Daily Digest - March 25, 2013

"In a time when Christians tend to be categorized as evangelical or progressive, conservative or liberal, Gordon (Cosby) could not easily be labelled. He was a passionate follower of Jesus." - Dean Snyder, senior pastor of Foundry United Methodist Church.

Haiti 2013: Rebuilding St. Martin Methodist

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (UMNS) - It was a joyful Sunday recently for Lucienne Bazile and Noelzina Doavil at St. Martin Methodist Church. That was a dramatic change from a Sunday in January 2010 when services were amid the rubble of the church and school left behind by the earthquake days before. Doavil and Bazile were grieving then. United Methodists have helped to give Haitians a dramatic turnaround from the despair of three years ago.
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Haiti: The church responds

Women making history: Lessie Vonner

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (UMNS) - "I am lucky to have grown up around so many amazing women," says Lessie Vonner, a jazz trumpeter and active church musician. "Through First United Methodist Church, Grand Prairie, I was fortunate to meet Verna Edwards, one of the first women trumpet players in the Salvation Army Band and a soloist nonetheless." Vonner is one of the women featured during Women's History Month.
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United Methodist women making history

Dean Snyder reflects on Gordon Cosby's Jesus

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The Rev. Dean Snyder , senior pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church, observed in a commentary in The Washington Post that some people have said the late Gordon Cosby had a greater impact on the Protestant church in America over the past 50 years than any other institution or movement. "Gordon just did not seem to care about credit," wrote Snyder. "His concentration was totally upon applying the truth of Christ to conquer and heal poverty, racism, addiction and disease." Cosby's memorial service will be at Foundry on April 6.
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Top Discipleship exec to retire after 13 years

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt plans to retire after 13 years at the helm of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and more than 30 years as a staff member with the agency. She leaves behind a general church agency devoted to helping congregations become more vital and individual United Methodists become better disciples.
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Final central conference meeting of 2012-13

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland (UMNS) - From March 13-17, 110 delegates and guests from about 20 countries gathered in Winterthur for the 17th session of the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe. It was the final gathering of the jurisdictional and central conference meeting season that began in 2012.
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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 with others, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.

March 25-30 - Holy Week. United Methodist Board of Discipleship has worship resources.

March 31 - Easter. United Methodist Board of Discipleship has worship resources.

April 1 - Deadline for seminary students to apply for two internships at Oak Forest United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. Interns, who will receive a small stipend, will live and work in Barnabas House, the church's counseling and social work center. Send a letter outlining your interest in the internship, a copy of your rsum and three letters of recommendation to: Summer Internship, Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 2415 Fair Park Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72204. Learn more.

April 1 - Deadline for nominations of the Foundation for Evangelism's Culture of Call Church award, which recognizes a United Methodist congregation that encourages young people to respond to God's call to full-time Christian service. Nomination forms

April 2 - Deadline to register for free webinar on the intersection of maternal health and domestic violence, 3 p.m. ET, April 3, sponsored by United Methodist Women and Healthy Families, Healthy Planet. Details

April 2 - Free lecture on "Caring for our Aging Parents: Dementia and Mental Health Issues," at 7 p.m. ET, Killearn United Methodist Church, 2800 Shamrock St., Tallahassee, Fla. Details.

April 3 - Deadline to RSVP for "Rethinking the Mission: Developing a District Strategy" workshop, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. ET, April 11, Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, N.C. Details

April 3-7 - "Caring for God's Creation" retreat, Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, N.C. Details

April 5-8 - Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace and Justice, supported by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Details

April 5 - Deadline to sign up for South Central Small Church Leadership Institute, April 14-18, Mount Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center, Fayetteville, Ark. $199. Details

April 11 - Free webinar "The Pastor's Moving - the SPRC Role," 6:30 p.m. CT, tips for saying goodbye and welcoming pastors for members of staff-parish relations committees from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship. To register

April 11 - Deadline to register for online course, "United Methodism 101," April 17-May 29, provided by United Methodist Communications. Cost is $9.99. Details.

April 13 - "Own Your Health Now Event" health fair, 8 a.m. to noon CT, Bonner Springs, Kan., sponsored by area United Methodist churches, Rethink Church, Own Your Health now nonprofit. Details.

April 14 - Native American Ministries Sunday, in which special offering benefits Native American outreach within annual conferences and provides seminary scholarships to Native Americans. Details and to donate.

May 18-19 - Change the World. Join the United Methodist Rethink Church event that helps build community locally and fight malaria globally. Details.