“Papa had this sense of what was right and wrong.” — Elaine Jenkins on her father, Esau Jenkins, a civil rights activist.
A bus ride out of segregation
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — When the new National Museum of African American History and Culture opens Sept. 24 on the National Mall in Washington, one of the permanent exhibits will include part of a 1968 Volkswagen bus owned by Esau Jenkins, a devout United Methodist and civil rights activist from Charleston. His children and other family members will take part in the opening festivities. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Church becomes safe place from floodwaters
WATSON, La. (UMNS) — Live Oak United Methodist Church became a refuge for more than 400 people fleeing for their lives after historic flooding. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Farmers who sowed Methodism in America
NEW WINDSOR, Md. (UMC.org) — What looks like a modest collection of old farm buildings in New Windsor is actually an important landmark for United Methodists. Curious visitors can see the home of Robert Strawbridge, who was the first Methodist lay preacher in America. A UMC.org video celebrates this part of church history.
Commentary: Global migration demands action
NEW YORK (UMNS) — On the eve of a High Level Summit for Refugees and Migrants, which starts Sept. 19 at the U.N., the Rev. Levi Bautista writes that the “enormity” of the current global movement of peoples, “especially the involuntary and forced movement of peoples,” calls for action. Bautista, a staff executive with the Board of Church and Society, is among the United Methodists attending the summit.
135 churches participate in 9/11 book presentations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A total of 135 churches responded to an offer to purchase cases of “Strength for Service” devotional books for presentations on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. Churches gave away at least 7,000 copies to first responders or military troops. Rich Peck of United Methodist Men reports.
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Pastor among 22 arrested in child sex sting
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Twenty-two men, including a United Methodist pastor, were arrested in an internet child sex sting. The Alabama-West Florida Conference said David Donald Hoppenjan no longer works at First United Methodist Church of Pace. “As a church, we take any allegation of clergy misconduct very seriously,” the conference said.
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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.
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Candler’s Whiteside Lecture “Preaching Anti-Racism Amid the Backlash and Resistance of White Moral Injury?” — 11 a.m. EDT. Dale P. Andrews, professor of homiletics, social justice and practical theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School, will speak in Room 252 of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta. Free but registration required. Details
Wesley Theological Seminary’s Water Cooler Wednesdays — 12:15-1:30 p.m. EDT. The first of periodic gatherings to discuss faith in the public square. Each event will be the third Wednesday of the month at Wesley Downtown, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. The Rev. Jennifer Butler, chief executive officer of Faith in Public Life, and Tim Goeglein, vice president of external relations for Focus on the Family, will speak on Sept. 21. Details
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