Daily Digest - December 06, 2012

"What can you do to help? Pray for the campaign, those living and dying with malaria, and this gathering here in the nation's capital." - The Rev. Mike Dent, senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver.

Malaria fighters knock at Capitol Hill doors

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - More than 100 Imagine No Malaria advocates from across the connection pounded the pavement and doors of Capitol Hill Dec. 4 to rally support among members of Congress for continued global health funding. "We cannot underestimate the power of the connectional system," wrote Glen Simpson, coordinator of young adult ministries for the Desert Southwest Conference.
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'Queen' reigns over Liberian hospital

GANTA, Liberia (UMNS) - Ester Deline is "Queen of Ganta United Methodist Hospital," a title she earned because she was the top fundraiser for the hospital. She supports a hospital that has overcome years of civil war and today serves more than 450,000 people.
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Road to hospital chaplaincy took many turns

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (UMNS) - How do you go from a degree in biology to a career as a United Methodist hospital chaplain? For Kathy Steen, that road held many twists and turns, but she says there was one constant: God's presence and companionship.
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Bishop's reinstatement moves forward

HOUSTON (UMNS) - Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, president of the South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops, announced Dec. 5, the next steps in following the ruling decision by the denomination's top court to reinstate Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, who was involuntarily retired this summer.
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Finance agency listens to leaders on church mission

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Issues that get in the way of the church fulfilling its mission were the core topics of discussion for a group gathered by the General Council on Finance and Administration on Nov. 26. The group - comprised of 30 lay leaders, small and large church clergy, bishops, and annual conference personnel - gathered for an open discussion about denominational finances, disciple making and growth. The leaders developed recommendations for the finance agency that can help move the denominational conversation toward addressing deep spiritual issues, enhancing trust and accountability throughout the connection, and addressing needed structural changes.
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Bush speaks at symposium on immigration

DALLAS (UMNS) - Former President George W. Bush, a United Methodist, on Dec. 4 addressed a group of noted economists, scholars and business leaders about immigration and its positive impact on the U.S. economy. The conference represents a new partnership between the George W. Bush Institute, which is at United Methodist-related Southern Methodist University, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The gathering served to spotlight how immigration drives U.S. economic growth. "America is a nation of immigrants," Bush said. "Immigrants have helped build the country we have become and immigrants can help build a dynamic tomorrow."
Read President Bush's remarks
Read press coverage of the event

Calling young adults, youth leaders, young clergy

LAS VEGAS (UMNS) - Registration is now open for the United Methodist event Relevance X 2013: Making New Disciples and LEAD 2013. Register early for event discounts. Relevance Ministries, in partnership with United Methodist-related Claremont School of Theology, returns to Las Vegas Feb. 14-17, 2013, for Relevance LEAD and Relevance X. Young clergy, leaders of young adult ministries and young adults will gather from across the United States and Canada focused on converging, innovating and transforming young adult ministry in The United Methodist Church. Registration covers both events.
For more information

Texas church in remapped flood plain

PLANO, Texas (UMNS) - Hundreds of properties in Collin County, just north of Dallas, may soon have a difficult time getting insurance because of new maps drawn up by the federal government to determine the size of flood plains along creeks, WFAA.com reports. The Rev. Steve Robertson, executive pastor of St. Andrew Methodist Church, told WFAA.com that insurance on the church's $22 million property could skyrocket, if insurance can be obtained at all.
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