"The Lord is using the United Methodist people to bless these children through education." — Patricia Amador, a Lydia Patterson Institute graduate who now teaches at the school.
United Methodist school still a beacon on border
EL PASO, Texas (UMNS) — Youth from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, journey by bus and foot each day to Lydia Patterson Institute, a United Methodist school in El Paso, Texas. Students at the school, founded in 1913, get a faith-based, English language education and 98 percent go on to college. Retired United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez calls the school “a community where miracles are expected and celebrated every day.” Sam Hodges reports.
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Fund fights mother-to-child HIV transmission
KANSAS CITY (UMNS) — While the United States has seen a dramatic drop in mother-to-child transmissions of HIV, developing nations have a different story to tell. The United Methodist Global Aids Fund is working to change that through Just Save One, an initiative that is funding projects around the globe working to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Linda Bales Todd, co-chair of the fund, spoke about the project at a meeting with members of the Great Plains and Missouri Conferences.
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Discipleship Ministries is agency’s new identity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Discipleship Ministries has officially become the new name of the general agency of The United Methodist Church known for years as the General Board of Discipleship, or GBOD. “The shift from General Board of Discipleship to Discipleship Ministries was an intentional decision to more clearly communicate the work we do,” said the Rev. Timothy L. Bias, the chief executive of Discipleship Ministries.
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Should churches have worship leaders?
HOUSTON (UMNS) — Jonathan Aigner, a United Methodist music minister, in his blog “Ponder Anew” suggests retiring the title worship leader. “If we consider that all the things we do in a worship service are to be acts of worship, it’s a little ridiculous to give the soloist the title of worship leader,” he writes.
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Quiz: What in nature is used as a symbol of Easter?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — We think of crosses and images of Jesus during Lent, but what in nature is used to represent (and teach about) this Christian season?
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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.
Thursday, March 5
Webinar "Classroom Management: Setting the Expectations so Everyone Can Thrive" — 7-8 p.m. EST. Elizabeth Christie, a Christian educator in the New York Conference, will lead a webinar on expectation covenants, what to do when infractions occur, and working with church leadership to identify behaviors that are non-negotiable. Practical Resources for Churches is sponsoring the webinar. Details.
Free webinar "The Committee: Reflecting Your Community" — 6:30 p.m. CST. Vital churches learn how to create ministries that connect to their communities. Designed for leaders in local congregations, this webinar will help you learn key principles and ideas to develop a vital ministry. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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