“The camp enabled young people to reflect and understand the need to be the light of the world, so that wherever we go, we make a difference by being youth with the mind and love of Christ.” — Bunga Filipe, coordinator of a church youth camp in West Angola.
NEWS AND FEATURES
West Angola camp helps youth shine
LUBANGO, Angola (UM News) — About 700 young people from 12 United Methodist church districts gathered to connect with peers and grow in their faith under the theme “Let Your Light Shine Bright.” The event, the largest in the group’s history, coincided with celebrations to mark 71 years since the youth organization was founded in West Angola. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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Louisiana Conference
Pumpkin patch connects churches, community
SHREVEPORT, La. — St. Luke’s United Methodist Church has hosted an annual pumpkin patch since 1991. Last year, the church realized it needed more volunteers, so members asked nearby Broadmoor United Methodist Church if they would form a pumpkin patch partnership. Now, both congregations are running the pumpkin patch during October, with all proceeds going to local mission projects. Mark Lambert reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Confronting trauma, building resilience
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Trauma, especially unaddressed, can affect how church members engage with one another inside and outside of church communities. In the latest episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the Rev. Christy Miller White offers practical tips to help bring healing and develop resiliency to live with trauma.
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Minnesota Conference
Grant makes history accessible
MINNEAPOLIS — Conference journals stretching back to 1850 are now digitized to make access to them easier. The journals serve as the official record of the conference and in many cases are the only remaining historical documents that reflect what has happened from year to year. A Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant paid for the digitization. Heidi Heller, archivist for the Minnesota Conference, has the story.
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Alabama-West Florida Conference
New church forms near the site of old mill
OPELIKA, Ala. — Once a thriving mill town, Opelika is now home to a new United Methodist church nestled in the heart of the Mill Village. For the first Sunday in its new home, Foundry United Methodist Church welcomed 143 worshippers through freshly painted doors. The Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, the church planter, has the story.
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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.
Creating a Culture of Renewal
4 ways to talk about money in church
CASPER, Wyo. — While not easy, churches need to talk about money if they want to keep their ministries running. The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, a church consultant, offers four ways churches can talk about stewardship, including aligning giving with the church’s mission.
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