Daily Digest: July 17, 2014



“We assure the whole world and our connection that everybody will be safe.” – INSERT SOURCE HERE

As typhoon hits, church youth take shelter and pray
TAGAYTAY, Philippines (UMNS) — Youth and young adults from across the United Methodist connection were safely sheltered during Typhoon Rammasun, locally known as Glenda. Organizers of the Global Young People's Convocation have moved the event to a new venue near Manila because of the storm’s damage. This story includes video footage of the storm’s aftermath.

Read story and post a comment

A lens-eye view of the civil rights struggle
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Larry McCormack, a United Methodist and newspaper photographer, gives his own twist on civil rights history by combining black-and-white images from the struggle for integration with color photos of the same settings today. “There was a time when people of color were looked at like they didn’t belong as part of Nashville, and that hurts my heart because we are all God’s children,” he said. 

Read story and post a comment

Wisconsin Conference celebrates donor
NEW LONDON, Wis. (UMNS) — Stanley Cottrill is a 92-year-old retired plumber and member of New London United Methodist Church who lives his faith and believes in generosity. He recently presented a check for $1 million for the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation Seminary Scholarship Fund. That’s not the only example of Cottrill’s altruism, the Wisconsin Annual (regional) Conference reports.

Read story

Theological education grants for 2015 available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Applications for the 2015 grants for theological education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines are open through Sept. 30. The Central Conference Theological Education Commission expects to award an additional $1 million to theological institutions, Boards of Ordained Ministry, and agencies integrally related to training United Methodist pastors.

Read more

List of grants awarded in 2014

Book features United Methodist chaplain
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (UMNS) — In 1989, United Airlines Flight 232 slammed into a runway near Sioux City and burst into flames. Miraculously, 184 of the 296 passengers survived. The Rev. Gregory S. Clapper was on the scene to comfort the injured and help survivors come to terms with what had happened. He is featured in the recently released book “Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival” by Laurence Gonzales. Today, Clapper is a retired U.S. Air Force chaplain and professor at United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis. Clapper will be traveling to Sioux City next week to lead the 25th anniversary memorial service of the crash.

Read UMNS story about Clapper’s ministry


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - April 16, 2025

The quite contrary story of Mary Magdalene; Honduras mission welcomes new leader, sets goals; Podcast explores immigrant experience

UM News Digest - April 14, 2025

Black churches preserve history, shape future; Judge permits immigration arrests in churches; What’s new in the Discipline?

UM News Digest - April 11, 2025

Burundi celebrates new bishop; Orlando churches face anti-LGBTQ protests; Floods devastate United Methodists in Congo

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved