UMNS Daily Digest - April 1, 2011 (Côte d’Ivoire, March Madness, lesbian pastor, Japan earthquake, 2

From "United Methodist News Service" <newsdesk@umcom.org>
Date Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:22:30 -0700

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       UMNS Daily Digest - Produced by United Methodist News Service
                           Friday, April 1, 2011
                  [5]Ivorian church leaders give prayer, aid
                         [6]March Madness melancholy
                      [7]Trial of lesbian elder delayed
                [8]April 4 online chat features Tokyo chaplain
              [9]General Conference petition submissions welcome

   [10]
   Lenten Resources»






   [11]
   Walking in Faith: Côte d’Ivoire»






   [12]
   UMTV: Rasmus’ Church Growth Tips»






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   UMTV: First-time Volunteer at 91»





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 “God is wonderful. But many, many people have died.” — Bishop Benjamin Boni
                             of Côte d’Ivoire.

Ivorian church leaders give prayer, aid

   ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — As fighting intensified in Côte d’Ivoire’s
   largest city, the United Methodist bishop and other religious leaders met
   and agreed to continue working together for peace.


   [18]Read story and post a comment»



March Madness melancholy

   MIAMI (UMNS) — During this period of “March Madness,” culminating as the
   Final Four play this weekend, the Rev. Cynthia Weems, senior pastor of First
   United Methodist Church in Miami, is reminded that even our sports heroes
   can disappoint us. Luckily, God doesn’t.

   [19]Read blog»



Trial of lesbian elder delayed

   SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (UMNS) — The trial of the Rev. Amy Delong, a lesbian
   clergywoman in Wisconsin, scheduled for April 11 at First United Methodist
   Church in Appleton, has been postponed. The original presiding officer,
   retired Bishop Bruce Blake, has recused himself for personal reasons, and
   Wisconsin Area Bishop Linda Lee is in the process of selecting his
   replacement. A new date for the trial has not been set.
   DeLong, a clergy member for 14 years who currently serves as director of an
   advocacy group, triggered the case in 2009 when she agreed to officiate at a
   union of a lesbian couple. That same year, she registered with her partner
   of nearly 16 years under Wisconsin’s Domestic Partnership Conference. She
   reported both actions to the Wisconsin Annual (regional) Conference.

   The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, states that
   “self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates,
   ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist
   Church.” It is also a chargeable offense for United Methodist clergy to
   perform ceremonies celebrating same-sex unions.



April 4 online chat features Tokyo chaplain

   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Paul Tsuchido Shew, chaplain and
   associate professor at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, will be featured
   in an April 4 online video discussion about the Japan earthquake aftermath
   and the church’s response. [20]Anyone can join the conversation by clicking
   here and logging in as “guest.” 

   The online discussion, at 4 p.m. Central Time, is part of United Methodist
   Communications’ Rethinkchurch.org website, which is using FaithLink
   curriculum for a special online study during Lent. [21]This video
   conversation will be recorded and available for download beginning April
   8. Churches are encouraged to share the video with their congregations to
   join in prayer and relief efforts.


General Conference petition submissions welcome

   ROCKVILLE, Ky. (UMNS) — From April 1 to Sept. 27, United Methodists can
   submit petitions for consideration by the 2012 General Conference, the
   denomination’s top legislative body. According to church law, “Any
   organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church
   may petition the General Conference … .”

   Detailed instructions for submitting a petition are available on
   the [22]General Conference website. Petitions must be typed and may be
   submitted via email to [23]petitions@umpublishing.org, through the website,
   by mail or by fax. The deadline for petitions submitted only by regular mail
   or fax is July 1, to allow time for transcription and translation. Petitions
   should indicate whether they have general church budget considerations.

   The mailing addresses for petitions (hard copy accompanied, if possible, by
   digital version on diskette, CD or USB drive) are: Gary Graves, Petitions
   Secretary, United Methodist General Conference, P.O. Box 140, Rockfield, KY
   42274, or, for delivery purposes, to 2511 Richpond - Rockfield Road, Bowling
   Green, KY 42101.

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