“We renounce the small-mindedness of religious thinking that attempts to snare the servant of God in his anointed work.” — Mennonite confession about Martin Boehm
Mennonites reconnect with UMC founder
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (UMNS) — When Martin Boehm began preaching to a wider group of believers, he was ex-communicated. Now — more than 240 years later — Mennonites have renounced “the small-mindedness of religious thinking” used against the former Mennonite bishop who became a founder of the present-day United Methodist Church. Linda Bloom has the story.
Flood relief in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (UMNS) — The West Virginia Conference has created a special relief fund and is gearing up for other efforts as West Virginia copes with flooding that claimed at least 23 lives and damaged hundreds of homes.
Read special prayer by Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
Ohio teen dies on church trip
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) — Lauren Seitz, 18, died of a rare amoeba infection after visiting the U.S. National Whitewater Center in North Carolina, while on a church youth trip. Seitz, a member of Church of the Messiah, a United Methodist congregation in Westerville, Ohio, was on a music mission tour with the congregation. The whitewater center has suspended all whitewater activities.
Prison evangelist reflects on new freedom
DES MOINES, Iowa (UMNS) — Vano Kiboko, the United Methodist who turned wrongful imprisonment into a missionary calling, recently visited the Iowa Conference. He discussed his experiences behind bars in his native Democratic Republic of Congo and his newfound freedom. “God placed me in that prison for a specific mission,” he said. The Rev. Arthur McClanahan and Brooke Pierce of the Iowa Conference report.
Listen to interview with Kiboko
Bishop talks about LGBTQ inclusion resolution
PHOENIX (UMNS) — Bishop Bob Hoshibata, who leads the Desert Southwest Conference, has issued a letter addressing questions related to the conference’s recently adopted resolution for full inclusivity. The resolution calls for nondiscrimination and says the conference will not participate in judicial procedures related to the denomination’s prohibitions against the practice of homosexuality.
Seeing transformation in Cambodia
NEW YORK (UMNS) — After years working for the Central Bank in Kenya, United Methodist missionary Esther Gitobu, originally from Kenya and serving in Cambodia, tells how she now sees how even modest financial contributions can assist young adults and communities in Cambodia. The Board of Global Ministries has the video story.
Watch video
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.
Thursday, June 30
Deadline to register for four United Methodist Communications online courses to be offered July 6 – Aug. 17 — The courses are “Communicating Faith in the 21st Century;” “Moodle: Basic Training;” “Welcoming Ministry;” and “Your Church Website: Rethinking Your New Front Door.” Costs vary. Details
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