Friday Digest | Oct 11, 2024 |
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“From a dollar to this sanctuary. It only needs spiritual eyes to realize that God can bless small gifts and multiply them. The legacy, which has been started by Rev. Dzobo, should not end here, but grow from generation to generation.” — The Rev. Alan Masimba Gurupira, administrative assistant to Zimbabwe Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa. |
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Amy Carmon, a member of Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Bean Station, Tenn., gets emotional during the dedication ceremony for Dzobo United Methodist Church in rural Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.
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| Like a mustard seed, tiny gift grows into new sanctuary |  | MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — After a Tennessee United Methodist gave the Rev. Samuel Dzobo one dollar to help build a sanctuary in Zimbabwe, “miraculous things” unfolded. Dzobo United Methodist Church was dedicated in August, thanks to generous gifts of money and labor. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. | | | | |
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| Global Ministries
UMCOR in early stages of Milton recovery | | ATLANTA — In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Milton striking Florida Oct. 9, the United Methodist Committee on Relief reports that local Early Response Teams are gathering assessment information and touching base with their volunteer network but are staying out of the way of first responders while search-and-rescue missions are ongoing. The relief agency is also awaiting initial requests for solidarity grants, which address basic humanitarian needs in the early stages of disaster response. | | | | |
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U.S. soldiers from the Florida and South Carolina National Guard search for residents in need of assistance near Stuart, Fla., on Oct. 10. Areas of the city were decimated by tornadoes spawned by Hurricane Milton as the storm progressed across the state. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Chelsea Smith, U.S. Air National Guard.
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| Florida Conference
Bishop calls for prayer following Milton | | LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin, along with all the other members of the Cabinet, has been calling pastors, staff and lay leaders to check on them, ask about their families, find out about the impact on their local churches and inquire about the needs within their communities after Hurricane Milton. “I was struck by the deep resilience of the people of Florida,” he wrote in a letter to the conference. “I am grateful for your leadership in countless ways. We all need to be resilient in the days ahead. We will need to call on the best parts of our connectional system.”
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| Western North Carolina Conference
Pausing material donations after Helene | | HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — While expressing deep gratitude for the caring response to Helene, the Western North Carolina Conference is asking for a pause in material donations since its distribution centers are full. Financial contributions are still welcome.
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| Holston Conference
6 things not to do after a hurricane | | ALCOA, Tenn. — People want to help after a natural disaster, but some efforts and donations can actually be extremely unhelpful, adding to the burdens of already stressed people. Annette Spence shares six things people should not do in responding to recent hurricanes. Those “don’ts” include: Don’t donate what has not been requested and don’t spread rumors.
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| Dakotas Conference
Pastoring means teaching for elder | | BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Rev. Teri Johnson has a unique ministry. She has an extension ministry teaching at South Dakota State University. In addition to her duties teaching about religion, she has conducted funerals and baptisms for students. “In their papers, students will talk about faith issues with me,” Johnson said. “If they bring it up, I talk to them about it. I feel like it’s a daily ministry with just a specific group of people.” Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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| Upper New York Conference
Church assembles dozens of beds for children | | CAMILLUS, N.Y. — On Sept. 14, the Immanuel United Methodist Church parking lot transformed into a hive of energy and purpose as volunteers came together with one mission: to give children the comfort and security of their own beds. The church partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children who need them. The goal was 40, but church and community volunteers surpassed that, building 62 beds. The Upper New York Conference produced a video from the event.
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| United Women in Faith
Middle East violence protested by UWF | | NEW YORK — The ongoing violence in the Middle East is unacceptable and in danger of spreading, said United Women in Faith in a statement. “In highlighting the horrific humanitarian crisis and the devastation visited on the people of Gaza, the organization urged an immediate and permanent ceasefire, abidance of international norms and protection of human life,” said the statement. “We condemn anti-Palestinian, anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric that has led to a rise in hate crimes targeting Palestinian, Jewish and Muslim communities in the United States and globally.”
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| Foundation for Evangelism
Webinar rescheduled on local church grants | | LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — Because of Helene, the Foundation for Evangelism has rescheduled its webinar with Equipping the Local Church grant recipients discussing how resources helped them share the Gospel. The webinar is now set for 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Oct. 24.
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| | | | Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, you can add it to the calendar by clicking here. |
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Monday, Oct. 21-Friday, Dec. 13 | | |
| Monday, Oct. 28-Friday, Nov. 8
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Church exits influence clergy age trends | WASHINGTON (UM News) — In its latest study of United Methodist clergy ages, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership discusses the impact of U.S. disaffiliations. The center estimates that church departures have contributed to reductions among both older and younger elders. Heather Hahn reports.
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Addicts blossom into 'doves' at recovery house | INDIANAPOLIS (UM News) — Addictions, violence and prison once dominated Haleign Baker’s life. On this day, safe and relaxed in an easy chair at Dove Recovery House for Women, she seems the picture of serenity. The Dove House, a community of 50 or so women fighting addictions, cultivates a joyful atmosphere. Jim Patterson reports. | | |
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South Carolina Conference
S.C. churchgoers ramp up Helene response
| COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina continues to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene ravaged the region Sept. 26-27, flooding communities, uprooting trees, destroying roads and bridges, sweeping away homes and ultimately claiming more than 230 lives, including 48 in the state. In the aftermath of the disaster, United Methodist churches and individuals have been working hard to help others. Jessica Brodie offers ways area churches can help as well as resources for those who need help. | | |
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Northern Illinois Conference
Settlement resolves Naperville case
| NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The United Methodist Church’s Northern Illinois Conference has signed a settlement with a faction that broke away from the former Naperville Korean United Methodist Church, amicably resolving a disagreement over the rightful ownership of the church building and other assets. The settlement, signed in August, follows a 15-month dispute over the denomination’s trust clause. A March court ruling restored the property to the denomination. Victoria Rebeck has the story. | |
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