“Accountability is a fundamental way of life among the people called Methodists. We are to hold one another accountable as a part of our spiritual disciplines as we live together in community.” — Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy Johnson on a proposed accountability covenant for bishops.
Bishops urged to adopt accountability covenant
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A bishops’ task force has recommended that the full Council of Bishops adopt a covenant of accountability. The proposed covenant, based largely on the bishops’ consecration vows, comes at a time when the denomination is struggling with declining U.S. worship attendance, deep divisions regarding homosexuality and questions of what it means for church leaders to be accountable. General Conference 2016 delegates will consider multiple proposals aimed at holding bishops’ feet to the fire. Heather Hahn reports.
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NJFON files Supreme Court brief for young immigrants
SPRINGFIELD, Va. (UMNS) — National Justice for Our Neighbors, a United Methodist network that advocates for immigration reform, filed a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court urging it to uphold two of President Obama’s immigration programs. The two programs provide temporary relief from deportation to young people brought to the U.S. as children and their parents. The court will hear oral arguments on April 18 and a decision is expected in late June or early July.
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Teaching children about Holy Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — The Holy Week story is not exactly family-friendly, but that doesn’t mean we can skip the part about Jesus’ journey to the cross when sharing our faith with our children. Joe Iovino reports.
How churches can get involved with farmers markets
MOBILE, Ala. (UMNS) — When churches get involved in farmers markets, they minister to farmers as well as shoppers by opening their parking lots and sports fields to this ministry. Cullan Duke, a member of Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile was part of a team that decided to serve their community in this way. Jeremy Steele has tips for how your church can get involved.
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‘Chuck Knows’ this California pastor
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. — The Rev. Sarah Heath, a Southern California United Methodist pastor, will appear March 14 in the final episode of the successful Chuck Knows Church web series, “The Committee.” Rancho Santa Margarita Patch reports on the series and Heath’s ministry.
Clark Atlanta working on crystal-growing research
ATLANTA (UMNS) — Clark Atlanta University is collaborating with Cornell, Johns Hopkins and Princeton on an effort to develop new bulk and thin film crystalline materials. Clark Atlanta is one of the 11 historically black colleges supported by the Black College Fund of The United Methodist Church.
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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.
Wednesday, March 16
Integrating Clinical Wisdom and Spirituality in Counseling and Psychotherapy — 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio. Featured speakers are: Vergel Lattimore, president of Hood Theological Seminary, and Jill Snodgrass, assistant professor of pastoral counseling at Loyola University Maryland and co-editor of the recently published, highly acclaimed book “Understanding Pastoral Counseling.” Continuing education credits are available for a $35 fee. Advance registration is required. Register
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