Daily Digest - September 1, 2016

“John Wesley said the Methodists are one people throughout the world. It’s in this conference, as we gather together from so many different places, that that unity becomes visible.” — United Methodist Bishop Scott Jones, describing the World Methodist Conference.

World Methodist Conference gathers Wesleyan family

HOUSTON (UMNS) — The 21st World Methodist Conference, underway here through Sept. 3, has brought together some 2,500 faithful, from 108 countries and 88 communions, including The United Methodist Church. The once-every-five-years event features preaching, singing, teaching and networking. Sam Hodges reports.
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United Methodists, Native Americans oppose pipeline

NEAR STANDING ROCK RESERVATION, North Dakota (UMNS) — United Methodists are supporting a Native American fight against a four-state oil pipeline that protesters say would endanger sacred sites and water quality. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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Responding to floods, tornadoes in Indiana

NEW YORK (UMNS) — When a tornado barreled through Kokomo, Indiana, on Aug. 24, it left a thriving community service program, started by a United Methodist pastor, on hold. Further north in the state, record rainfall the week before flooded about 1,000 homes. Indiana United Methodists, with help from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, are responding. Linda Bloom reports.
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Call to walk and pray unites diverse Christians

OKLAHOMA CITY (UMNS) — United in Jesus, a group of more than 1,000 believers rallied for a prayer walk in August that began on the west side of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and culminated in a prayer service at Oklahoma City’s First United Methodist Church. The Christians sought to counter a satanic-themed event nearby, reports Holly McCray of the Oklahoma Conference.
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Grants available for ecumenical and interfaith work

NEW YORK (UMNS) — The Council of Bishops Office of Christian Unity and Interreligious Relationships will award three $1,000 local initiative grants to United Methodist projects that strengthen ecumenical and/or interreligious relationships. Such projects may include building networks on a local level, among specific groups, such as young adults. The deadline to apply is Sept. 16, and recipients will be announced Nov. 18.
To apply 

Appeal for refugee petition to U.N.

GENEVA (WCC) — The World Council of Churches is encouraging “all people of good will” to sign a petition to be sent to U.N. headquarters for the Sept. 19 General Assembly meeting in support of the #WithRefugees campaign of the U.N. refugee agency. “Migration is a human reality that needs managing, rather than a problem to be solved,” says the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, WCC’s top executive, in a video message.
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See petition 

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.

Tuesday, Sept. 6 to Sunday, Sept. 18

Online course "Come to the Waters" for lay servants from BeADisciple.com — Deepen your congregation’s experience of baptism, confirmation and reaffirmation of baptism through this wide-ranging study of “By Water and the Spirit,” Scripture, church history and United Methodist theology and practice of the sacrament. 1 CEU will be awarded. $65. Details

Wednesdays, Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28, Oct. 5 and 12 and Nov. 9

Lecture series “Faith & Politics in the 21st Century” at Candler School of Theology — 6 p.m. Eastern Time, unless otherwise stated. Candler School of Theology’s James T. and Berta R. Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership will sponsor a fall lecture series on faith and politics in the 21st century. Emory University’s Candler School of Theology is at 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta. Lectures are free, but registration is required. Details

More upcoming United Methodist events