Daily Digest - January 21, 2016

"Honestly, the people are scared. . . . They were not expecting Ebola to re-emerge again after nearly two years. We were all very happy when life returned to normal." — The Rev. James Solleh, pastor of the United Methodist church in Magburaka, Sierra Leone.

New Ebola death shocks Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — United Methodist churches joined in resuming preventative measures for Ebola after a 22-year-old woman died in the city of Magburaka, in northern Sierra Leone. Her positive Ebola test result was made public nearly three days after she died and was given normal burial, including washing of the corpse. Phileas Jusu reports.
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Churches step up in Flint crisis

FLINT, Mich. (UMNS) — Eight United Methodist churches in Flint, Michigan, are serving as Water Crisis Resource Centers, providing water filtration systems, replacement filters and education materials. High levels of lead in the city’s water system have caused a public health emergency. Kay DeMoss, news editor for the Michigan Area of The United Methodist Church, reports on the local United Methodist efforts.
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GBGM groundbreaking draws coverage

ATLANTA — A groundbreaking related to the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ move to Atlanta occurred Tuesday, Jan. 19. The event attracted local media coverage as well as attendance by Atlanta city officials, who touted the 150 jobs that come with the move.
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Watch WSB-TV report

Black church music, worship center established

EVANSTON, Ill. (UMNS) — Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary announced the founding of a new Center for Music and Worship in the Black Church Experience. The center’s mission is to provide training in the sacred music of the black church and beyond to musicians and worship leaders for the enrichment of congregational worship in diverse contexts. Garrett-Evangelical is one of 13 United Methodist theological schools.
Read press release

A church without a building

PORTLAND, Ore. (UMTV) — A new church start here looks a lot like church did in Biblical times. The Revs. Eilidh and Jeff Lowery are United Methodist pastors who have founded a church without a church building and they have no plans to find one. The Sellwood Faith Community gathers regularly for dinners, nature hikes and other events where prayer and fellowship are also on the menu.
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Worship leader hopes to provide balance

PORTLAND, Ore. (UMC.org) — The Rev. Laura Jaquith Bartlett, worship and music director for General Conference 2016, hopes to provide balance during 10 days of debate and voting at the denomination’s top legislative assembly. “I do believe that worship shapes the flavor, the atmosphere, the very foundation of how we work together as a denomination in General Conference,” she said.
View UMTV video

Follow United Methodist news on Facebook and Twitter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Want to follow developments as the 2016 General Conference approaches? You can find the latest news on the UMNS Facebook page and Twitter feed.
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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.

Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 21-23
Praying like Jesus Conference — Christ Church, a United Methodist congregation, 4488 Poplar Ave., Memphis, Tennessee, will host the conference. Speakers include Florida Area Bishop Kenneth Carter and the Revs. Jorge Acevedo, John Ed Mathison, Maxie Dunnam and Shane Stanford. Details.

Friday-Saturday, Jan. 22-23
Reaching New People workshop — The Louisiana Conference offers an opportunity to learn more about what growing, fruitful churches are doing to start and grow relationships that bring new people to the church. The workshop will be at First United Methodist Church, 2727 Jackson St. in Alexandria, Louisiana. The event is limited to 25 churches. Details.

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