NOTE: This is a digest of news features provided by United Methodist Communications for June 30-July 3. It includes summaries of United Methodist News Service stories and additional briefs from around the United Methodist connection. Full versions of the stories with photographs and related features can be found at umc.org/news.
News around the connection
Court: Contraception mandate violates religious freedom
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 30 that requiring some for-profit corporations to pay for insurance coverage of contraception violates a federal law protecting religious freedom. The 5-4 decision limits the coverage of birth control without patients' cost-sharing, as mandated under regulations for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. United Methodists and other Christians across the theological spectrum have been watching the case.
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See decision
Ebola changes church life in eastern Sierra Leone
KENEMA, Sierra Leone (UMNS) - The Ebola epidemic has forced the relocation of a United Methodist pastor from a new mission area in eastern Sierra Leone and significantly changed congregational life there. The United Methodist Church is launching an Ebola Emergency Response Plan in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
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More on United Methodist Ebola response
Retired pastor dies in self-immolation
DALLAS (UMNS) - A retired United Methodist pastor doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire June 23 in a parking lot in Grand Saline, Texas, where he grew up. The Rev. Charles R. Moore died that night at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Moore had been an activist against the death penalty and for gay rights in The United Methodist Church. Family members released notes he left behind, showing he saw his final act as a protest against social injustice, including racism.
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Church mourns passing of Native American leader
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (UMNS) - United Methodists across the country are mourning the June 21 death of Zora "Susie" Aikman, an influential leader in the denomination's Native American ministries. She was 69. An Eastern Band Cherokee, she was most proud of her work during the last 20 years with the descendants of the Sand Creek Massacre survivors. A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. MT at Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church.
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Volunteers, residents work together in Appalachia
NEW YORK (UMNS) - This summer, residents of rural central Appalachia will be repairing their homes with the help of some 14,000 volunteers. The connection is made through the Appalachia Service Project. Susan Kim has the story for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
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Civil rights and Freedom Summer
Civil Rights Act: Still relevant
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Before the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, long-distance travel meant sleeping in the car because hotels would not accept African Americans as guests, remembers retired United Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert.
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UMNS seeks your reflections from summer of 1964
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Did you participate in Freedom Summer? Where were you in July 1964 when Congress passed the Civil Rights Act declaring discrimination based on race was illegal? Send a short written reflection to United Methodist News Service.
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Reaching youth and young adults
'Collective' offers alternative faith community
DELAND, Fla. (UMNS) - Recognizing that many young adults still seek meaning in faith and in community, members of First United Methodist helped start a congregation, called "Collective," for those they couldn't reach with modern traditional church services. Suzy Kridner Wymes reports for The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
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Gateway to church for young adults
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UMNS) - An 8-year-old ministry in North Carolina's largest city is flourishing where many mainline churches are falling short: reaching 20- and 30-somethings. Ken Garfield has the story of Charlotte/One, a cooperative ministry of 52 churches held at First United Methodist Church. Garfield is writing for Duke University's Faith and Leadership.
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UMTV: Church soccer outreach
SEVILLE, Fla. (UMNS) - Caught up in World Cup fever? This video shares how Seville Trinity United Methodist Church is using soccer to connect with recent immigrants to the area.
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Other news of interest
British Methodist membership drops
BIRMINGHAM, England (UMNS) - Latest statistics for the British Methodist Church show a significant drop in membership over the past decade, the Rev. Martyn Atkins, the church's top executive, reported June 30. The British Methodist Conference, which meets through July 3, will consider the entire statistics report July 2.
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British Methodists to study same-sex marriage
BIRMINGHAM, England (UMNS) - The British Methodist Church has committed to a two-year period of listening, reflecting and discernment following the legalization of same-sex marriage in England, Wales and Scotland earlier this year.
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New WCC Central Committee meets
GENEVA (UMNS) - The first full meeting of the new Central Committee of the World Council of Churches started July 2 and continues through July 8. United Methodist representatives include retired Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, co-vice moderator. Swenson is also the ecumenical officer for the United Methodist Council of Bishops.
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United Methodists on Central Committee
NCC still concerned over Sudanese Christian
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The National Council of Churches, one of a multitude of international government and religious organizations protesting the death sentence in Sudan of a Christian woman, expressed relief that Meriam Ibrahim's sentence has been vacated. But the council expressed ongoing concern that Ibrahim, 27, has been denied permission to leave Sudan and may still be in danger.
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News around conferences
Bishop McLee requests leave of absence
NEW YORK (UMNS) - New York Area Bishop Martin McLee has been ill and is asking the Council of Bishops for a leave of absence "in order to continue my healing and restoration." Under Paragraph 410.1 of the Book of Discipline, the denomination's law book, a bishop may be granted a leave of absence for no more than six months. The leave requires the approval of the McLee's college of bishops, the Northeastern Jurisdiction committee on episcopacy and the executive committee of the Council of Bishops.
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Indiana Conference launches growth campaign
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) - More than 300 United Methodists in the Indiana Annual Conference are answering the call to establish a "New Point of Light." Indiana Area Bishop Mike Coyner has challenged Indiana United Methodist congregations to start a worship service, Bible study or other organized effort to reach new people with the light of Christ. Daniel R. Gangler shares the story of the overwhelming response.
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To contribute to campaign
Resources for churches
History of Hymns: 'Take this Moment, Sign and Space'
DALLAS (UMNS) - C. Michael Hawn of Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology compares this hymn of consecration, first published in 1989, to the hymn "Take My Life," published more than a century earlier. John L. Bell's more recent addition to worship music is No. 3118 in the United Methodist "Worship & Song."
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Discounts available on 2015 program calendars
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Before Aug. 31, United Methodist Communications is offering discounts on the 2015 Official United Methodist Calendar. The calendar, with the theme "Transforming the World for Christ," comes in a variety of formats.
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Blogs and commentaries
Commentary: Why I am United Methodist
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - An aunt who served as a missionary, "the best Sunday school teacher in the whole world," and the Methodist Youth Fellowship were among the influences on the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe's faith journey. She is the top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
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Why I am United Methodist
Church inspired crossing boundaries, reflecting critically, praying earnestly, thinking globally
by Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
Editor's note: This is the first in a series of reflections on their own faith journeys written by members of the staff of the General Board of Church & Society. The photo is a compilation of items each person brought to a day-long retreat with the agency’s new general secretary last fall. Each item is a personal icon representing a staff member’s faith journey.I come from a family that supported a young woman, my Aunt Della Wright, who in 1905 in her 20s was the second principal of the Colegio Metodista Americano in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Aunt Della lived her life in Brazil, Texas and on the margins of life.
Susan Henry CroweThe best Sunday School teacher in the whole world was a middle-aged, white businessman who inspired my love of thinking theologically. Mr. Buchanan had us as high-school students read Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, and form critical methods of reading Scripture. He led us in wonderful ethical and theological discussions that were relevant and engaging every Sunday morning.
Our sub-District and District Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) worked together. Our church and our District’s youths worked across economic and cultural lines in the Anderson Rd. Mission of our denomination. We tutored, played basketball and were very present to children and young adults we would never have known otherwise.
Olene Civils, our church’s Director of Education, was a deaconess. She guided our MYF study for over a year on the Middle East. The summer of 1967, at the time of the Six Day War, 45 MYFers from our church were at our denomination’s Church Center at the United Nations in New York City watching King Hussein of Jordan enter the U.N. headquarters across the street.
Church helped see larger world
Some years later, I articulated that it was the Church that helped me glimpse a world where as a Christian I would never be completely at home in Greenville, S.C. And I never was. I would need a larger world to satisfy my curiosity, my longing to understand Christian life from the eyes of those in textile communities, rural communities, John's Island, S.C., Jerusalem, Palestine, countries of Europe and Africa.
Susan Henry-Crowe with Palestinian childrenSusan Henry-Crowe is shown among Palestinian Christians during one of her several visits to the Middle East.
I went to my first high-school prom with a young gay man. My church cared for him and all of its youths. The culture may have stigmatized him, but my church did not.
The summer I graduated from high school, I participated in a Migrant Ministry program on Johns Island with other Methodist, Lutheran and Catholic young people. I worked with women and children. We met in the camps each night with families who lived in extremely crowded, hot, spartan, unsanitary conditions. I helped a young woman give birth to her baby when the hospital would not admit her. I got hepatitis.
In college at the Wesley Foundation, there were Bible studies, theological reflections, retreats and several times a week outreach to a girls’ home. We went to Columbia, S.C., to civil-rights demonstrations and anti-war protests. We also went on retreats, sat around campfires singing, and undertook basic Christian formation.
Early wave of women into ordained ministry
I was ordained with the early wave of women into the ministry of The United Methodist Church. Bishop James Thomas’ and Bishop Edward Tullis’ names are on my ordination credentials. I think they were as proud of me as I was to belong among them.
I served three pastoral appointments in rural and textile communities in South Carolina. I loved the people of those communities.
I served a parish in conservative Strom Thurmond territory. I loved the people of that community. I have many stories of how they journeyed in having a young woman pastor, and how I journeyed into lands I never knew.
I served on the South Carolina Conference Council on Ministries, holding almost every portfolio of the UMC. Serving with Bishop Roy Clark and Joseph Bethea, the ground was laid for five cross-racial appointments in South Carolina in 1989. It was hard and painful and joyful work.
I served for 22 joy-filled years as Dean of the Chapel & Religious Life at Emory University, serving the needs of the university in eight schools and 30 religious communities. Multi-faith work in a large university grounded in the ecumenical spirit of Methodism was a great joy.
The Church’s gift
I am sharing this because it is this Church that gave me and continues to give millions of young people this gift: crossing boundaries, reflecting critically, praying earnestly, thinking globally, living in communities I, nor they, would ever have known or come to understand. The Church put me in places as a 12-year-old, a 16-year-old, an 18-year-old, at 21 to 25 … I learned firsthand that there are greater and lesser resources, vision, and people and communities that are not homogenous.
The Church gave me a way to see Christ in the world not just from the eyes of privilege, but from the eyes of migrant workers, of textile workers, of Strom Thurmond conservatives — all whom I loved. I knew nothing about textile workers: The Church gave me that gift. I knew nothing about the Middle East: The Church gave me that. I did not know many Strom Thurmond conservatives, and I loved them.
Christian formation, education, outreach and justice, love of God and love of God's world are the gifts given to and illuminated for me.
Treasure ‘the Connection’
I treasure what we historically, pragmatically and legally call "the Connection." But that word does not fully indicate what it is. The Connection is Christian life together, of prayer, of sacraments, of teaching, of living, of bearing witness, of doing good, of visiting those in prison, standing with migrants, working alongside immigrants, to holding the broken hearted, of hallowing to the Joy of the Gospel of the Risen Christ throughout the whole inhabited earth.
We must move organically from fear, suspicion and brokenness to respect and trust. The Church must be inclusive of all. Fully and completely. A Church divided can never fully heal. We know divisions of the Church throughout the centuries break the heart of God and violate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world needs this Methodist family, as broken and wounded as we are.
I am United Methodist because of the gifts given me and to which I hold, believe, teach, preach, treasure, and am in love with: one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one Order, one worldwide United Methodist Church.
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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, email newsdesk@umcom.org and put Digest in the subject line.
Deadline to register for five online courses from United Methodist Communications, Tuesday, July 8 - United Methodist Communications will offer the following courses July 9-Aug. 20. "Communicating Faith in the 21st Century," "Connectional Giving," "Moodle 200 - Advanced Training," "Web Ministry 100: What is Web Ministry?" and "Welcoming Ministry 100." Costs vary. Connectional Giving is free. Details.
Free webinar "Finding Treasure: The Story of our Newest Stewardship Resource," Thursday, July 10 - 6:30 p.m. CT. Jacob Armstrong, pastor and church planter, will share how he helped his congregation discover "where our treasure goes, our hearts will follow." Details.
Deadline to register for Boards of Ordained Ministry Mid-Quadrennial Training, Friday, July 11 - Event for board officers and cabinet representatives will be Tuesday, Aug. 12 and ends by noon on Friday, Aug. 15 in Denver. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is sponsoring. Details.
SOULfeast, Sunday-Thursday, July 13-17 - Gathering sponsored by Upper Room Ministries of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. The theme is "Living Psalms." Details.
Deadline to register for School of Congregational Development 2014, Tuesday, July 15 - Gathering Thursday-Sunday, Aug.14-17 sponsored by the United Methodist boards of Discipleship and Global Ministries at Matthews United Methodist Church, Matthews, 801 S. Trade St., Matthews, N.C. $425. Details.
Free webinar "What's the Job of Conference and District Lay Leaders?" Wednesday, July 16 - 6:30 p.m. CT. Jodi Cataldo of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship will facilitate a conversation on these ministries. Details.
Free webinar "Creating a Culture of Innovation Part 1: Can My Leaders Innovate?" Thursday, July 17 - 6:30 p.m. CT. This 90-minute session led by Craig Kennet Miller of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship will introduce tools for implementing new ministry strategies in local churches. Details.
Aldersgate 2014 Conference, Thursday to Sunday, July 17-20 - The national conference of Aldersgate Renewal Ministries will be at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Ill. The theme is freedom. Details.
Free webinar "Congregations as Discipling Communities" Tuesday, July 22 - 6:30 p.m. CT. This webinar will focus on a model where congregations can create safe, open and relational spaces where disciples at all stages of their faith journey can share their experiences. Details.
Introduction to United Methodist Board of Church and Society seminar program, Wednesday-Friday, July 23-25 - Youth group and young adult leaders are invited to attend a three-day "In Focus" familiarization event about United Methodist Seminars on National and International Affairs. The program will introduce the seminars and will explain how to organize and lead a group for these tailored study experiences in the U.S. capital. Details.
Korea Peace March and Vigil, Friday-Saturday, July 25-26 - The event in Washington sponsored in part by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society will include an ecumenical roundtable and focus on how to establish lasting peace and eventual reunification on the Korean Peninsula. Details.
Festival of Wisdom and Grace, Monday to Thursday, July 28-31 - Columbia (S.C.) Area Bishop Jonathan Holston will be the conference preacher at this time of worship and learning at Lake Junaluska (N.C) Conference and Retreat Center. The theme is "Living Ordinary Time with EEEEs - Enthusiasm, Encouragement, Engagement and Empowerment." Details.
Deadline to register for United Methodist conference "Walking with Palestinian Christians," Wednesday, July 30 - Gathering Thursday-Friday, Aug. 7-8 sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and host Ginghamsburg Church, 6759 S. County Road 25A, Tipp City, Ohio. Details.
Deadline for early-bird registration for "Make Worship More Creative" workshops in the Upper New York Conference, Friday, Aug. 1 - Day-long workshops featuring worship coach Jason Moore will be Monday, Sept. 8 through Thursday, Sept. 11 at different churches around the conference. Costs $25 per person, and $65 per church. Details.
Lion & Lamb Christian Festival, Friday-Sunday, Aug. 8-10 - A number of United Methodist entities, including the Indiana Annual (regional) Conference, are sponsors of this gathering at Fort Wayne, Indiana. $25. Details.
Shreveport, Louisiana, Skeeter Run, Saturday, Aug. 9 - The first of six 5K and one-mile run/walks in the Louisiana Annual (regional) Conference to support Imagine No Malaria, the denomination's initiative to eradicate preventable deaths from the disease. The other five runs will take place across the state on Saturday, Oct. 11. $20 registration. Details.
Deadline to apply to join regional Healthy Families, Healthy Planet advocacy training, Friday, Aug. 15 - The free United Methodist training in advocating for women and girls will be Saturday, Sept. 6 with an optional session on Monday, Sept. 8 in Peoria, Illinois. Applications are required. Details and application.
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