.
Read press release

Sharing in Faith: Resolutions or Reconciliation?

HIGHLAND, Ill. (UMNS) – The Rev. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null writes about learning her brother was bisexual, and calls on The United Methodist Church to move toward reconciliation. “God is calling us to move beyond the rhetoric of resolutions to a place of reconciliation; a place where there will be no winner and loser; mediation, not litigation; restoration, not adjudication,” she writes in a blog for the Sharing in Faith forum.
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Lent Quiz: Test your vocabulary

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – See if you can find the original meaning of the word “Lent.” Hint, it comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten.
Take the daily quiz

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.

Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 23-24

Schooler Institute on Preaching – Valerie Bridgeman, and Jorge Lockward will lead the Schooler Institute on Preaching Feb. 23 and 24 at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware. The theme is “Beyond Band-Aids: Building the Beloved Community in the Age of Ferguson.” Bridgeman is the founding president of WomanPreach!, an organization bringing preachers to full prophetic voice, and Lockwood is director of global praise for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.


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