Daily Digest - June 5, 2017

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"For so long, I’ve longed to be a pastoral presence in the world."— The Rev. M Barclay, a newly commissioned transgender United Methodist deacon.

Transgender person commissioned as deacon

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (UMNS) — The Northern Illinois Conference on June 4 commissioned an openly transgender individual as a provisional deacon. The Rev. M Barclay is believed to be the first openly “non-binary trans person” to become a United Methodist deacon. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story 

Africa University gets successful IT upgrade

MUTARE, Zimbabwe — During four weeks in May, staff from Africa University and the General Council on Finance and Administration worked on a project to upgrade the technology infrastructure on the Africa University campus. 
Read press release 

Mountain Sky offers digital devotion 

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — This summer, Bishop Karen Oliveto and the Joint Cabinet of the Mountain Sky Area want to encourage daily worship so they are inviting United Methodists to join in a 20-minute worship service at 9 p.m. MT every Monday through Friday, starting June 5 and continuing through July. People can join in via their cell phones or by calling a toll-free number.
Read about how to join 

Pastors find strength in Asian heritage

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. — Across the Florida Conference, numerous churches are blessed with are blessed with Asian-American pastors from a variety of countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan and China. Kari C. Barlow, writing for the Florida Conference, offers some of their stories.
Read story  

Commentary: Pet peeves of a church visitor

WASHINGTON — Churches need their most positive and smiling personalities on their front lines. Greg Atkinson, a church consultant, offers tips on where churches too often fall short in making visitors feel welcome. The Lewis Center for Church Leadership shares his commentary.
Read commentary 

 

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.

Thursday, June 8-Saturday, June 10

Florida Annual Conference — Buena Vista Palace Hotel, 1900 Buena Vista Drive, Orlando. The theme of this annual conference session is “Revive Us Again.” Details

Northwest Texas Annual Conference — Overton Hotel, 2322 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, Texas. The theme of the conference is “Sent” from John 20:21. Details

See more United Methodist events


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