Daily Digest - February 5, 2015

"Jesus repeatedly challenged the cultural norms, and stood against the disrespect and denigration of women." — Susan Greer Burton, writing about how the church can change attitudes that contribute toward violence.

Modeling sacred worth, human dignity

WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Troubling behavior in athletics is greater than any one sport or athletic program, writes Susan Greer Burton of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. The church needs to work collectively with society “to change the culture of violence against women, children and people who are vulnerable that permeates our communities and world.”
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Ganta hospital administrator steps down

GANTA, Liberia (UMNS) — As administrator of Ganta United Methodist Hospital, Victor Doolakeh Taryor oversaw the hospital’s response to health problems rarely seen in the United States — including fistula, often endured by women who have been raped multiple times, and the worst Ebola outbreak in history. Now, after eight years in that position, he is leaving the hospital, reports Julu Swen.
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Michigan pastor, civil rights leader, dies at 72

DETROIT (UMNS) — The Rev. Daniel Krichbaum, 72, a United Methodist minister and interfaith leader and former director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, died Feb. 4 of complications from a cerebral hemorrhage. He was president of a group that later became the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion. Krichbaum also helped lead interfaith efforts after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, bringing together different faiths to promote peace and tolerance. Niraj Warikoo reports for the Detroit Free Press.
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United Methodist clergyman recalls 1965 Selma march

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Kent Millard, who responded to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call for clergy and seminarians to come to Selma after Bloody Sunday in 1965, answers questions about his experiences there. Rethink Church has the Q&A.
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Commentary: Compassion, not judgment

ACWORTH, Ga. (UMNS) — Mark Wiman of Acworth, Georgia, writes about his personal struggles in accepting his sister’s sexuality when she came out. “The real issue is relational and has to do with acceptance vs. rejection and compassion vs. judgment,” writes Wiman in a blog post for United Methodist Communications’ Sharing in Faith forum.
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5 things small churches can uniquely offer

SAVANNAH, Ga. (UMNS) — Christians, especially in the United States, have a tendency to promote the idea that the bigger the church, the better. But most churches around the world are small. What do small churches have to offer? Plenty, writes the Rev. Ben Gosden, pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Savannah.
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Go-to site for Lenten resources

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Lenten resources developed for UMC.org, along with resources from around the denomination, have been collected on one go-to Web page. In addition to resources and stories developed by United Methodist Communications, the page has materials from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, United Methodist Global Ministries, the Society of St. Andrew and others.
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Saint Paul Fellows Program to help with seminarian debt

LEAWOOD, Kan. (UMNS) — Saint Paul School of Theology will award four full-ride scholarships to seminary students beginning study in 2015 at either campus – Kansas or Oklahoma. The three-year program will include “real-life pastoral experience while reducing the need for student loans,” said H. Sharon Howell, Saint Paul’s president.
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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.

Tuesday, Feb. 10
Youth ministry webinar "Getting in and Out of Silos" — 7-8 p.m. EST. The first of three webinars led by the Rev. Sam Halverson, longtime youth minister and associate director of connectional ministries in the North Georgia Conference. This one deals with blurring the lines of different ministries, including youth ministry, to grow the church as one. Details.

Thursday, Feb. 12
United Methodist Global AIDS Fund United Methodist event — 7 to 8:30 p.m. CST at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. A reception and program will focus on the "Just Save One" initiative. Details.

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