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Daily Digest - January 5, 2020

"Combine the stress of starting a new job, moving to a different country and living in a pandemic all into one tightly wound bundle, (and) that's pretty much how this year has been." — Hannah Reasoner, a United Methodist missionary in Colombia.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Missionaries cope with coronavirus challenges
ATLANTA (UM News) — Travel bans and fear of COVID-19 complicated the service of United Methodist missionaries in 2020. Recruiting for the 2021 class has started, but a smaller number will be chosen and it remains to be seen if they'll be able to travel to their assignments. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story

Indianapolis Star
Bishop voices concern over Black woman's care

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Conference Bishop Julius C. Trimble said he is concerned about the experience of Dr. Susan Moore, a Black woman who described receiving inadequate care at a hospital in the IU Health system before dying of COVID-19. Trimble, who also wrote an op-ed published in the Indianapolis Star, is a member of the IU Health Board of Directors. Ryan Martin reports.
Read story
Read Bishop Trimble's op-ed

New England Conference
Singing in the parking lot choir

WORCESTER, Mass. — For the choir members at Wesley United Methodist Church, singing in their cars means singing together — in real time — without the risk of spreading COVID-19 or online lag times.
Read story

Baltimore-Washington Conference, The Washington Post
Calls for prayer before election certification

WASHINGTON — The Baltimore-Washington Conference is asking for prayer and for D.C.-area churches to illuminate their windows with candles ahead of expected protests when U.S. Congress meets Jan. 6 to certify the results of the country's presidential election. The Washington Post also reports that D.C. police have arrested a Proud Boys leader on a charge of burning Asbury United Methodist Church's Black Lives Matter banner during a Dec. 12 protest.
Read conference statement
Read Washington Post story

South Carolina Conference
Columbia church building sold

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina is buying the building of Greene Street United Methodist Church for $1.1 million. The church, which averages about 20 worshippers on Sundays, may buy a new building, but a definite decision has not been made on how to use the proceeds. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story

RESOURCES

United Methodist Higher Education Foundation
Higher education scholarships available

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. Through March 1, students are invited to apply for more than $2 million in funds available to help pay for attending colleges, universities or seminaries related to The United Methodist Church.
See media resources
To apply

RECENT HEADLINES

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EVENTS

Thursday, Jan. 7

Still in Mission: Episode 26


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