Closing with prayer in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (UMNS) — The Rev. William Shillady, a New York United Methodist minister and “pastoral friend” to the 2016 Democratic nominee for U.S. President, Hillary Rodham Clinton, will give the closing prayer July 28 at the Democratic National Convention. Linda Bloom reports.
Church response to South Sudan crisis
GENEVA (WCC) — In a Q&A, the Rev. James Oyet-Latansio, top executive of the Christian Council in South Sudan, and Ferdinand von Habsburg-Lothringen, adviser on reconciliation, South Sudan Council of Churches, discuss the church’s role in the political crisis in South Sudan. Robert Bartram conducted the interview for the World Council of Churches.
Missionaries leave South Sudan
Walk for peace brings community together
WILDWOOD, Fla. — About 300 people from a dozen local congregations, including United Methodist churches, joined in a Prayer Walk for Racial Peace on July 24. Patricia Steele, staff writer for The Villages Daily Sun, reports.
Litigation continues in Illinois trust case
MOUND CITY, Ill. (UMNS) — A decision is expected in September from a judge on whether the Illinois Great Rivers Conference’s case against a breakaway congregation can proceed. Paul Black, the conference’s director of communication ministries, reports on a recent hearing. He is also a witness in the trust clause case.
Read story on hearing
Read earlier UMNS coverage
Living through a church renovation
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (UMNS) — Any large-scale renovation requires a congregation to tolerate disruption and change. The Rev. Daniel Hilty of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City suggests ways for getting through the sawdust and noise. “Probably the most important task was reminding the congregation of the ‘why’ behind all of the changes,” he writes for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.
Development center to support scholarships
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Bruce Blumer will join the United Methodist Church Development Center as the executive director of development to support the denomination’s scholarship program. With the rising cost of college, the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has joined with the development center to engage local churches and conferences to assist more students. The development center is part of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
Read press release
Learn about the church’s loans and scholarships
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, Aug. 8-Friday, Aug. 19
BeADisciple online course “Leading Public Prayer for Lay Leaders” — This Lay Servant Ministries course aims to help participants effectively prepare and lead various prayer forms, primarily in worship settings. This course follows the required text “Let the Whole Church Say Amen!” by Laurence Hull Stookey (Abingdon Press, 2001). $65. Details
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