Daily Digest - November 18, 2019

“I am thankful the body was willing to put the trust in the people who are here. I am hopeful they can go beyond the baggage of institutional hierarchy and bureaucracy to dream something.”The Rev. Joe Kim, a member of the visioning team selected at the Fresh United Methodism Summit.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Gathering dreams of an inclusive future

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif. (UM News) — Members of the Fresh United Methodism Summit worked through hundreds of ideas in their efforts to dream of a new form of Methodism for the Western Jurisdiction that is inclusive of LGBTQ church leaders and same-sex unions. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Ebola takes toll on United Methodists 

BENI, Congo (UM News) — While Ebola cases have decreased in eastern Congo in recent weeks, United Methodists are still feeling the pain inflicted by the epidemic. For some survivors, reintegrating into the community has been hard. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
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Texas Conference
Christmas parade sparked ecumenical bonanza

ATHENS, Texas — The Rev. Jason Smith of First United Methodist Church bonded with a Baptist pastor and a Catholic priest during preparation for Athens’ annual Christmas parade. That led to a remarkable ecumenical relationship that included their church members traveling to the Holy Land together and collaborating in relief work. Lindsay Peyton reports.
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Global Ministries
UMCOR helps Philippine village plan for its needs

ATLANTA — Tamac village has struggled for several years with typhoons and the need to relocate. Early in 2019, the Baguio Episcopal Area Disaster Management Office, a partnership between The United Methodist Church in the Philippines and the United Methodist Committee on Relief, received an UMCOR grant to conduct community-based contingency planning with Tamac community leaders, health workers and Tamac residents. Christie R. House has the story.
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RESOURCES
 
Higher Education and Ministry, UMC Giving
United Methodist Student Day boosts scholarships

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Did you know the United Methodist scholarship and loan programs award United Methodist students an average of $5.5 million each year? United Methodist Student Day, a Special Sunday that is Nov. 24 this year, helps make such financial aid a reality. 
Resources for United Methodist Student Day
Learn about United Methodist loans and scholarships


RECENT HEADLINES

Help sought to save historic church, cemeteries


United Methodists decry ‘red-tagging’ of church council


EVENTS

Thursday, Nov. 21 

World Methodist Council honors the Rev. James T. Laney

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