"Everybody has come together at the right time, in the right place, for the right message and the right cause." — Jonathan Palant, music minister at Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, speaking about a concert that featured an opera star and a choir of homeless people.
Music minister brings together opera star, Street Choir
DALLAS (UMNS) — Jonathan Palant, music minister at Kessler Park United Methodist Church, brought together an ecumenical choir, the Dallas Street Choir and a famed mezzo-soprano for a concert to benefit a Dallas homeless ministry. They performed a new piece called “Street Requiem.” Sam Hodges reports.
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Campaign anticipated misuse of bed nets
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Imagine No Malaria campaign anticipated the problems of net misuse such as those highlighted in a recent New York Times story, writes the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of United Methodist Communications. In his blog post, Hollon describes the training of community health workers and the follow-up efforts to monitor net use.
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Young adult mission program accepting applications
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Global Mission Fellows, a two-year mission service program for young adults ages 20-30, is now accepting applications. The priority date for submission is Jan. 31 and the final application deadline is March 31.
To apply
Council of Bishops to take up global nature of church
DALLAS (UMNS) — When the Council of Bishops meets in Berlin in May one of the topics of conversation likely will be the Global Book of Discipline, being developed at the request of the 2012 General Conference. The council’s executive committee got a preview of this and other church issues when it met this month.
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Clergy health research survey planned
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits is gearing up for its biennial clergy health survey in February. A cross-section of 4,000 active United Methodist clergy will receive a brief online survey. The resulting data will help the denomination learn more about its clergy’s well-being.
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Dallas church holds event for Muslim community
DALLAS (UMNS) — More than 400 people came together at Northaven United Methodist Church on Sunday for a Stand With Our Muslim Neighbors interfaith event. The event was in response to recent protests over a center that would teach Muslims how to combat negative characterizations of Islam. Cynthia Astle reports for United Methodist Insight.
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Read Dallas Morning News coverage
Students blessed to be a blessing
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (UMNS) — Some talk about millennials as the NONEs — those who have no religious affiliation. But Wesley Foundation directors across Michigan can introduce you to millennials who are among the CALLed. Kay DeMoss of the Michigan Area has the story of how a grant from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education is helping send interns from the campus to the local church.
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History of Hymns: ‘God Is Here Today’
DALLAS (UMNS) — Here is the story of a popular Spanish chorus and how it gradually spread throughout world and was finally published. It’s now part of the United Methodist songbook “The Faith We Sing.” C. Michael Hawn shares the story in his column for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.
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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.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Free webinar "Sacred Worth, Sacred Earth: Exploring the Intersections of Women and Climate" — 3 p.m. EST. The webinar, sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, and the Healthy Families, Healthy Planet project, will feature Kim Lovell, program director of the global population and environment program at the Sierra Club. To register.
Thursday, Jan. 29
How to Flourish with Religious Diversity — 7 p.m. EST. Acharya Rita M. Gross, a religious studies scholar and advanced Buddhist practitioner, will speak about religious diversity at the Virginia Wesleyan College Blocker Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia. The visit is hosted by The Center for the Study of Religious Freedom at Virginia Wesleyan. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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