Daily Digest - December 17, 2020

“It was like somebody turned the faucet off.”The Rev. Brian Milford, president and publisher of The United Methodist Publishing House, about the pandemic’s impact on the agency’s sales.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Publishing House among pandemic victims

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Publishing House has seen its sales dive in the COVID-19 pandemic, as churches unable to meet in person cut back on orders. The self-supporting agency had made big changes before the pandemic but has had to go further, laying off employees and putting its headquarters up for sale. Sam Hodges reports.
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Ask The UMC
How do United Methodists celebrate Epiphany?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Epiphany is the day Christians remember the coming of the Magi to visit Jesus, bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It occurs on Jan. 6 every year, the 13th day of the Christmas season. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on the ancient celebration. 
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Read more Ask The UMC

United Methodist Committee on Relief
Providing relief to a shattered Beirut

ATLANTA — The city of Beirut, Lebanon, is still trying to deal with a massive explosion Aug. 4 that shattered both its buildings and the lives of its citizens. To date, the United Methodist Committee on Relief has provided several grants to partners in the region to aid in the process of relief and long-term recovery. Stacy Jones has the story.
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Daily Memphian 
Plan to increase doctors in underserved areas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, the University of Memphis, Church Health Center and United Methodist-related Meharry Medical College in Nashville intend to create training and research for medical students of color that ultimately could increase the number of primary care physicians across Memphis and in underserved areas of the state. Jane Roberts reports.  
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WFAA-TV 
And then there was light

GREENVILLE, Texas — Wesley United Methodist Church felt its community could use a boost in a Christmas season that coincides with high COVID-19 numbers across Texas. The church had never been into flashy displays but this Christmas has one with more than 17,000 lights. Sean Giggy 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 Kentucky and Western North Carolina. 
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No Daily Digest Dec. 21-30
Friday, Dec. 18, will be the last UM News Daily Digest before Christmas. The digest will resume on Monday, Jan. 4. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 
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.

Creating a Culture of Renewal 
Finding a helpful reminder in Christmas lights

CASPER, Wyo. — The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter writes in praise of Christmas lights, which echo of the star of Bethlehem. “If the world ever needed these simple reminders of light, of family, of salvation, we need them now,” she writes. 
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EVENTS 

Sunday, Jan. 17 

Human Relations Day

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