Daily Digest - November 30, 2021

“The approval of Mil Voces Para Celebrar was a recognition by my denomination that Hispanics/Latinos belong in The UMC. Somos la Iglesia también! We are the Church as well!”Raúl Alegría, on the 1996 adoption of an official Spanish-language hymnal for The United Methodist Church.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Spanish-language hymnal turns 25

SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — This year marks the 25th anniversary of Mil Voces Para Celebrar, the Spanish-language hymnal of The United Methodist Church. The hymnal was no mere imitation of the United Methodist Hymnal, offering a range of different texts, fresh translations and Latin rhythms. An anniversary celebration is set for Dec. 5. Sam Hodges reports.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Local churches welcome Afghan refugees

NEPTUNE, N.J. — Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey is one of eight in the United States where tens of thousands of Afghans who were evacuated from Kabul are being housed. Area United Methodist churches have mobilized to welcome their new neighbors, hosting fundraisers, donating clothing and other items and helping connect them with potential area sponsors. Heather Mistretta has the story.
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Churches that help Afghans eligible for UMCOR grant

Dakotas Conference
New member worships virtually from Rwanda

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Bucyana Yves, a new member of Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church, attends services each week virtually from Rwanda. He became familiar with the church after members Jean and Curt Rosenkranz sponsored him as a student through Compassion International. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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The News Virginian
Church fire does not slow its generosity

STUARTS DRAFT, Va. — Members of Sherando United Methodist Church still grieve the loss of the church building to a fire last month. But the congregation, now meeting in a community center, is gearing up for Christmas with a Nativity display and shoeboxes full of gifts for children. Jordan Simal reports.
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PRESS RELEASES

Texas Methodist Foundation
Tom Locke to retire from TMF

AUSTIN, Texas — Tom Locke has announced he will retire as president of the Texas Methodist Foundation in 2022, after his successor has been chosen and comes on board. Locke began at TMF in 1988 as chief financial officer, becoming president in 1993. Under his leadership, the foundation has grown in assets from $30 million to more than $700 million.
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Lilly Endowment Inc. 
Lilly makes grants to seminaries
 
INDIANAPOLIS — Six United Methodist seminaries are among those getting grants of about $1 million each from the Lilly Endowment Inc., as part of Lilly’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. The United Methodist grantees are Claremont School of Theology, Iliff School of Theology, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Wesley Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School and Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
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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.

UM & Global
Nigerian church conflict has long history

DECORAH, Iowa — David W. Scott has summarized the long, complicated backstory to the current conflict among Nigerian United Methodists. His essay is posted on the UM & Global blog, a project of United Methodist Professors of Mission. 
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