“He was very caring, very compassionate. He felt that being a pastor was the most important part of being an episcopal leader.” — The Rev. Carol Davies on Bishop Calvin D. McConnell.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
McConnell’s legacy one of ‘joyful ministry’
PORTLAND, Ore. (UM News) — Bishop Calvin D. McConnell stressed the spiritual disciplines, advocated for social justice and relished the pastoral part of episcopal leadership. Western Jurisdiction colleagues praised his “joyful ministry with others” and “whole-hearted belief that God’s love is made for everyone.” McConnell died Nov. 28 at age 94. Sam Hodges reports.
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Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Church opens housing for young adults
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Connection United Methodist Church has officially opened a recently renovated wing of the church to house Nashville’s first mobile housing shelter specifically for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. Connection is now the fourth church in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference to host a mobile housing unit, joining City Road Chapel, Bellevue and McKendree. Tyler Sprouse has the story.
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Ask The UMC
What do the candles in the Advent wreath mean?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This Sunday, many United Methodist churches will light the first candle of the Advent wreath. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explains why Christians do this and what it means. The above Advent meme is available to download and share on social media.
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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 UM News staff.
It’s time to revisit church teachings on HIV/AIDS
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (UM News) — The entries on HIV and AIDS in the Book of Resolutions have not been updated since 2016, leaving the church silent on key developments and needing to revisit its policies and programs, notes the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer. He says the time has come, writing, “In the words of the late congressman and civil rights activist Rep. John E. Lewis, ‘If not us, then who? If not now, then when?’”
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RESOURCES
Church and Society
Resources for World AIDS Day and beyond
WASHINGTON — Today is World AIDS Day. Although conditions are improving in the fight against AIDS — there has been a 59% drop in HIV infections since its peak in 1995 — The United Methodist Church recognizes that it continues as a public health threat and source of suffering. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society offers ways to help, including donating to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund and working to end the stigma that remains for those living with the disease.
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EVENTS
Monday, Dec. 4-Friday, Dec. 15
Closing Conversations: An End-of-Life Care Guide
Monday, Jan. 8-Friday, Feb. 2
Online course: Introduction to the Enneagram
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
United Methodist church opens in displaced camp
KANANGA, Congo (UM News) — The atmosphere was festive in the Nkonko camp for internally displaced people as hundreds crowded around a new United Methodist church built by a local missionary couple. Church leaders said the new church is a symbol of hope for thousands of Congolese families living in the camp who were expelled from Angola. Cédrick Okandjo has the story.
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Asia Upper Room partners prepare for the future
BANGKOK (UM News) — Methodists from across Asia came together in October for the third Asia Upper Room leadership seminar and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Thai Upper Room Edition. Presenters covered topics such as financial models, fundraising and accurate and culturally appropriate translation. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
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New leadership strengthens mission initiative
BANGUI, Central African Republic (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s mission initiative in the Central African Republic is gaining momentum with the ordination of a new elder and deacon. The latter is the first woman pastor in the church in this country. The mission initiative has more than 2,000 members in 17 parishes across the Central African Republic. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
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Zimbabwean, US partners unite to build new sanctuary
RUSAPE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A Zimbabwean community had struggled for years to raise resources to complete a new United Methodist sanctuary. A partnership between a South Carolina United Methodist church, Chitenderano Circuit and a group of former church members now living mostly in other countries helped finish the project. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Ask The UMC
Regionalization requires effective communication
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With regionalization legislation headed to General Conference, the Ask The UMC team is exploring the impact of regionalization on the worldwide church. In Part 3 of a new series, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards writes that effective communication is key to effective regionalization.
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