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Daily Digest - July 9, 2020

“What a ripe harvest this is for us to stand and to show love for our neighbor, and to treat our neighbor like ourselves and really speak truth to power.”The Rev. Felicia Hopkins, superintendent of the Amarillo District in the Northwest Texas Conference.


NEWS AND FEATURES 

Smaller communities affected by protests

WILLINGBORO, N.J. (UM News) — Protests in many different smaller cities and towns have followed the violent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. United Methodists are among the participants, and many of them say real progress against racial prejudice is possible through these broad, sustained protests. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
What does The United Methodist Church say about racism?

Baltimore-Washington Conference
Whites only: A tale of two church deeds

CUMBERLAND, Md. — The Rev. Frankie Revell, pastor of LaVale United Methodist Church, had glanced at the church’s deed when he first arrived six years ago. But it wasn’t until a community member alerted him that he took a second look and found it contained racist language. Erik Alsgaard reports.
Read story

Close ties challenge rural Africa COVID-19 fight 

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Close relationships in rural Africa make social and physical distancing to avoid COVID-19 culturally difficult. The United Methodist Church is working to educate people about the need for following precautions. Kudzai Chingwe reports. 
Read story

Northern Illinois Conference
COVID-19 impacts Hispanic/Latinx community

CHICAGO — The coronavirus is disproportionately affecting the Hispanic and Latinx community, both in hospitalization and death rates and overall economic impact. Northern Illinois Conference Bishop Sally Dyck recently met online with conference Hispanic/Latinx leaders to listen to their experiences and how pastors are providing care and assistance. The Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer reports.
Read story

North Carolina Conference 
Young clergy sponsor anti-racism rally
 
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Young Clergy of the North Carolina Conference sponsored a Stand Against Racism rally in front of the North Carolina Capitol in Raleigh. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward joined over 90 laity, clergy and their children to take a stand against racism, white supremacy and police brutality.
Watch video

 
PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities  
In reopening, remember clergy, staff with disabilities 

BEAUMONT, Texas — The United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities wants annual conference leaders to be mindful of clergy and staff with disabilities, and their special health vulnerabilities, in making decisions about reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read statement


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