Daily Digest - January 28, 2021

“I think it’s kind of in our blood. I don’t know if it’s in the water and the crawfish, but that is who we are. We are fighters and we will kind of band together and work.” The Rev. Karli Pidgeon, Lake Charles District superintendent, Louisiana Conference, on how United Methodists respond to disasters.


NEWS AND FEATURES

United Methodist Communications
Disasters bring people together

ATLANTA — Disaster victims and relief workers showed resilience in 2020 as church buildings and members were knocked around by wildfires, derechos, hurricanes and tornadoes. Roland Fernandes, top executive of United Methodist Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief, said the struggles helped bring people together. Jim Patterson reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Take-out ministry connects seniors

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. — Wesley United Methodist Church’s Temple Take-Out Ministry, established in 2016, is keeping seniors 65 and older both fed and connected in this time of pandemic. The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate has the story. 
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United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries
Leaders of camping ministries honored

PORTLAND, Ore. — The United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries Association recognized two retired camp leaders with its Legacy of Leadership Award. The Rev. Lisa Jean Hoefner and Chuck Kishpaugh were honored for longtime service and innovative leadership. The association produced a video to recognize the pair, and Kristen Caldwell wrote a profile of Hoefner.
Watch video
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The Lawton Constitution
Senior draws pets to fill blessing boxes

ALTUS, Okla. — Larry Davis, a member of Altus First United Methodist Church, wanted to help his church fill four blessing boxes as COVID-19 increased need. So, the 80-year-old turned his hobby into a way to raise funds and delight pet owners. The Lawton Constitution has the story.
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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 is Florida. 
Read reports


PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Publishing House
More job cuts at Publishing House

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Publishing House continues to see sharply reducing sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting another 32 layoffs. After the current reduction, the agency will have 161 staff, down from about 300 at the beginning of 2020. The self-supporting agency has taken other cost-cutting measures while also responding to churches’ online curriculum needs, including offering new Lenten and vacation Bible school products. The Publishing House’s Nashville, Tennessee, headquarters remains up for sale.
Read press release
Publishing House among pandemic victims

 
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EVENTS

Monday, Feb. 1

United Methodist Global AIDS Committee webinar: Racial Disparities, HIV & AIDS

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