“He had an enthusiasm and joyfulness that was really contagious.” — The Rev. James Howell, senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, about his father-in-law, the late Bishop Thomas B. Stockton.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishop Stockton remembered for joyful spirit
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (UM News) — Bishop Thomas B. Stockton, who died Oct. 18 at 93, is being remembered for his optimism and commitment to tending to the needs of underprivileged people. Services are set for Oct. 28 at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. Jim Patterson reports.
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Mississippi Conference
Conference camps honor clergy with rest
OXFORD, Miss. — October is Pastor Appreciation Month and a great way of showing clergy appreciation and recognizing their tireless dedication is by giving them an opportunity to rest and recharge. Mississippi Conference campgrounds, along with other local participating locations, are providing free two-night retreats for clergy this season. Matthew Johnson has the story.
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Oregon-Idaho Conference
Church creates affordable housing
PORTLAND, Ore. — After years of planning, Portsmouth Common apartment complex is open for business on the property of Portsmouth Union Church. On Oct. 18, members of the church were joined by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek in celebrating the development of a 20-unit apartment complex designed to provide veterans with much-needed affordable housing. Kristen Caldwell has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Higher Education and Ministry
Bergquist to retire; Fernandes to lead GBHEM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries are moving toward greater missional and operational alignment with the announcement that the Rev. Greg Bergquist will retire next year and Roland Fernandes, top executive of Global Ministries, will assume leadership of both agencies. Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, Higher Education and Ministry board president, described the decision not as a merger of the two agencies but a way to make each agency stronger, more resilient and more effective around the world. The agencies will remain separate tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations.
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Wesley Theological Seminary
Ministry Innovator internships available
WASHINGTON — The Wesley Innovation Hub at Wesley Theological Seminary is participating in a pilot cohort of young adults by offering paid Ministry Innovator internships. College graduates under the age of 29 can serve as ministry innovators who learn fresh ways to meet other adults, research how to best build community and lead change. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.
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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 UM News staff.
Greater New Jersey Conference
Vision and teamwork create success
NEPTUNE, N.J. — “A compelling vision, paired with a competent and committed team, can accomplish extraordinary feats of mission,” writes the Rev. Steven Morton. He shares examples of how teamwork and vision can work together and offers questions for reflection.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Regionalization is already (partly) here
Doing church after a disaffiliation vote
EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 30-Saturday, Nov. 18
Online course: Living Our United Methodist Beliefs
Monday, Nov. 6-Friday, Nov. 17
Online course: Anxiety, Fear and Faith
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