“Friends, in the face of this Fourth of July tragedy, let us channel our holy anger into action as we stand up for life while holding all those whose lives have been forever changed by this shooting and so many others in our prayers.” — Bishop John L. Hopkins
Northern Illinois Conference
Bishop responds to Independence Day shooting
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — After a mass shooting claimed seven lives and injured dozens of others at a Fourth of July parade, Bishop John L. Hopkins is urging United Methodists to act. “This mass shooting calls us to mourn, pray, remember innocent lives lost and strengthen our resolve to find ways to address the growing epidemic of gun violence in the United States,” wrote the interim bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference in a statement.
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Northern Illinois Conference: United Methodists pray, mourn after tragedy
Baltimore-Washington Conference
United Methodists welcome busloads of migrants
WASHINGTON — After Texas’ governor decided to send buses of migrants to the U.S. capital, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church and other members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference swung into action to provide care and compassion. The people arriving on the buses are legal immigrants, moving through the U.S. legal system as they seek asylum. Melissa Lauber reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Church helps agency with food distribution
PORT ROYAL, S.C. — With the recent increase of inflation and higher prices at grocery stores and markets, Port Royal United Methodist Church has received more requests for food to feed families in the community. Now the church has offered its parking lot and volunteers to help Second Helpings Agency with food distribution. The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate reports.
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UMC.org
Christians connect through texting
HIGH POINT, N.C. — A growing number of United Methodists have found texting to be a way to both encourage and be encouraged, as well as develop their faith alongside others, frequently in real time and regardless of location. Crystal Caviness has the story.
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UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
Personal Reflections on Life and Faith
Justice Blackmun, lifelong Methodist
LONGWOOD, Fla. — The Rev. Jim Harnish, a retired United Methodist elder, served as pastor to family members of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Harry Blackmun. Harnish got to know Justice Blackmun as well. The recent overturning of Roe vs. Wade, for which Blackmun wrote the majority opinion, prompted a blog post by Harnish on Blackmun’s Methodist background and values.
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ResourceUMC
State of the Church Report released
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church has released the 2021 State of the Church Report, which centers on the theme of claiming the denomination’s identity in faith and service to Christ. The report highlights the #BeUMC campaign, which celebrates the life-changing, diverse and global nature of The United Methodist Church.
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See report
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