Daily Digest - June 8, 2015

"Pray, pray, pray and be fearless in living out the ways that God calls us to love one another!" — A participant in the Aldersgate Covenant meeting says of the experience.

Research study shows church values differ

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — In the United States, perceptions of the denomination’s values differ by a United Methodist’s role and experience. What has a high degree of importance to a pastor may be of much less significance to a lay member. But most United Methodists agree that an emphasis on God’s grace is important. These are some of the findings of a new quantitative study by United Methodist Communications conducted in November-December 2014.
Read press release

Commentary: Faithful disciples, signs of revival

LEAWOOD, Kan. (UMNS) — In 2014, almost 200 United Methodists gathered for the Aldersgate Covenant, a 20-hour experience of worship, prayer and holy conversation. Arkansas Bishop Gary E. Mueller and Mary Brooke Casad, both members of the covenant’s steering team, recently wrote about how participants say the gathering affected their discipleship journey.
Read commentary

Book of Discipline updates distributed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Publishing House is distributing corrections to the Book of Discipline, the denomination’s book of law and teachings. The most significant corrections reflect a Judicial Council ruling in April that restores the conference committee on investigation in dealing with complaints against clergy.
Read UMNS on the ruling
See corrections in English

Jan Ott, wife of Bishop Ott, dies June 2

ELM GROVE, Wis. (UMNS) — Janet “Jan” Edith Pass Ott, wife of Bishop Donald Ott, died on Tuesday, June 2. She was 73. She taught in Illinois and Wisconsin public schools. Additionally, she worked for First Wisconsin Bank, the Milwaukee County Zoological Park and a Madison, Wisconsin, counseling center. Jan Ott for “seven decades plus, birthed, nurtured, protected and graced her world,” said her husband.
Read remembrance from Michigan Area

Episcopalians, United Methodists continue talks on full communion

NEW YORK (UMNS) — The Episcopal Church-United Methodist Church Dialogue Committee on Full Communion adopted a memorandum of understanding to guide its work through the end of 2017. Previous conversations resulted in an interim Eucharistic sharing agreement in 2006. The committee plans to agree to resolutions for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Read press release

1,000-mile bike ride to raise funds for Project Transformation

DALLAS (UMNS) — The Rev. Matt Gaston, pastor of University Park United Methodist Church, will hop on his bike June 10 and ride a winding route of more than 1,000 miles to Nashville, Tennessee. The 18-day ride will raise funds for opening Project Transformation in his church. The goal for Pedal for PT is $100,000. Project Transformation engages young adults in leadership and ministry with underserved children and families.
Donate or join the ride

Youth, young people submissions sought for General Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodist youth and young people are invited to share their best personal stories, visions and innovations for the church. Two people will be selected to express their thoughts in person at the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Oregon. Young People’s Ministries, part of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, is accepting video and text submissions through July 18.
Submit video or text
Get more information

History quiz: What do you know about women’s ordination?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Women have always made an impact on Methodism. Who was the first to be ordained in this tradition?
Take the quiz

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 11- Sunday, July 19
Lake Junaluska Summer Youth Events — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, will have multi-day spiritual formation gatherings throughout the summer. Details, including full schedule.

Sundays, June 14-Aug. 9
Lake Junaluska Summer Worship Series — 10:45 a.m. EDT each Sunday at the Stuart Auditorium of Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.