Daily Digest - September 13, 2012

"There is nothing so beautiful as people of God coming together and focusing on one cause and fighting for the life of people." - Hannah Mafunda, coordinator of the Zimbabwe health board.

Adding skills to end malaria in Africa

ACCRA, Ghana (UMNS) - It's a really big job - overseeing health care for more than half a million people in 15 African countries - but 219 United Methodist health board members wake up and do it every day.
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Presidential debate at University of Denver

DENVER (UMNS) - The University of Denver, a United Methodist-related institution, is scheduled to host a televised presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney on Oct. 3. The debate, one of three between the presidential candidates, will focus on U.S. domestic issues. The university has played host to presidents and presidential candidates since Oct. 3, 1911, when President William Howard Taft visited the campus.
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'Elders' release declaration for change

NEW YORK (UMNS) - The National Council of Elders, a group formed by civil rights veterans, the Revs. James and Phil Lawson, United Methodists, and the Rev. Vincent Harding, released its "Greensboro Declaration" on Sept. 12.
Read statement

Complaint process overview

CHICAGO (UMNS) - The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women and the General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination's finance agency, will offer an hour-long free webinar, "The United Methodist Complaint Process Overview - What's New, What's Not," at noon CDT Sept. 18.The Rev. Darryl Stephens, Rick Rettberg and Joy Melton will lead the webinar for bishops, district superintendents, chancellors and others involved in the complaint process.
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Webinar for those who work with older adults

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Clergy, laity and professionals seeking a spiritual framework for their work with older adults can benefit from "Faith and Aging," a new webinar series from The Upper Room at 11:30 a.m. CDT on four successive Tuesdays beginning Oct. 9. Jerry Haas, spiritual director for The Upper Room, a division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, will host the series. Registration for a single webinar session is $14.95, or the cost for all four sessions is $49.95. Recorded versions of the webinars will be available after the live events at the same rate.
To learn more and to register

Pastor disagrees 'race' issue in Bledsoe case

KRUM, Texas (UMNS) - "The South Central Jurisdiction episcopacy committee's approach is called "'Christian,' not racist. This is called living out of the spirit of the law - the higher calling to which we are all subject," wrote the Rev. Christy Thomas of First United Methodist Church in Krum in response to a commentary by the Rev. Henry L. Masters Sr. of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church in Dallas. Both commentaries, published recently in the United Methodist Reporter, discussed the South Central Jurisdiction's decision to force Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe into retirement.
Read the Thomas commentary
Read the Masters commentary

Retreat for women slated

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Scarritt-Bennett Center, a United Methodist Women retreat center, will host "Coming Home to Our True Selves," a retreat for women, Sept. 21-22. The Rev. Janet Salyer, a licensed professional counselor, spiritual director and Presbyterian minister, will help participants explore practices that enhance positive self-esteem, promote health and well-being, and encourage satisfying and healthy relationships. The retreat is $75 for commuters and $150 for those who stay overnight.
Learn more and register