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Daily Digest: February 20, 2014

“I’m really big into other religions. The one thing I love doing most is learning what they believe.” – Rachael McGill, University of Evansville student.

Evansville students learn to engage other faiths
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (UMNS) – The Rev. Tamara K. Gieselman, university chaplain and director of religious life since 2009, hopes that undergraduate students at the United Methodist-related University of Evansville will have the chance “to engage with other world religions.” She is doing her best to make that happen.

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Prayers requested from Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine (UMNS) – The Rev. John Calhoun, a United Methodist Board of Global Ministries missionary serving in Ukraine, has asked for continued prayers as violence in the region continues to grow. “For the past 24 hours, the center of Kiev has been the scene of violent clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police,” he wrote.

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Omaha clergy try new ways to reach people
OMAHA, Neb. (UMNS) – The Rev. Bruce Davis of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church preached on a recent winter morning while a church band played the Eagles song “Desperado” as he wove the lyrics into his sermon. The Omaha World Herald explains how local clergy are using innovative ways to capture the attention and hearts of people.

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Community works on future of church building
COVINGTON, Ky. (UMNS) – A year ago, the Gateway Foundation of Gateway Community and Technical College purchased the former First United Methodist Church. Now the school has enlisted the community to help decide the future for the historic building. Nky.com tells the story.

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UMCOR builds health near Sochi Olympics
SOCHI, Russia (UMNS) – Not far from the site of the Olympic Winter Games, the United Methodist Committee on Relief works to increase access to health care for vulnerable people in the region. Julia Kayser reports for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

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Memorial service set for Lois Dauway
NEW YORK (UMNS) – A memorial service for Lois Dauway is planned at 3 p.m. March 2 at the United Methodist Church of the Village, 201 West 13th St. Dauway, a longtime denominational and ecumenical staff executive, died Feb. 4 at the age of 65.

Theological education grants to be chosen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – The 74 applications for grants from the $5 million fund for theological education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines will be evaluated and awards granted Feb. 20-22 when the Commission on Central Conference Theological Education meets in Atlanta. The commission estimates it will be able to disburse grants for $1 million a year for the next four years.

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Peace conference deadline extended
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UMNS) – Because the inclement weather has affected many in the southeast, the early registration deadline for the Lake Junaluska Peace Conference has been extended until March 1. The 2014 Lake Junaluska Peace Conference: Faith, Health, and Peace: Seeking the Basic Right to Good Health for All God's Children will be March 27-30 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.

To register

Correction: Women’s History Month resources link
An item in the Feb. 19 Daily Digest on resources from the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women contained a link that did not work for some subscribers. A corrected link is below.

Resources


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