Daily Digest - December 2, 2014

“Tears are our most appropriate response." — The Rev. Michael Dent, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, about the 150th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre.

United Methodists gather to remember Sand Creek

EADS, Colo. (UMNS) — The 150th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre is “not a celebration; it is a commemoration,” the Rev. Michael Dent, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, said during the Prayerful Preparation gathering held Nov. 29 at Eads United Methodist Church. Charmaine Robledo, Mountain Sky Area director of communications, has the story.

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Read UMNS story on 150th anniversary events

Doctor who died of Ebola hailed as hero

LANDOVER HILLS, Md. (UMNS) — Dr. Martin Salia was remembered Nov. 29 as a tireless, selfless and heroic advocate for medical care for the less fortunate. Salia, chief medical officer and surgeon at United Methodist Kissy Hospital in Sierra Leone, died of Ebola on Nov. 17 after being flown to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, in the advanced stages of the deadly virus. Ben Nuckols reports for The Associated Press.

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Read UMNS story on Salia

Bishop: On race and hope

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (UMNS) — “Racism is not a figment of the imagination of African Americans and other peoples of color. Racism is a societal cancer,” writes Iowa Area Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble. But, as protests continue over the police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, Trimble finds reasons to be hopeful that racism can be overcome.

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Happy #GivingTuesday today

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — On this third #GivingTuesday, various United Methodist ministries are encouraging making it a time to extend the spirit of thanksgiving into Advent. The Rev. Kathy Noble, editor of Interpreter Magazine, shares what various agencies have planned.

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Weatherman pastor: ‘I prayed really hard’

BANGOR, Maine (UMNS) — For two decades, Steve McKay has been telling TV audiences his best guesses about the impending weather, but he's also a United Methodist pastor who tries to help folks see the future on their spiritual journeys. Both jobs seem to require similar skills, reports Reed Galin for UMTV.

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Brewer to join Higher Education and Ministry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Scott Brewer is joining the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in an executive position for administration and operations, effective Jan. 5. Brewer has served at the United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration for the past 12 years.

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Tattoo ministry: Expression of Christian commitment

OCALA, Fla. (UMNS) — A tattoo parlor is hardly the likeliest place that Christians would be found on a Saturday morning studying the Bible. But nearly 40 members of Wildwood United Methodist Church met at Fat Kats Artistry and about a dozen members, including the Rev. Michael Beck, got the United Methodist cross and flame inked onto forearms, hands and, in at least one case, a foot. Kathy Steele has the story for the Florida Conference.

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History of Hymns: ‘Woman in the Night’

DALLAS (UMNS) — “Woman in the Night,” by Brian Arthur Wren, traces the life of Christ — birth through resurrection — from the perspective of women he encountered. C. Michael Hawn shares this hymn’s story in his weekly column for Discipleship Ministries.

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Correction:

An article on bishop pay raises incorrectly said that bishops receive housing allowances. Conferences receive funds to support episcopal housing. Read corrected story

Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.

Sunday-Wednesday, Dec. 7-10
“Road To Bethlehem” — Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, will hold this Advent Bible study retreat, which includes worship services that celebrate Jesus’ birth through a variety of cultural traditions. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.


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