UMNS Daily Digest - July 27, 2011 (Rural churches, Board of Church and Society, Africa University)

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Date Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:45:09 -0700

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       UMNS Daily Digest - Produced by United Methodist News Service
                          Wednesday, July 27, 2011
                [5]Saving Bowbells: Churches keep hope alive
                    [6]Protect Medicare, faith groups say
              [7]African theological institutions join together


   [8]Rural Roots of Methodism»



   [9]U.S. Rural Church Realities»



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   "People in small towns have lost so much. They've lost the things that made
   them burgeoning communities. ... Their children in many cases have gone
   away. There's so much loss." - The Rev. Kathy Hammond, pastor of the United
   Methodist churches in Bowbells, Kenmare and Donnybrook, N.D.

Saving Bowbells: Churches keep hope alive

   BOWBELLS, N.D. (UMNS) -- Many rural church leaders fear the denomination has
   decided to forsake them in favor of larger churches in growing suburbs. A
   survey of more than 1,000 rural congregations reveals concerns that national
   agencies ignore smaller churches, that district superintendents often assign
   them their least experienced clergy and that their churches will be the
   first ones sacrificed in a time of declining resources. But to understand
   the rural church, vitality must be measured by more than numbers, rural
   church members say.

   [14]Read full story and post a comment»



Protect Medicare, faith groups say

   WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- [15]More than 50 faith organizations, including the
   United Methodist Board of Church and Society, are urging the Obama
   administration and Congress to protect Medicaid and Medicare in their budget
   negotiations. The statement from faith leaders representing millions of
   Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists emphasizes that the two
   programs provide critical health care for the most vulnerable in U.S.
   society.

   [16]Read statement»



African theological institutions join together

   MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) -- Bishops and educators are forming an association
   of African theological institutions in the hope of increasing cooperation
   among institutions and improving United Methodist theological education on
   the continent of Africa. Bishop David Yemba, resident bishop of the Central
   Congo Area and chancellor of Africa University, has written United Methodist
   bishops in Africa asking that they send a representative from their area
   theological institution to the university in September. Representatives from
   the institutions will meet at Africa University in Mutare during the College
   of African Bishops meeting.

   [17]Read full story»



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