UMNS Daily Digest - January 31, 2011 (poverty, sexual abuse, episcopal areas, Egypt, Lent)
From "United Methodist News Service" <newsdesk@umcom.org>Date Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:45:48 -0800
To ensure consistent delivery, please add [1]newsdesk@umcom.org to your contact and/or safe senders list. [2]View Online | [3]Add to Address Book | [4]Subscribe UMNS Daily Digest - Produced by United Methodist News Service Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 [5]Church urged to keep focus on poverty [6]Stopping church sexual abuse takes training [7]Western Jurisdiction to realign episcopal areas [8]Respect freedom of expression in Egypt, says WACC [9]Society of St. Andrew offers Lenten devotional [10]UMTV: Church Home for Homeless» [11]UMTV: Kalamazoo Rethinks Christmas» [12]UMTV: Malaria Ravages Congo Poor» [13]Read Additional UMNS Stories» [14] Find us on Facebook [15] Twitter Contact Us [16]E-mail (615) 742-5470 "There are risks if we don't do anything. There are risks if we do. We've decided it's worth protecting our most vulnerable people in our churches." - The Rev. Gary Beach, Kansas East Conference. Church urged to keep focus on poverty NEW YORK (UMNS) - In a meeting with denominational leaders, an international aid specialist urged United Methodists not to slack off or give in to the "sin of despair" in the church's ongoing work to conquer poverty. Mary Roodkowsky, an executive with UNICEF, said that religious communities are essential in making the links among people on the different sides of economic divides, to make clear the "shared humanity" and to get everyone engaged in responding to needs. [17]Read full story» Stopping church sexual abuse takes training HOUSTON (UMNS) - It is the kind of news every United Methodist dreads: two church leaders, a pastor and a district superintendent, arrested and convicted of child molestation. But since those arrests about 20 years ago, the [18]Kansas East Annual (regional) Conference has become a model for providing churchgoers a safe sanctuary from abuse, participants at a Jan. 26-29 gathering on sexual ethics learned. [19]Read full story and post a comment» Western Jurisdiction to realign episcopal areas SAN FRANCISCO (UMNS) - The Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church plans to realign episcopal areas in 2012. The plan calls for the current Portland and Seattle areas - covering the Oregon-Idaho and the Pacific Northwest Annual (regional) Conferences and the Alaska Conference - to become one episcopal area. A transition team is being formed to consider details of the realignment. The Western Jurisdiction covers 11 western U.S. states, Guam and Saipan. Respect freedom of expression in Egypt, says WACC TORONTO (UMNS) - As political protests continue to escalate in Egypt, the World Association for Christian Communication is calling on Egyptian authorities to respect freedom of expression and allow its citizens full access to all means of communication, particularly internet and social media. WACC is also condemning violence against journalists covering the demonstrations. The Rev. Karin Achtelstetter, the organization's top executive, underscored communication as fundamental in conflict resolution and emphasized that lack of communication can fuel tense situation. Society of St. Andrew offers Lenten devotional BIG ISLAND, Va. (UMNS) - The Society of St. Andrew is offering a daily devotional booklet, "We've a Story to Tell," for Lent. The devotions were contributed by a variety of writers from different denominations who share how their personal walk with Jesus impacts their lives. The Lenten materials are free, but participants are asked to consider giving sacrificially. A donation of $1 a day during the season of Lent - $47 - would enable the Society of St. Andrew to salvage more than 2,000 servings of fresh produce. Last year's Lenten Devotions program was responsible for providing more than 2 million servings of food to families in need in the United States. 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