“We Methodists in Mexico see the future with hope. … We believe the church still has a lot to give, still has a lot to teach, still has a lot to do so that the world will come to know God.” — Bishop Agustín Altamirano Ramos, Methodist Church of Mexico.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Celebrating 150 years of Methodism in Mexico
MEXICO CITY (UM News) — The Nov. 30-Dec. 3 anniversary conference offered a time for reflection and looking ahead at ways to navigate the challenges facing Methodists. United Methodist Bishops Sally Dyck and Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez attended the event. Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Bishop and church respond to Las Vegas shooting
LAS VEGAS — Desert Southwest Conference Bishop Carlo Rapanut shared prayers and resources for putting faith into action following the Dec. 6 shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, that killed three faculty members and injured a fourth. He also reported that University United Methodist Church near the campus continues to provide comfort and care to those who need it. Many students sheltered in place at the church. United Methodists in Las Vegas were also part of the initial response to the mass shooting in October 2017 when a gunman killed 60 people and injured more than 400.
Read statement
AP: Police say gunman had list of targets
Dakotas Conference
Church helping search effort
BISMARCK, N.D. — McCabe United Methodist Church is serving as a command post to help find one of its members who is missing. Lloyd Liken, 81, was last seen at the home of McCabe members at a small group gathering on Nov. 16. The volunteer search effort has included family members, residents across the region, the Badlands Search and Rescue Service and the Civil Air Patrol. Inside the fellowship hall, large maps indicate areas already searched and places yet to be searched. Lloyd is a longtime, beloved member of McCabe. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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Center for Scouting Ministries
Survey to shed light on child sexual violence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists who experienced childhood sexual violence are encouraged to fill out a confidential survey from Project Children Finland. That organization is seeking to develop and share a better understanding of the problem. “Stopping abuse requires a clear picture of abuse,” said Steven Scheid, director of the United Methodist Center for Scouting Ministries, in asking for participation in the survey. The survey is offered in different languages and is an international effort.
Read Scheid’s blog post
Take survey
Correction: The Rev. Natalie Justice, a pastor in the Holston Conference and breast cancer survivor, recently learned she has endometrial cancer. An item in the Dec. 7 UM News Daily Digest inadvertently misidentified her current cancer. She has launched a video series in which she discusses her own journey with cancer and talks with other cancer survivors.
Watch video series
PRESS RELEASES
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Conference offers update on church closure
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon-Idaho Conference leaders have released more details behind the decision to close Trinity United Methodist Church in Eugene under “exigent” circumstances. The conference statement offers a timeline of developments leading to the decision and seeks to refute harmful rumors.
Read statement
Archives and History
Simmons student gets $10,000 scholarship
MADISON, N.J. — Hannah Gershone, a graduate student at Simmons University, has been awarded the Josephine Forman Scholarship for her “commitment to both the archives profession and to addressing diversity concerns within it.” Gershone, who is working toward a Master of Library and Information Science degree, plans to pursue a career as an outreach archivist or digital curator, specializing in ethnic studies and critical environmental justice. The Commission on Archives and History and the Society of American Archivists sponsor the $10,000 scholarship.
Read press release
RESOURCES
New England Conference
Dreaming of a ‘green’ Christmas
METHUEN, Mass. — It’s estimated that Americans increase our waste stream 25% between Thanksgiving and Christmas and Christmas is the most wasteful of all our holidays. In her “Go Green, Save Money, Save the Earth” blog, Kim Hornung-Marcy offers tips on ways to be more faithful to creation care and still celebrate the wonder and joy of the season.
View resource
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 22-Friday, March 1
Online course: When Do I Get My Reward?
Monday, Jan. 29-Saturday, Feb. 10
Online course: Come to the Waters
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Clergy of color ‘have to keep on pushing’
ATLANTA (UM News) — Hard discussions about bias and race took place at the Facing the Future conference, held Nov. 14-16. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race organized the meeting of about 300 pastors engaged in cross-cultural ministries. Hope and hurt comingled at the event as attendees compared notes on how they were accepted and sometimes made to feel unwelcome. Jim Patterson reports.
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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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Bishop Toquero remembered as ‘champion of the poor’
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Friends and colleagues of Bishop Solito K. Toquero say he was a father figure and tireless advocate for the marginalized and disadvantaged members of society. Toquero, who served the Manila Area from 2001 to 2008, died Dec. 1 at age 81. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read obituary
Airport exhibit spotlights Indigenous heritage
ATLANTA (UM News) — Travelers who go through the Atlanta airport have an opportunity during the next year to enjoy artwork by Native American artists. The show, “This Land Calls Us Home: Indigenous Relationships with Southeastern Homelands,” features more than 60 pieces and is sponsored by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Jim Patterson reports.
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Read more about the artists’ work
Leaders reconnect, reflect on Hispanic/Latino ministry
PHOENIX (UM News) — Meeting for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic-Latino leaders gathered to discuss ministry and offer ways to pivot in this moment in the life of The United Methodist Church. The event — “Entre Nos” (“Among Us”) — was hosted by the National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry and brought together more than 130 participants from different parts of the country. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez reports.
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Exodus House celebrates 25 years of changing lives
OKLAHOMA CITY (UM News) — “Exodus House is where God turned my life around,” said Shane Vaughn, a 2003 graduate of the Oklahoma Conference ministry that was created to help people fresh out of prison start a new life. Vaughn was one of about 85 people who came out to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Exodus House. He was joined by lay and clergy people who had been supporting the ministry, but most of the day’s guests were former residents like him. Boyce Bowdon has the story.
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