NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists devastated by trio of typhoons
MANILA, Philippines (UM News) — Filipino United Methodists are picking up the pieces after three strong typhoons pummeled the Philippines in less than three weeks. Many families are homeless and a mission chapel collapsed. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
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Council urges no new US bishops for 4 years
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Faced with a financial crunch and a potential denominational split, United Methodist bishops want to postpone electing any new bishops in the U.S. and slow down adding more bishops in Africa. Heather Hahn reports.
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Côte d'Ivoire church calls for post-election peace
ABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire (UM News) — More than a week after the presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire, The United Methodist Church works to ease tensions as uncertainty weighs on Ivorians. Protests and clashes have uprooted church leaders and threatened United Methodist churches and health facilities. Isaac Broune reports.
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Legal settlement means Glide leaves denomination
SAN FRANCISCO (UM News) — A battle for control of a landmark church in San Francisco has ended with a multimillion dollar settlement in which Glide Memorial leaves The United Methodist Church but retains its famed 330 Ellis St. building. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Diamond mining can rob children of education
KONO, Sierra Leone (UM News) — Diamond-rich Kono lures young people away from school in search of a chance to earn lots of money that will make their lives easier. Adama Borway, a young girl who believes in education, wants children to stay in school. She is studying to be a medical doctor. Kathy L. Gilbert and Phileas Jusu report.
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UMCOR assists flood survivors in Congo
UVIRA, Congo (UM News) — More than 500 families affected by severe flooding in April received much needed food and other assistance from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The aid comes as many are still homeless and suffering from malaria and malnutrition, said Simon Kombi Ramazani, director of connectional ministries for the church in East Congo. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports.
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Former bishop Hae-Jong Kim dies at 85
FORT LEE, N.J. (UM News) — Former United Methodist bishop Hae-Jong Kim, who served the New York West and Western Pennsylvania conferences between 1992 and his 2004 retirement, passed away Nov. 3 at the age of 85. Kim was considered a pioneer of Korean United Methodism with a zeal for church planting. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports.
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Church aids displaced Lumad families
ARAKAN, Philippines (UM News) — United Methodists evacuated their homes to avoid being caught in the crossfire between Filipino soldiers and insurgents. Of the 58 families displaced, 26 are members of Beho Omor United Methodist Church, a Lumad church. The Lumads are the largest indigenous group in the Philippines. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
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Florida Conference
Florida churches come together for justice
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — The problems of poverty and injustice in communities across Florida didn't emerge overnight and don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. Joe Henderson writes about how predominantly Black and white churches in Manatee County have come together as one to begin addressing these issues.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
The value of connection from New Jersey to Africa
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — At Wesley United Methodist Church, the connection that binds the denomination stretches all the way to Nyagidha, Kenya. What began in 2007 as a project to provide water tanks for the small African village led to the creation of a child care and education center that teaches over 300 children. A fundraising campaign this year collected over $7,000 to replace the building's failing corrugated iron structure with a sturdy brick building. Heather Mistretta reports.
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New 2020 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2020 annual conference reports. New this week are Eastern Pennsylvania and New Mexico.
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Holston Conference
Pastor's fever leads to bright idea
SALTVILLE, Va. — The Rev. Lisa Bryant woke up one morning with a head cold and a fever. She quickly got a COVID-19 test and quarantined herself. While waiting for the test results, she came up with a new idea for online worship at Madam Russell United Methodist Church. Annette Spence has the story.
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Global Ministries, UMCOR
Sifting through the ashes after wildfires rage
ATLANTA — After three major wildfires engulfed the Plumas National Forest area, Sonja Edd-Bennett, director of disaster response ministry for the California-Nevada Conference, said her biggest concern is for people who live off the grid. The California-Nevada, Pacific-Northwest and Oregon-Idaho conferences have received multiple grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to support wildfire responses in 2020. Christie R. House has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
US Department of Justice
Co-defendant in Caldwell case sentenced
SHREVEPORT, La. — Gregory Alan Smith, co-defendant of former United Methodist pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Smith and Caldwell pleaded guilty in what prosecutors described as a multimillion-dollar investment scheme. Caldwell led Houston's Windsor Village United Methodist Church to become the denomination's largest church in membership. His sentencing is set for Dec. 3.
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Read UM News coverage of Caldwell's plea
Archives and History
Scholar to head Archives and History
MADISON, N.J. — The new top executive at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History will be scholar and author Ashley Boggan Dreff. She succeeds the Rev. Alfred "Fred" T. Day III, who is retiring at the end of the year. A professor at United Methodist-related High Point University, she is the author of two books on United Methodist history and issues.
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Global AIDS Committee
Plans for World AIDS Day service
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Global AIDS Committee plans to hold an online special service to commemorate World AIDS Day at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Dec. 1. The worship service can be viewed on the UMC Global AIDS Facebook page and the denomination’s website.
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Watch service on Facebook
Watch on website
The Upper Room
New leader for The Upper Room
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Kimberly C. Orr is the new top executive of The Upper Room, replacing the Rev. Stephen Bryant, who is retiring. The Upper Room publishes resources to help believers move to a deeper level of faith and service.
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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.
North Texas Conference
From foster care to adoption
HOWE, Texas — November is National Adoption Month, and the Rev. Zack Landis, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Howe, and his wife, Laura, write about the peaks and valleys of becoming a foster-to-adopt family.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Advent resources available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Local churches can order customizable banners, signs, invitation cards and postcards for Advent from United Methodist Communications. The resources are available in a variety of designs and languages.
Get resources
United Methodist Communications
How do you serve?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications tailors its services to support people in a variety of roles in their congregations. These resources include training, grants and free materials. In order to better serve congregations, the agency is asking that church leaders and volunteers update their job roles online. The information will not be shared or sold to any third party. In return, the agency will provide a complimentary registration for the Digital Media for Ministry online training course.
Update your role
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