“The racial barriers in Greenwood (Mississippi) and the Delta are horrible. I really believe that the only way to fix it is by getting together and worshipping.” — Ethan Oltremari, the 19-year-old founder of Revival on the River.
Teen leads revival for racial reconciliation
GREENWOOD, Miss. (UMNS) — Ethan Oltremari, United Methodist teen, wanted to do something about his Mississippi town’s racial divide. So he organized the Revival on the River, which brings together musical groups from both predominantly African-American and predominantly white churches. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Bishop: Second Nigerian episcopal area crucial
KARIM LAMIDO, Nigeria (UMNS) — Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna said Nigeria is likely to get one of the five bishops The United Methodist Church plans to add in Africa after 2020. Other church leaders in Nigeria agreed.
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The Rev. Adam Hamilton subject of magazine profile
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The Rev. Adam Hamilton is featured in The Atlantic magazine for having led the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection to tremendous growth while preaching on controversial issues to a congregation he estimates as 60 percent Republican, 40 percent Democrat.
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Watch Aspen Institute video
Way Forward Commission meets in Chicago
WASHINGTON — The Commission on a Way Forward will convene in Chicago July 19-21 to continue its work concerning human sexuality and exploring options for the future of The United Methodist Church on the issue. The meeting is closed to the public and press.
Read press release
Read moderators' posts and other commission releases
2017 annual conference reports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Poland Conference ordained a woman as a deacon, the first woman ordained in the conference since 1972. Other new reports this week are: California-Pacific, Desert Southwest, Greater New Jersey, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Georgia, Pacific Northwest and Rio Texas.
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No Daily Digest on July 3-4
There will be no Daily Digest on July 3 or on the Fourth of July. The digest will resume on July 5. The staff at United Methodist News Service wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.
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.
Monday, July 10-Sunday, Aug. 20
Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home — This online book study addresses cultivating an ongoing, interactive relationship with God. During this six-week course from BeADisciple.com, participants will read, practice and reflect on chapters from Richard Foster’s book “Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home.” Cost: $45 Details
See more United Methodist events
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