Daily Digest - October 27, 2015

“Harry Potter is the gospel, told in a different way.” — The Rev. Susan Jarek-Glidden, Quincy Community United Methodist Church.

Court defers review of ‘Plan UMC Revised’

ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — A ruling on the constitutionality of legislation for a proposed organizational plan for The United Methodist Church has been deferred until May. During its Oct. 21-24 fall meeting, the United Methodist Judicial Council said that making a declaratory decision about one specific piece of proposed legislation “could intrude” on the full legislative authority of General Conference, the denomination’s top decision-making body.
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Church transforms into Hogwarts

QUINCY, Mass. (UMC.org) — Every October for the past 11 years, members of the Quincy Community United Methodist Church have transformed their church into the Hogwarts School from the Harry Potter series. One goal of the celebration is giving families with marginal incomes a magical day that adults and children could enjoy together.
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Retired top Marine helps with devotionals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — U.S. Gen. Charles C. Krulak, a former member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has agreed to serve on the advisory committee of Strength for Service Corporation. Krulak, a United Methodist and highly decorated military leader, will help with the ministry that brings devotionals to people in the military and emergency responders. Rich Peck of United Methodist Men has the story.
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Does Scouting change lives?

PHILADELPHIA (UMNS) — A three-year survey of young people ages 6-12 in the Philadelphia area shows the more time kids spend in scouting, the better the outcomes in character development. The survey found children who engage in scouting report positive changes in hopefulness, helpfulness, obedience, cheerfulness, kindness and trustworthiness. A Tufts University team did the research. United Methodist Men oversees the denomination’s scouting ministries.
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History of Hymns: ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God’

DALLAS (UMNS) — No hymn is identified with the Protestant Reformation more than Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress.” Luther left a body of congregational songs that both defined the Lutheran confessional tradition and became truly ecumenical in influence. C. Michael Hawn talks about the hymn’s development and dispels the myth that the melody began as a tavern song.
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What Martin Luther means to United Methodists

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.

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Deadline to register for Next Generation Leadership Conference on Saturday, Nov. 7 — Missouri Conference church leadership and Next Generation Ministries are collaborating on a conference at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. This event is for local church leaders of children, youth and college-age students as well as senior pastors. Sessions will deal with such topics as Safe Sanctuaries, ministry tools, mentoring and recruiting volunteers. $10. Details.

Vital Conversations: An Interactive Video Series on Today's Realities of Race and Racism — 6 p.m. PDT on the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race's website. The series begins with Robin DiAngelo's "Misunderstanding of Racism." DiAngelo is a professor of multicultural education at Westfield State University and the author of "What Does it Mean to Be White? Developing White Racial Literacy." Details.

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