“The church continues to wax stronger and stronger. God has been faithful.” — Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists in Nigeria mark 100 years of mission
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — Church members in Nigeria celebrated 100 years of Methodism in the country with a street rally, worship services and outreach, including free medical care in each of Nigeria’s four annual conferences. During the festivities, Bishop John Wesley Yohanna remembered the early missionaries and the sacrifices they made and also gave thanks for partners throughout the connection. Ezekiel Ibrahim has the story.
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Western Pennsylvania Conference
Churches join forces to provide Easter baskets
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Thanks to the connectional efforts of six United Methodist churches, 167 children received Easter baskets stuffed with books, toys, stuffed animals, candy, plastic eggs, money and more. Western Pennsylvania Conference staff have the story.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Celebrating clergywomen during Women’s History Month
NORRISTOWN, Pa. — “Women have been preaching the Gospel since Mary Magdalene proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection,” writes the Rev. Julia Singleton. For Women’s History Month, she interviewed several fellow clergywomen in the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences about various aspects and challenges of their ministries.
Read Part 1
Read Part 2
Upper New York Conference
‘Finally Friday’ events big draw for youth
COBLESKILL, N.Y. — Every other Friday during the school year, youth from around the community gather at Cobleskill United Methodist Church for a time of faith-driven discussion, games, fellowship and, of course, food. A video produced by the Upper New York Conference shares how this ministry has made a lasting impact.
Watch video
Clarification: Bishop Tracy Smith Malone is set to become the president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops next month. Malone, who leads the East Ohio Conference, was the first female bishop to be elected from the Northern Illinois Conference. An item in yesterday’s Digest may have been unclear about her election and home conference.
Read story
Watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Bishop calls for prayer after bridge tragedy
FULTON, Md. — Following overnight news that a cargo ship struck and collapsed a large section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore-Washington Conference Bishop LaTrelle Easterling issued a statement calling for prayer. Two survivors have been pulled from the water, but six others who may have also gone into the water remain unaccounted for as rescue efforts continue. “This is an unimaginable tragedy and we grieve with families who are awaiting news of their loved ones,” Easterling wrote.
Read statement
Read Associated Press story
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.
Ask The UMC
Three ways to avoid anti-Judaism during Holy Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For Jewish people, the Christian Holy Week has often been a time of persecution and violence. Christian liturgies and interpretations of Scripture have wrongly portrayed the Jewish people as villains responsible for Jesus’ death, writes Ask The UMC’s the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards. He suggests three actions United Methodists can take this Holy Week to reduce harm to our Jewish neighbors.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Monday, April 8-Monday, June 3
Online course: Journey Through the Psalms
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Bridges Not Walls: Communicating With Those Who Are Grieving
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