"I think God had his hand in there, and he kept giving me the people that I needed. The teams were absolutely wonderful." — Jim Truitt, UMVIM disaster response coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Conference, on rebuilding in Alaska.
Volunteers ‘beat the clock’ in Alaskan village
GALENA, Alaska (UMNS) — Volunteers who spent two-week stints rebuilding homes in Alaska over the summer “beat the clock,” completing their work in this remote fishing village before winter set in. Most of the homes were destroyed when an ice jam flooded the Yukon River in May 2013. Susan Kim reports for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
‘NoXcuses for Violence against Women’
GENEVA (UMNS) — The World Council of Churches is inviting its member churches and partners to join the World YWCA campaign “NoXcuses for Violence against Women.” The campaign, which started last week, leads up to 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign that runs Nov. 25-Dec. 10.
Loving one’s neighbor on the run
ATLANTA (UMNS) — Katie O’Dunne, a student at United Methodist Candler School of Theology, shares lessons she learned during early morning runs with the homeless and volunteers in “Back on My Feet,” an empowerment program. “Each morning, we huddled up with our arms around each other and prayed,” she writes. “We became a community.”
N.C. pastor shares recipe on ‘Today Show’
NEW YORK (UMNS) — The Rev. Carolyn Sims, pastor of Corinth United Methodist Church in North Carolina, recently was featured in a segment on NBC-TV’s “Today Show.” Sims and her cranberry-apple pork chops were among the three winners in the “Too Good to Be Healthy” search for low-calorie, apple-inspired recipes.
Watch segment (and get recipe)
Ministry idea: Move-in kits for seniors
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists in the Memphis Conference have an innovative way to help people making the transition to the Wesley Living senior residence: move-in kits. The kits cost about $200 each and contain household and personal items. The Memphis Conference reports on the Golden Cross Senior Residents Fund ministry.
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 22-24
Deborah’s Daughters Women in Ministry and Leadership Conference — United Theological Seminary will hold the conference at the seminary’s main campus at 4501 Denlinger Road, Dayton, Ohio, and at the Hilton Garden Inn in Beavercreek, Ohio. Details
2014 Downtown Church Network — A peer-learning event at First United Methodist Church of Arlington, Texas, aimed at pastors and staff of churches in downtown metropolitan areas of at least 100,000 in population. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.