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Daily Digest - June 19, 2017

"His spirit was such that he brought out the best in the people he worked with, and his faith was such that he endured to the end, trusting that whatever happened, he was in God’s hands." — The Rev. Boyce Bowdon on the late Bishop John Wesley Hardt. 

Bishop John Wesley Hardt: 1921 to 2017

DALLAS (UMNS) — Bishop John Wesley Hardt is being remembered for his long, profound contribution to United Methodist life as pastor, episcopal leader and bishop-in-residence at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. Hardt died June 18 at age 95. Sam Hodges reports.
Read obituary
Watch oral history interview 
Read Response magazine story on UMW influence on Hardt

Eugene Winkler, former Chicago Temple pastor, dies

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — In downtown Chicago, a street in front of the 30-story-tall building housing the Chicago Temple, a United Methodist congregation, is named Eugene H. Winkler Way. The Rev. Eugene Winkler, who died June 16 at age 83, was “a fearless advocate for social justice,” writes son Jim Winkler, top executive of the National Council of Churches. Northern Illinois Bishop Sally Dyck will preach at the June 24 funeral at Barrington (Illinois) United Methodist Church, where another son, the Rev. Chris Winkler, is senior pastor.
Read remembrance 

British Methodists condemn mosque attack

LONDON — British Methodist leaders condemned the attack on worshippers at Finsbury Park Mosque. The president and vice president of the Methodist Conference said the attack was particularly offensive during Ramadan. “We pray that these events will not lead to the spread of fear in our city but that, once again, Londoners will stand united against those who would have us turn on each other in hate,” said the Rev. Roger Walton and Rachel Lampard in a statement.
Read statements 

Clergy improve health with Duke program

DURHAM, N.C. — An intervention program for more than 1,100 United Methodist clergy in North Carolina led to improvements in weight, cholesterol and blood pressure that were sustained over 24 months. Duke University researchers published their findings in the June 19 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 
Read press release 

Preacher's kids share experiences

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Preacher’s kids, or PKs, share their experiences — from always attending church to enjoying leftover communion bread and playing hide-and-seek in the church. The Rev. Joe Iovino has the story. 
Read story 

 

Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.

Friday, June 23-Sunday, June 25

Western North Carolina Annual Conference — The Western North Carolina Conference will take place in Terrace Auditorium at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in North Carolina. Details

See more United Methodist events


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