Daily Digest: May 16, 2014

“There is vulnerability in this worship that doesn’t exist in other places. These people don’t have any pretense about how broken they are. They’re coming to find recovery and freedom.” – The Rev. Larry Carroll on the Recovery at Cokesbury ministry.

Recovery network reaches hundreds with gospel
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Church vans full of people arrive from all over town at Cokesbury United Methodist Church on Thursday nights. And now the Recovery of Cokesbury has expanded beyond its home base establishing a franchise-like network of worship- and small-group programs. Annette Spence of the Holston Annual (regional) Conference tells about the impact of this ministry.

Read story

Does Methodism have a usable past?
MADISON, N.J. (UMNS) — Our history comes into focus this month as United Methodists observe Heritage Sunday (May 18). The Rev. Robert J. Williams Jr., with the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, explains how our history is intertwined with the present.

Read story and post comment

Five tips for grads in a tight job market
WESTERVILLE, Ohio (UMNS) — It can be tough out there for a recent college grad. But Ryan Brechbill of United Methodist-related Otterbein University has five tips that can help graduates in a competitive job market.

Read story and post a comment

Beijing pastors provide glimpse into Christian China
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — A typical Sunday for the Rev. Wang Xuan includes preaching to more than 10,000 people, leading a choir practice, visiting home-bound parishioners, handling administrative tasks, and preparing for her next sermon. She is one of five leading Christian pastors from Beijing, China, spending the semester at United Methodist-related Wesley Theological Seminary to complete an intensive study. Amy Shelton and Erik Alsgaard have the story.

Read story

Publishing House move under negotiations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Publishing House board approved the first phase of negotiations to move into a new home in the Metro Center area of the city, said Larry Wallace, chief financial officer. The publishing house divided its Nashville headquarters 7.06-acre site into four parcels in August 2013. One 0.92 acre parcel has sold and the sale of another is expected to close within a week. The Metro Center location is under consideration but a purchase contract has not been finalized, Wallace said. The publishing house has been in its current location since 1957.

More about the Publishing House

Nyadire school changes lives of hearing impaired
MUTOKO, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Twenty-seven deaf or hearing impaired students at the Nyadire Primary School in Mutoko, Zimbabwe, have found more than an education at the United Methodist Church mission. The children and their parents have found hope.

Read news release

UMCOR rebuilds 200 homes in Philippines
EDIA, Philippines (UMNS) — Six months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines and left thousands of people homeless, UMCOR is rebuilding 200 homes in Calogcog, a devastated community in the town of Tanauan. The reconstruction is made possible by a $2.7 million grant approved by the UMCOR board of directors in April.

View video

Grants available for ethnic social justice ministries
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is receiving grant requests to fund ethnic minority start-up ministries that address concerns such as housing, employment, health care, human rights, education, the environment and racism. There is no required minimum or maximum amount. Deadline is Aug. 10.

Read news release

Mozambique trio bringing ‘passionate worship’ to conference
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (UMNS) — The M’punzu Trio, an African jazz group from Mozambique, will help the Missouri Annual (regional) Conference bring “passionate worship” to the June 5-6 annual gathering. The trio will then go on a tour of United Methodist churches in Missouri through the end of June.

Listen to one of their songs

More about Mozambique/Missouri connection

Pastor calls for conflict-resolution training
CHICAGO (UMNS) — The Rev. P. Devon Brown, pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church, calls for conflict resolution training from preschool through high school. He issued the call on Facebook following the shooting and killing of Leonore Draper, 32, a member of St. Mark.

See Brown’s posting

See article about shooting of Draper

Church diaper donation drive leads to 'No Baby Wet Behind'
ABSECON, N.J. (UMNS) — United Methodist Women of the Absecon United Methodist Church declared May "diaper month" and chose Mother's Day weekend to kick off its participation in the "No Baby Wet Behind" program, spearheaded by the Family Service Association of South Jersey. Donations of disposable diapers will go to the children of low-income families in the community. PressofAtlanticCity.com has the story.

Read story

North Central College names new campus chaplain
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (UMNS) — The Rev. Eric Doolittle, interim Protestant chaplain at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington has been named chaplain at North Central College. He has served as a pastor in three United Methodist congregations in Tennessee and as chaplain at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tenn.

Read Northern Illinois Conference news release


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - Jan. 10, 2025

United Methodists offer relief as wildfires rage; Church hospital provides beacon of hope; 7 trends impacting church leadership

UM News Digest - Jan. 8, 2025

Church promotes peace in Mozambique; Teacher’s legacy creates partnership; COVID-born ministry still going strong

UM News Digest - Jan. 6, 2025

Reflecting on 2024: The year in photos; Bishop remembered for ministry, music; Coming out with the new Book of Discipline

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved