Daily Digest - November 25, 2019

“Based on trends that have occurred over the last several years, we are annually averaging a decline of 2.0% overall for the jurisdictional membership.”Kevin Dunn, director of data services for the General Council on Finance and Administration.


NEWS AND FEATURES

US dips below majority of membership 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist leaders project that by now at least half of the denomination lives outside the United States. However, the General Council on Finance and Administration data for the U.S. isn’t solely a story of decline. Heather Hahn reports. 
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United Methodist writes first book at 104 
CHITUNGWIZA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — She is a mother of eight, a grandmother, human rights activist, teacher, preacher, pastor’s wife and the only surviving founding member of Rukwadzano RweWadzimai, the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area’s women’s organization. Now, 104-year-old Martha “Granny” Mudzengerere can add author to that list. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Arkansas Conference
Churches comfort homesick students

MAGNOLIA, Ark. — In 2017, in a span of about two weeks, two students at Southern Arkansas University committed suicide on campus. In response to the tragedy, the Rev. Dan Read, the pastor at Greers Chapel United Methodist Church, began a program to pair college students with local families. Sam Pierce has the story.
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East Ohio Conference
Thousands of meals packed by volunteers

NEWCOMERSTOWN, Ohio — Volunteers packed about 100,000 boxes of meals for people in developing countries for the event Project Feed. East Ohio Conference Young People’s Ministries sponsors the event with relief organization Rise Against Hunger. Brett Hetherington reports.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Observing World AIDS Day

PHILADELPHIA — For 37 million people around the world, living with HIV and AIDS is an everyday reality, said the Rev. William Brawner, pastor of Haven-Peniel and Midtown Parish United Methodist churches. “On Sunday, Dec. 1, let us all engage in honest dialogue about HIV testing, prevention and counseling,” said Brawner, who serves on the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee. 
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RECENT HEADLINES

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Faithful giving in a time of change


EVENTS

Monday, Dec. 2-Friday, Dec. 13 

Online class: Planning for the church emergency 

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