“This is a really joyous partnership for us because we know The United Methodist Church has such a massive network.” — Kristina Lee of the group Worldreader, which brings digital books to schools in developing nations.
Church helping to equip African school with e-readers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Mount Harmony/Lower Marlboro United Methodist Church in Owings, Maryland, will be taking 75 e-readers, each loaded with 100 books, to the Methodist Mission School in Murewa, Zimbabwe. The church has raised $13,000 for the project, and is partnering with the group Worldreader. Joey Butler reports.
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Calif. pastor cast in ‘Chuck Knows Church’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Sarah Heath, an elder in the California-Pacific Conference, has been chosen from hundreds of entries to be in the final episode of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries’ web series “Chuck Knows Church.” The video Heath submitted “touched us deeply,” said Steve Horswill-Johnston, executive director of communications and brand strategy at Discipleship Ministries and “Chuck Knows Church” creator and senior producer.
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Initiative generating new energy for churches
DENVER (UMNS) — When the Rev. Jeremy Scott launched the Whole Church Initiative in the Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone conferences, he sought to help churches honestly address their vitality and how they are living out their faith. Charmaine Robledo of the Mountain Sky Area offers an update of how the initiative has evolved over two years and its impact on churches.
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Society of St. Andrew Lenten devotions
BIG ISLAND, Va. (UMNS) — Lent begins this year with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 10. The United Methodist partner the Society of St. Andrew offers Lenten daily devotions, written by pastors and lay people from all walks of life. The booklets are titled “While Still Far Off.” The society asks for orders by Jan. 29 for timely delivery.
To order
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.
Monday, Jan. 25–Friday, Feb. 5
Online course “Connecting and Leading Lay Volunteers in Ministry” from beadisciple.com — Participants will explore the Scriptural and Methodist foundations of the priesthood of all believers. They will discover their own spiritual gifts and learn how to help others discover and use their gifts. $50. Details.
Online course “Organizing Your Ministry” from beadisciple.com — This workshop will provide practical guides on how to get your ministry organized and keep it that way. The course will emphasize skills for youth ministry organization, but the ideas and concepts can be adapted and applied to any ministry setting. $65. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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