“As a church, we are always thankful to God for sustaining us through worship, through nurturing. This is therefore a big thank you and a call to bring others to Christ.” — Zimbabwe Bishop Eben Kanukayi Nhiwatiwa about the 2014 Ebenezer Convention.
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Life-saving nets reaching families in Sierra Leone
BO, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Families by the hundreds here took advantage of their first recent chance to get insecticide-treated nets that provide protection against mosquito bites and the killer disease malaria. A distribution effort by Sierra Leone and United Methodists is employing health workers and others who teach how to use the nets safely and effectively. UMNS’s Kathy L. Gilbert reports from the scene.
Excitement high over Zimbabwe’s Ebenezer Convention
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — United Methodist churches and districts in Zimbabwe have been riding a wave of excitement in anticipation of the Aug. 15-17 Ebenezer Convention in Harare’s National Sports Stadium. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo has the details.
Read Q&A with Bishop Nhiwatiwa
Call for prayer for Seattle Pacific University
SEATTLE (UMNS) — Responding to a deadly shooting at Seattle Pacific University on Thursday that left one person dead and three injured, Greater Northwest Area Bishop Grant Hagiya has issued a call for prayer by the people of The United Methodist Church. The dean of Seattle Pacific University's School of Theology is a United Methodist. The school was founded by Free Methodists.
Read Bishop Hagiya's statement
Sierra Leone Video Diary: Celebration Thursday
BO, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Watch a net distribution parade to kick off maternal and child health awareness week and to celebrate the arrival of 350,000 life-saving mosquito bed nets in Sierra Leone. The celebration is part of The United Methodist Church effort to stop preventable malaria deaths in Africa.
Spotlight on stories of biblical women
CHICAGO (UMNS) — What will this summer’s Vacation Bible School participants learn about women when men are six times more likely to be mentioned in Bible stories? A “Women by the Numbers” feature from the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women highlights brief stories of biblical women, named and unnamed.
Helping ‘the folks from the woods’
LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (UMNS) — A few feet from Little River United Methodist Church live “the folks from the woods” — mostly men, a few women and some families, who pitch tents and cook over open fires. Jessica Connor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate shares how the church is reaching out to this homeless community.
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.
Free webinar “Children’s Ministry: Preparing Children for Kindergarten and Other Milestones,” Monday, June 9 — 10 a.m. CT. Program offers ways that the church can support and celebrate children as they embark on new stages in their lives. Details.
Free webinar “Key Responsibilities for an Effective Camp and Retreat Ministry Board,” Wednesday, June 11 — 3 p.m. CT, looking at specific aspects of the board’s work that must be done effectively to ensure a strong future for the mission and ministry. Details.
Free webinar “Sunday School Curriculum Review,” Thursday, June 12 — 7-8 p.m. ET, A discussion of the different types of curriculum available and factors to consider in selection, led by Debbie Kolacki, a certified Christian educator and United Methodist lay servant. Details.
Lake Junaluska Summer Youth Events, June 12 - July 20 — Lake Junaluska Youth Events will focus on being the Body of Christ through service, worship, and community with afternoons free for groups to customize their trip and explore the mountains of North Carolina. Leadership includes Shane Claiborne, Duffy Robbins, Andy Lambert, and more. Register at http://www.lakejunaluska.com/youth.
Peace with Justice Sunday, June 15 — The offering taken during Peace with Justice Sunday will allow The United Methodist Church to advocate through a broad spectrum of global programs. Details and resources.
Day 1, Sunday, June 15 — The Rev.Charles Reeb, senior pastor of Pasadena Community Church (United Methodist) will be the featured speaker Pentecost and Trinity Sunday on the nationally syndicated radio program “Day 1.” To listen.
Deadline to register for online course United Methodism 101, Monday, June 16 — Course offered June 18-July 30. Course from United Methodist Communications gives overview of church history, structure, beliefs, ministries and challenges. $9.99. Details.
Window on Wesley Theological Seminary, Tuesday, June 17 — 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET, Opportunity for prospective students to get to know the Wesley community and to experience a day-in-the-life of a Wesley seminarian. Details.
“Fierce With Age: Aging as a Spiritual Path,” retreat, Monday through Wednesday, June 23 – 25 — Carol Osborn, bestselling author of “Fierce with Age: Chasing God and Squirrels in Brooklyn” will lead retreat at Scarritt-Bennett. Costs range from $152 to $272 depending on whether guests stay overnight. Details.
Prepare: A Training for New Leaders, Monday-Tuesday, June 23-24 & Summer Institute, Tuesday to Friday, June 24-27 — Both events at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta aim to address that need by training, equipping, and building a network for new, seasoned, or prospective United Methodist collegiate ministers.. Combined cost of events is $100. Details.
Deadline to apply for CORR Action Fund grants, Monday, June 30 — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race will award grants of $20,000 to $80,000 to “innovative, bold, high-impact initiatives” that will increase intercultural competency or support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity and systemic equity. Details.
Free webinar “Finding Treasure: The Story of our Newest Stewardship Resource,” Thursday, July 10 — 6:30 p.m. CT. Jacob Armstrong, pastor and church planter, will share how he helped his congregation discover “where our treasure goes, our hearts will follow.” Details.
Deadline to register for Boards of Ordained Ministry Mid-Quadrennial Training, Friday, July 11 — Event for board officers and cabinet representatives will be Tuesday, Aug. 12 and ends by noon on Friday, Aug. 15 in Denver. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is sponsoring. Details.
Aldersgate 2014 Conference, Thursday to Sunday, July 17-20 — The national conference of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries will be at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Ill. The theme is freedom. Details.
Deadline to register for School of Congregational Development 2014, Tuesday, July 15 — Gathering Thursday-Sunday, Aug.14-17. The event is sponsored by the United Methodist boards of Discipleship and Global Ministries at Matthews United Methodist Church, Matthews, 801 S Trade St., Matthews, N.C. $425. Details.
Introduction to United Methodist Board of Church and Society seminar program, Wednesday-Friday, July 23-25 — Youth group and young adult leaders are invited to attend a three-day “In Focus” familiarization event about United Methodist Seminars on National and International Affairs. The program will introduce the seminars and will explain how to organize and lead a group for these tailored study experiences in the U.S. capital. Details.
Festival of Wisdom and Grace, Monday to Thursday, July 28-31 — Columbia (S.C.) Area Bishop Jonathan Holston will be the conference preacher at this time of worship and learning at Lake Junaluska (N.C) Conference and Retreat Center. The theme is “Living Ordinary Time with EEEE’s — Enthusiasm, Encouragement, Engagement and Empowerment.” Details.
Deadline to register for Just Save One conference to equip HIV and AIDS Ministries, Friday, Aug. 15 — The gathering will be Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 11-13 at the Renaissance Hotel in Denver and sponsored by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. Details.
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