“I get choked up thinking about it.” — The Rev. Ron Welborn, on the welcome his United Methodist group has received from La Trinidad United Methodist Church.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Room at the inn, courtesy of Hispanic church
SEGUIN, Texas (UM News) — Usually, it’s a fledgling Hispanic church that’s scrounging for meeting space and an established, predominantly Anglo church providing it. But for the past few months, Seguin’s La Trinidad United Methodist Church has given over its fellowship hall to a new group that chose to stay United Methodist after its church disaffiliated. Sam Hodges reports.
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Upper New York Conference
Quilting for a cause
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Fairview United Methodist Church's Ugly Quilts group gathers every Monday to create intricate blankets and sleeping rolls for those in need. Through the art of quilting, they weave a sacred connection to a higher purpose, exemplifying divine love and grace in devoted service to their community. Upper New York Conference staff have a video profile of this ministry.
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New Mexico Conference
Youth organize Pan‘Tree’
CLINT, Texas — Members of Bond Memorial United Methodist Church’s youth group were looking for ways to show God’s love to their community. The result is a youth Pan“tree” that offers non-perishable food and basic hygiene and household items to those in need. The ministry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alli Newsom and the Rev. Jacqui Lax have the story.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Church advocates learn how to influence policy
FULTON, Md. — The Baltimore-Washington Conference Legislative Team was formed two years ago to move from education on justice concerns to taking an active part in legislative issues. At a Nov. 18 training event, advocates from the conference met with local leaders to discuss the 2024 legislative session and how United Methodists can make a difference in preventing gun violence and providing health care for all. Melissa Lauber reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Retired Bishop Toquero dies at 81
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has announced the death of Bishop Solito K. Toquero, who served the Manila Episcopal Area in the Philippines from 2001 to 2008. Toquero died Dec. 1 at age 81. UM News is working on a feature obituary.
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Global Ministries
An invitation to leave ‘peace’ candle unlit
ATLANTA — The second candle on the Advent wreath represents peace, and in some traditions is known as the “Bethlehem candle.” This Advent, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is joining with the World Methodist Council and the Methodist Church in Britain in inviting Methodist churches across the world to refrain from lighting the Advent candle on the second Sunday in Advent (Dec. 10) and on subsequent Sundays to “serve as a constant reminder that we stand in solidarity with all who are suffering in the Holy Land.”
Read press release
UM News: Bishops call for peacemaking in Holy Land
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Ideas for creation care at Christmas
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists are called to be good stewards of the planet and its natural resources. At the same time, Americans typically produce 25% more waste during December. United Methodist Communications has put together a video that features simple ideas for how to create less waste during the hectic Advent and Christmas seasons.
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