"Without taking students on missions, we aren’t doing our full job of raising them in a Christ-centered environment." — Michael LeBlanc, director of student ministries at First United Methodist Church in Winter Park, Florida.
Missions are investment in youth
LAKELAND, Fla. (UMNS) — Florida United Methodists are embracing young people by giving them unique opportunities to better themselves and their communities. Jessica Chapman has the story on how churches use missions to cultivate teen disciples.
Religion and Race top executive to stay on
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Erin Hawkins will remain top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, reversing her earlier plans to take on a new role in the California-Pacific Conference. Heather Hahn reports on the change.
Mourning Shimon Peres’ death
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has issued a statement mourning the passing of Shimon Peres, former prime minister and president of Israel, who died Sept. 28. “The National Council of Churches joins our many Jewish and other interfaith partners in recognizing the significance of Peres’ passing and pray that the cause of peace, for which he believed, will live on,” the statement said in part.
On holiday in Methodist archives
DALLAS (UMNS) — Priscilla Pope-Levison traveled to Manchester, England, to spend her summer vacation immersing herself in Methodist archives. She learned a lot, especially about the role of women in Britain’s Wesleyan/Holiness movement. Pope-Levison, associate dean for external programs at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, reflects on her unusual vacation.
Pearl River church celebrates landmark status
MADISON COUNTY, Miss. (UMNS) — General Conference, the denomination’s top legislative assembly, in May designated the historic Pearl River Methodist Church as a Heritage Landmark. The church and school, founded in 1833, served as a launching point for missionaries and ministers. United Methodists will celebrate Pearl River’s landmark status on Oct. 6, the Mississippi Conference reports.
Read about other Heritage Landmarks
World Communion Sunday: A celebration of unity
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — This weekend, United Methodists in churches around the world will take part in World Communion Sunday. Learn about the history of this special celebration, what it means today and how you can contribute to a special offering that helps provide scholarships for students in the U.S. and around the world.
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, Oct. 11
Webinar “Seeking God via Google” — 7 to 8 p.m. EDT. “Let me Google that” is today’s common response to most questions, from recipes to fact-checking politicians’ claims. It’s also where individuals ask spiritual questions such as “Does God love me?” This webinar will show you how your church or ministry can connect with people through Google. Details
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Webinar “Advent: Shaping Our Eschatological Imagination” — Noon EDT. Don Saliers, William R. Cannon professor of theology and worship emeritus and theologian-in-residence at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, will talk about how Advent scriptural images, hymns and sung prayers of the season form and express a congregation’s prophetic hope. Free but registration required. Details
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