Our hearts are broken for the people of Uvalde, Texas. We are devastated over the multiple lives lost during the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School.” — Bishop Robert Schnase, who leads the Rio Texas and New Mexico conferences.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Grieving, praying after attack on school
UVALDE, Texas (UM News) — United Methodists are stepping up to provide prayer and support after a shooting at an elementary school that took the lives of at least 19 children and two teachers. Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton is urging laity and clergy to “go on the offense” to stop mass shootings. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read Council of Bishops press release
UMCOR helps meet needs in Ukraine
ATLANTA — A shelter in Batiovo, Ukraine, is supported by the United Methodist Committee on Relief as part of its efforts to assist victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is one of 120 centers supplied with food, water, hygiene products and household appliances. Christie R. House reports.
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New England Conference
Retreat center cares for caregivers
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. — A new program at the New England Conference’s Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center hopes to be a space where healthcare professionals can pause, be heard and find support as a way of encouraging their own well-being. Conference staff report on “Listening Space in Healthcare,” an online small-group experience that launches June 6.
Read story
West Virginia Conference
‘Floods of Love’ group makes quilts for survivors
MEADOW BRIDGE, W.Va. — When the 2016 flood struck West Virginia, 20 women of Lockbridge United Methodist Church came together and created 300 quilts to be given to the families of the flood-ravaged areas. They called themselves “Floods of Love.” After a tornado hit Mayfield and surrounding areas in Kentucky in December 2021, the ladies sprang into action, making 175 quilts that they recently delivered to Mayfield in person. The Rev. Judy Pysell has the story.
PRESS RELEASES
Judicial Council
Bishops’ questions added to church court docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Judicial Council has added to its docket the request from the Council of Bishops to rule on the meaning and application of Paragraph 2548.2 in the Book of Discipline. The paragraph deals with the deeding of church property to another denomination. Briefs are due June 23, and reply briefs are due June 30.
See docket and how to submit briefs
Read Council of Bishops press release
Read Paragraph 2548.2
Wesley Theological Seminary
New diversity in Wesley faculty
WASHINGTON — Wesley Theological Seminary has appointed its first tenure-track female Latina and Asian professors. Lucila Crena, from Argentina, was named assistant professor in Christian ethics and public theology. Hyemin (Joanne) Na, from Korea, was appointed assistant professor of worship, media and culture and chapel elder. Wesley is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries.
Read press release
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.
Pandemic not over, church must stay engaged
BOISE, Idaho (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic is fading from America’s attention, but the battle is far from over, says Dr. David Boan, a missions team leader at Cathedral of the Rockies. “Its consequences will continue for decades, especially among the most vulnerable children,” he writes. “The church can and must continue to engage in this struggle.”
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Grants enrich United Methodist outreach in East Africa
Asking the hard questions about race
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Thursday, June 2-Saturday, June 4
Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference
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