“We’re certainly going to dig in our heels and continue our ministry in South Sudan, but the coordination of ministry will be from a remote level.” — Danny Howe, Holston Conference’s South Sudan mission coordinator.
Missionaries depart amid fighting in South Sudan
ALCOA, Tenn. (UMNS) — While heavy gunfire and violence escalate in South Sudan, missionaries related to Holston Conference have evacuated and are returning to the U.S. Not only was it unsafe for the missionaries, “It was also dangerous for the indigenous staff who were enabling those operations to happen,” said Danny Howe, mission coordinator. Annette Spence of the Holston Conference’s The Call reports.
Read story
Judicial Council to meet in October
NEW YORK (UMNS) — The United Methodist Judicial Council, including new members elected during General Conference 2016 in May, has scheduled its fall session for Oct. 25-28 in Chicago. The council also will have an orientation meeting in August.
Read earlier story about new members
Missionary becomes U.S. citizen
NORMAN, Okla. (UMNS) — The Rev. Fuxia Wang, a missionary and the international director at the Wesley Foundation at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, says she believes God brought her to the United States. She is now a U.S. citizen enjoying the freedom she says she did not have in China to preach and worship the Lord. Chris Schutz reports for the Oklahoma Conference.
Read story
How one woman shaped Methodism
EPWORTH, England (UMC.org) — A visit to John Wesley's childhood home provides insight about how Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles, influenced the Methodist movement. “I was struck by the way Susanna Wesley challenged her husband, who wanted her to stop preaching. By being assertive, Susanna eventually enhanced the role of women in the church and even led to the formation of the entire Methodist Church… Susanna by all accounts is the mother of Methodism," writes Julu Swen in a blog.
Read blog
2016 annual conference reports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist News Service is posting reports from all the annual conference sessions. New reports this week include Northwest Texas, as well as Finland in the central conferences. If a report is missing, UMNS has not received it.
Read reports
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.
Sunday, July 31
Early bird registration for “The All People Conference: Welcoming the Stranger” on Saturday-Monday, Oct. 22-24 — This event for leaders who wish to foster racially and economically diverse congregations will be at Church for All People/Community Development for All People, a United Methodist ministry at 946 Parsons Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Speakers include Bishop Minerva Carcaño and Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. $195. Details
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.