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Daily Digest - May 22, 2015

“We are losing a whole generation of pupils because of this Ebola.” — Idrissa Kamara, principal of the Joseph and Carolyn Wagner United Methodist Secondary School in Sierra Leone.

A generation lost to Ebola

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Last July, the principal of the Joseph and Carolyn Wagner United Methodist Secondary School in the village of Kpetewoma chained and locked his classrooms when the Sierra Leone government ordered all schools closed in an effort to slow the transmission of the deadly Ebola virus. Now the schools have reopened, but an entire academic year was lost and some students may not return. Jan Snider reports in the last of a four-part series.
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See more UMNS Ebola coverage

Northeastern region considers possible episcopal reduction

WASHINGTON (UMNS) — In a letter to United Methodists in the denomination’s Northeastern Jurisdiction, the conference’s College of Bishops said it is in “prayerful consideration” regarding possible solutions to address the potential reduction of an episcopal area in the jurisdiction.
Read letter

Watch now: How to pack a health kit

NEW YORK (UMNS) — In this video, the Rev. Brian Diggs, director of the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s depot in Salt Lake City, takes viewers through the steps to assemble an UMCOR health kit, providing useful advice before items are shipped to any of the UMCOR Relief-Supply Network depots.
Watch video
 

A Wesleyan perspective on the Spirit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — This Sunday, we celebrate the feast of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. While most United Methodists can articulate what they believe about Jesus and are reasonably comfortable talking about God, our confidence might waver when talking about the Holy Spirit. A sermon credited to John Wesley and a hymn by Charles Wesley offer some insights into the sometimes misunderstood third member of the Trinity, writes Joe Iovino.
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Quiz yourself: United Methodist history

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Being strangely warmed sounds a little, well, strange. What do we call the day when John Wesley described his heart that way? Day Five, quiz fans.
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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.

Sunday, May 24
Heritage Sunday — United Methodists celebrate John Wesley's Aldersgate spiritual awakening on May 24, 1738, by also celebrating the history of the movement he started. This year's theme will focus on the Wesleyan movement's heritage of welcoming the stranger. The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History provides resources.

Thursday-Saturday, May 28-30
United Methodist Women’s History: Voices Lost & Found conference — In preparation for the 150th anniversary of the United Methodist Women in 2019, Methodist Theological School in Ohio will host a conference on campus, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware, Ohio. A $90 registration fee covers all conference activities, meals on Friday and breakfast on Saturday. One continuing education unit is available for an additional fee of $25. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.


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