Daily Digest - November 12 2020

“United Methodists are still on the roof waiting for rescue.”The Rev. Fely Dela Cruz, Rizal Philippines East Conference, after Typhoon Vamco hit the Philippines.


NEWS AND FEATURES

United Methodists devastated by trio of typhoons

MANILA, Philippines (UM News) — Filipino United Methodists are picking up the pieces after three strong typhoons pummeled the Philippines in less than three weeks. Many families are homeless and a mission chapel collapsed. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read story

Florida Conference
Florida churches come together for justice

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. — The problems of poverty and injustice in communities across Florida didn’t emerge overnight and don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. Joe Henderson writes about how predominantly Black and white churches in Manatee County have come together as one to begin addressing these issues. 
Read story

Greater New Jersey Conference
The value of connection from New Jersey to Africa

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — At Wesley United Methodist Church, the connection that binds the denomination stretches all the way to Nyagidha, Kenya. What began in 2007 as a project to provide water tanks for the small African village led to the creation of a child care and education center that teaches over 300 children. A fundraising campaign this year collected over $7,000 to replace the building’s failing corrugated iron structure with a sturdy brick building. Heather Mistretta reports. 
Read story

New 2020 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2020 annual conference reports. New this week are Eastern Pennsylvania and New Mexico. 
Read reports


PRESS RELEASES

US Department of Justice
Co-defendant in Caldwell case sentenced

SHREVEPORT, La. — Gregory Alan Smith, co-defendant of former United Methodist pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Smith and Caldwell pleaded guilty in what prosecutors described as a multimillion dollar investment scheme. Caldwell led Houston’s Windsor Village United Methodist Church to become the denomination’s largest church in membership. His sentencing is set for Dec. 3.
Read press release
Read UM News coverage of Caldwell’s plea


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.

North Texas Conference
From foster care to adoption

HOWE, Texas — November is National Adoption Month, and the Rev. Zack Landis, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Howe, and his wife, Laura, write about the peaks and valleys of becoming a foster-to-adopt family.
Read commentary
 

RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications 
How do you serve?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications tailors its services to support people in a variety of roles in their congregations. These resources include training, grants and free materials. In order to better serve congregations, the agency is asking that church leaders and volunteers update their job roles online. The information will not be shared or sold to any third party. In return, the agency will provide a complimentary registration for the Digital Media for Ministry online training course. 
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RECENT HEADLINES
 
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EVENTS 

Monday, Nov. 30-Thursday, Dec. 3

Called Seminar on Zoom: “Towards Educational Equity — Investing in the Beloved Community”






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