Daily Digest - March 15, 2022

“I told the Lord that I needed help with this house, and God sent me the right people to get it done.” — Debra Duhon, whose Lake Charles, Louisiana, home is being rebuilt by a multifaith coalition of United Methodists, Mennonites and Amish. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Multifaith coalition helps repair storm damage
LAKE CHARLES, La. (UM News) — A unique partnership formed between the United Methodist, Mennonite and Amish communities is helping with recovery and rebuilding efforts in storm-ridden southwestern Louisiana. Story by Joey Butler, with photos by Mike DuBose.
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Louisiana’s long road to recovery
THIBODAUX, La. (UM News) — Six months after Hurricane Ida devastated much of Louisiana, the Louisiana Conference and the United Methodist Committee on Relief are still overseeing recovery efforts. Joey Butler has the story, and Mike DuBose has photos. 
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UM News: Finding hope amid tragedy after tornadoes

New York Conference
Former church becomes home for seniors
NEW YORK — The recent completion of the Trinity-Rev. William M. James Senior Housing Complex is a prime example of how to repurpose a church property for the good of the community. Fifty-seven formerly homeless seniors as well as 86 seniors and their spouses have already moved into the 12-story Bronx facility, the former site of Trinity-Morrisania United Methodist Church. The New York Conference’s communications staff has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
Church loves, supports Ukrainian orphans
COLUMBUS, Ga. — For more than 20 years, members and pastors of St. Paul United Methodist Church have traveled to Krivoy Rog, Ukraine, and built partnerships with three area orphanages. As the crisis in Ukraine is ongoing, the church is working to maintain connections and provide supplies for the children. Kara Witherow has the story.
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KQ2.com
Missouri church hosts rally for Ukraine
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Francis Street First United Methodist Church hosted a community rally in support of Ukraine. The March 13 event included speeches, singing, prayers and fundraising. Jackie Elson reports.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.

Mental health and the Black church
ST. PAUL, Minn. (UM News) — A recent Barna Group study shows that Black church leaders and members have experienced high levels of depression and mental stress during the pandemic, with 15% suffering the loss of a loved one as compared with 7% of white church attendees during the same time, writes the Rev. Dr. Ron Bell. The church must invest in the emotional health of Black church members, he writes.
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RESOURCES

United Methodists for Kairos Response
Seminar will teach effective advocacy
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — A March 16 webinar will feature four experts talking about how church activists can advocate more effectively. Among the presenters is the Rev. John Wagner, a United Methodist elder who focuses on Palestinian rights. 
Read press release
Register

United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Webinar examines ‘To Stay or Not to Stay’
CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Numerous congregations and church leaders are weighing whether they want to stay United Methodist or leave for a new theologically conservative denomination. The United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy and Friends, which plans to stay United Methodist, has scheduled a free webinar to explore issues surrounding whether “to stay or not to stay.” The webinar is set for 6 p.m. U.S. Mountain time April 5.
To learn more and register


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EVENTS

Tuesday, March 22
Raise Up Your Voice Against Racism webinar: How to Be an Anti-Racist Church