“I came to this university shy and withdrawn, but I was pulled out of my shell and transformed into a warrior woman. I believe that if more young women are given the chance, they can reach far, and I am determined to see that happening.” — Claudine Migisha, a 2019 Africa University graduate.
NEWS AND FEATURES
526 Africa University graduates in 2019 class
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Claudine Migisha, a 2019 Africa University graduate, hopes to use her degree to help others understand the importance of education for women. The 526 students graduates from the United Methodist university come from 22 African countries.
Read story
Rural girls face challenges at city universities
BINDURA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Rural girls seeking education in cities in Zimbabwe are at risk if they take emotional or financial support from older men. The Rev. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo writes about how music and campus ministry can help.
Read story
Religion and Race, Huffington Post
Commission raises concerns about curriculum
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has raised concerns about the 2019 vacation Bible school curriculum by Group Publishing: “Roar! Life is Wild, God is Good.” Specifically, the agency says the curriculum, based on Exodus, diminishes the horror of slavery and includes harmful stereotypes of Africans. Group Publishing has issued a statement saying it has tried to address the concerns raised by the agency and others.
Read commission statement
Read Huffington Post story
World Methodist Council
‘Starting point’ for churches working with migrants
LONDON — Churches of the Methodist tradition, organized by the World Methodist Council, met recently to explore the relationship between church and migration and developed a set of principles offered to churches working with migrants and to new migrant congregations. “This is a living document, not a prescription,” the statement says. “We believe these principles are a starting point.”
Read statement
WCC: Churches “phenomenal” in helping refugees
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.
Achieving inclusion: Break barriers, build bridges
CARBONDALE, Ill. (UM News) — The story of Peter leaving his comfort zone and meeting Cornelius, a Gentile and an enemy, gives us insightful lessons in inclusion, writes the Rev. In-Sook Hwang. The Korean clergywoman says it's time to meet and accept people where they are, not where we think they ought to be.
Read commentary
Discipleship Ministries
Use Trinity Sunday to explore triune God
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — How will your church mark the Sunday after Pentecost? The Rev. Daniel T. Benedict, retired from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, urges congregations to embrace the tradition of Trinity Sunday and offer worship resources. “If worship and preaching are emptied of all trinitarian content and the deep mystery of the Trinity, personal faith will disintegrate into a unitarianism,” he writes.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Exiting congregations face hefty price tag
New communication center aids learning in Nigeria
EVENTS
Sunday, June 16
Peace with Justice Sunday
NEWS AND FEATURES
526 Africa University graduates in 2019 class
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Claudine Migisha, a 2019 Africa University graduate, hopes to use her degree to help others understand the importance of education for women. The 526 students graduates from the United Methodist university come from 22 African countries.
Read story
Rural girls face challenges at city universities
BINDURA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Rural girls seeking education in cities in Zimbabwe are at risk if they take emotional or financial support from older men. The Rev. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo writes about how music and campus ministry can help.
Read story
Religion and Race, Huffington Post
Commission raises concerns about curriculum
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has raised concerns about the 2019 vacation Bible school curriculum by Group Publishing: “Roar! Life is Wild, God is Good.” Specifically, the agency says the curriculum, based on Exodus, diminishes the horror of slavery and includes harmful stereotypes of Africans. Group Publishing has issued a statement saying it has tried to address the concerns raised by the agency and others.
Read commission statement
Read Huffington Post story
World Methodist Council
‘Starting point’ for churches working with migrants
LONDON — Churches of the Methodist tradition, organized by the World Methodist Council, met recently to explore the relationship between church and migration and developed a set of principles offered to churches working with migrants and to new migrant congregations. “This is a living document, not a prescription,” the statement says. “We believe these principles are a starting point.”
Read statement
WCC: Churches “phenomenal” in helping refugees
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.
Achieving inclusion: Break barriers, build bridges
CARBONDALE, Ill. (UM News) — The story of Peter leaving his comfort zone and meeting Cornelius, a Gentile and an enemy, gives us insightful lessons in inclusion, writes the Rev. In-Sook Hwang. The Korean clergywoman says it's time to meet and accept people where they are, not where we think they ought to be.
Read commentary
Discipleship Ministries
Use Trinity Sunday to explore triune God
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — How will your church mark the Sunday after Pentecost? The Rev. Daniel T. Benedict, retired from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, urges congregations to embrace the tradition of Trinity Sunday and offer worship resources. “If worship and preaching are emptied of all trinitarian content and the deep mystery of the Trinity, personal faith will disintegrate into a unitarianism,” he writes.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Exiting congregations face hefty price tag
New communication center aids learning in Nigeria
EVENTS
Sunday, June 16
Peace with Justice Sunday
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