“This is a critical moment to be here, to be present with ordinary people as they struggle to survive.” — The Rev. Larry Clark, a retired United Methodist pastor, on visiting the Holy Land.
TOP STORY
Pastor goes on pilgrimage for peace in Holy Land
JERUSALEM (UM News) — As war drives away tourists, the Rev. Larry Clark joined 11 other Christians from the U.S. in a trip to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to mistreatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The retired United Methodist pastor, who has made 15 trips to the Holy Land since the 1980s, said, “It’s important to be a witness.” Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
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NEWS AND FEATURES
Robbins was ‘shining light’ for ecumenism
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — The Rev. Bruce W. Robbins, who died Aug. 3 at age 73, is being remembered as an advocate for Christian unity and interfaith dialogue and “one of the church’s bright and shining lights.” Robbins held both staff and top leadership roles with the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns and later served as senior pastor of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Linda Bloom reports.
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Arkansas Conference
United Methodists keep property as suit ends
JONESBORO, Ark. — All parties in the lawsuit involving Jonesboro First United Methodist Church property have agreed to a settlement, resolving a case that began in December 2022 when a breakaway congregation sued. Under the agreement, The United Methodist Church and the United Methodist congregation keep ownership of the property. In addition, Jonesboro First United Methodist Church will receive $1.1 million. “I am grateful for all whose efforts have brought this case to a close by mutual agreement,” said Arkansas Conference Bishop Laura Merrill in a statement.
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KAIT: Arkansas Conference, Jonesboro church settle lawsuit
Upper New York Conference
Passing the cup: Communion tray continues to serve
MORRISONVILLE, N.Y. — A piece of Morrisonville United Methodist Church, which closed in 2023, lives on. This summer, a connection was made and a communion tray that once belonged to the closed church is getting a second lease on life at Omar-Fishers Landing United Methodist Church for another congregation to enjoy. Shelby Winchell has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Church struggles after vandals destroy AC
SUMTER, S.C. — A South Carolina church that has been a beacon in the community for more than a century is struggling this season after vandalism left the church without a working air conditioning system. Now Emmanuel United Methodist Church is battling insurance claims as it tries to raise funds for a new unit. Jessica Brodie reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
Ecumenical group grieves hostage deaths
GENEVA — The World Council of Churches joins all those grieving the loss of six hostages whose bodies were recovered in Gaza on Aug. 31, said the ecumenical group’s top executive, the Rev. Jerry Pillay. “We call for an immediate ceasefire to end the violence,” he added in a statement.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Digest commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
The role of Confucianism in East Asian Christianity
OLD TOWN, Maine (UM News) — Many Asians grew up with a grounding in Confucianism that continued to inform their faith even after embracing Christianity. Dialogue and mutual understanding of different cultures — Confucian and White Anglo Protestantism — will strengthen and help carry out effective cross-racial and cross-cultural ministries, writes the Rev. Dr. Jung Sun Oh.
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RESOURCES
Edgehill United Methodist Church
Podcast hosts to speak at church on election
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Edgehill United Methodist Church is scheduled to host Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers during worship at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8. The two, who will lead a Q&A after worship, are hosts of the “Pantsuit Politics” podcast and authors of “I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-filled Political Conversations.”
See Facebook event post
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