“Save your strength. The road we are on will be long.” — Advice from the Rev. Ivana Procházková, superintendent of The United Methodist Church in Czechia, to United Methodists helping Ukrainian refugees.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe
Long-haul relief needed for Ukraine
ZURICH — United Methodists in countries near Ukraine continue to provide food, shelter, transportation, language classes and worship opportunities to Ukrainian refugees. The Rev. Ivana Procházková, a superintendent of The United Methodist Church in Czechia, encouraged United Methodist relief workers to pace themselves and prepare for a long-haul effort. Urs Schweizer reports.
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Church court evaluates bishops' decisions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s top court released five rulings March 30. Most stem from bishops’ decisions of law related to annual conference standing rules, General Conference deadlines and equitable compensation. Heather Hahn reports.
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Florida Conference
Taking on rising child malnutrition
LAKELAND, Fla. — As the director of global missions for the Florida Conference, Icel Rodriguez has seen need around the world. But on a recent trip to drought-ravaged Angola, she admits she was shocked by the malnutrition she saw. Joe Henderson reports on how the Florida Conference is working to get needed nourishment to kids.
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Fox16-KLRT
Community mourns burned church
COTTON PLANT, Ark. — A city is mourning the loss of a historic United Methodist church gutted in a night of fires that also destroyed two abandoned homes. Congregants and supporters of Cotton Plant United Methodist Church met at the ruins to hold a prayer service. “The building may be in ashes,” said the Rev. Melanie Tubbs, “but we are not.” Caitrin Assaf reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Dakotas, Iowa conferences
Kiesey to fill in for Haller as bishop
MITCHELL, S.D. — Retired Bishop Deborah Kiesey will lead the Iowa and Dakotas conferences while Bishop Laurie Haller is on medical leave. Haller fractured a wrist and was knocked unconscious during a run in February. She has been approved for medical leave for up to six months. Kiesey served as resident bishop in the Dakotas from 2004 to 2012. Bishop David Bard, president of the North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops, announced the move in a March 30 letter.
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COMMENTARIES
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.
The cost of being a strong woman
COMPTON, Calif. (UM News) — Being a clergywoman, especially a pastor of color, requires standing firm in faith and learning the importance of balance in life, writes the Rev. Adrienne M. Zackery, who leads two churches in Southern California. She offers recommendations for her fellow clergywomen, and insights on how the church can be true to equity and equality for women in The United Methodist Church and beyond.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Effort aims to stop General Conference delays
Knoxville church banks on outreach
EVENTS
Thursday, March 31
Webinar: “Church-Specific Insurance — Why It Matters”
Live panel: “Leading Women — From the Pulpit to the Boardroom”