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Daily Digest - June 28, 2019

“Many people have received strength by reading or watching evangelism posts online, and some people gave their lives to Christ after interacting with the church online.” — Elison Kamupira, evangelist for the Harare East District, on using social media to spread the Gospel.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Zimbabwe church using social media to spread the Gospel
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Churches in Zimbabwe are embracing social media for its ability to bring the Gospel to a larger audience. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story. 
Read story 

North Texas Conference
Third-generation clergywoman commissioned 
PLANO, Texas — The Rev. Eva Englert-Jessen was recently commissioned as a United Methodist deacon. She follows her mother and grandmother in serving as clergy in the North Texas Conference. 
Read story

Holston Conference
Church hit by arson while drum group away 
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Elston McLain had just finished leading his African drum ministry group in a performance for the Holston Annual Conference when he got the news that the church he leads, Lennon-Seney United Methodist, had been set on fire by vandals. “The devil wants us to be discouraged,” McLain said. “But God is going to win in the end.” Annette Spence reports.
Read story 

NPR, MLK50-ProPublica
Hospital sues employees over unpaid bills
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, which is affiliated with The United Methodist Church, has sued its own workers for unpaid medical bills. Hospital officials declined interview requests, and instead said in a statement that the hospital is committed to working with patients who are having trouble paying their medical bills. Wendi C. Thomas reports. 
Read story 
Read hospital statement

South Georgia Conference
Churches partner to feed homeless
COLUMBUS, Ga. — For nearly a decade, volunteers from churches throughout the Columbus community have come together to help feed the city’s homeless at the former Rose Hill United Methodist Church. Begun by a former Rose Hill United Methodist Church pastor, the ministry is now run by Linda Laye, chaplain of the Fellowship at Rose Hill. Several United Methodist churches are part of the weekly meal rotation. Kara Witherow has the story. 
Read story


PRESS RELEASES 

Virginia Wesleyan University
University president will lead Methodist schools association
ATLANTA — Virginia Wesleyan University president Scott D. Miller was elected president of the National Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities of The United Methodist Church at its annual meeting at Emory University on June 24. The association includes 93 colleges and universities, 13 seminaries, 11 historically black institutions and several private secondary schools.
Read press release


RECENT HEADLINES

Neglected children spark outcry for immigration reform

US elections see shift in GC2020 delegates


EVENTS

Sunday, June 30
A Sunday of Solidarity for Suffering Children






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