Daily Digest: June 27, 2013

Thursday, June 27, 2013

"I believe that we United Methodists need to respond to whatever the Court may rule with these attitudes: prayer, patience and respect for one another." Indiana Area Bishop Michael J. Coyner, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.

U.S. court rulings impact same-sex couples

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The full ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings Wednesday, June 26, on same-sex marriage still are being hashed out. But the rulings already are winning praise from some United Methodists even as they trouble others. On one thing many United Methodists agree: The decisions will likely add fuel to a longtime denominational debate on how the church ministers to gays and lesbians.
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Guidelines for confronting a church shooter

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Religion News Service reports that for the first time, the federal government has issued written guidelines for houses of worship that are confronted with a homicidal person armed with a gun. Beyond seeking shelter and waiting for police to arrive, as many did in Newtown, Conn., the new rules also advise adults in congregations to fight back - as a last resort - in a bid to stop the shooter. The new federal doctrine is "run, hide or fight."
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See guidelines

Resources for responding to violence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - On any given day, United Methodists respond to tragedy by offering support. Find resources for helping people cope with violent events, read news coverage and learn how individuals as well as ministries make a positive difference, even in the most difficult of times.
Resources

Time is now to end gun violence

BLACKSBURG, Va. (UMNS) - The Rev. Glenn Tyndall was the United Methodist campus minister at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, when a young man killed 33 people including himself. Tyndall says the lasting lesson of that day should be "Never again."
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Hokie Nation stronger after 2007 shootings

BLACKSBURG, Va. (UMNS) - The Rev. Bret Gresham, now the United Methodist campus minister at Virginia Tech, talks about how the campus has changed since that fateful day.

"The tragedy that occurred that day could have broken our community, creating division and hatred. However, through all the pain, grief and struggle that followed the shootings, Virginia Tech has become a closer community intent on serving one another and others."
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Mentoring, scholarship program graduates six

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Six seminary students involved in a scholarship and mentoring program for racial-ethnic students who plan to be ordained as deacons or elders in The United Methodist Church are receiving Master of Divinity degrees this year. That brings to 19 the total graduates who participated in the Journey Toward Ordained Ministry program since it began in 2004.
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Bennett College names provost

GREENSBORO, N.C. (UMNS) - Bennett College has announced thatJoyce Blackwell has been appointed provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at the United Methodist-related institution. She is the chief academic officer for the college and responsible for all academic and student affairs.
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UMCOR meets new needs in Sudan

DARFUR, Sudan (UMNS) - At the request of Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is providing emergency shelter for new internally displaced persons after fresh violence interrupted what was thought to be progress toward a better life.
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More Resources

• Church andImmigration
• Imagine No Malaria
• Annual Conference Coverage
• Vital Congregations
• Dealing with disaster
• Rethink Church
• UMCOR
• UMConnections
• Ministry with the Poor
• Read additional UMNS Stories

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