Daily Digest - December 11, 2023

“COVID-19 damaged people’s confidence in life. People were not sure they would ever congregate again, but God said it was a thing in passing, and now we are back to worship.” — Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa


NEWS AND FEATURES

Church conventions help heal COVID-19 scars 
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Healing Conventions in the Zimbabwe East and West annual conferences brought together thousands of clergy and laity for a time of prayer, worship and spiritual healing. The meetings followed a four-year hiatus of in-person gatherings. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
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Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Conference responds to Tennessee tornadoes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s Dec. 9 tornadoes killed at least six people and caused significant damage, including to Fellowship United Methodist Church in Clarksville and Bellshire United Methodist Church in northern Nashville. The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Disaster Response Team is beginning to assess community needs. United Methodists are asked not to self-deploy. Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Tennessee-Western Kentucky’s response are welcome. 
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Donate to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response
Donate to Tennessee-Western Kentucky Disaster Response

Status and Role of Women
Agency releases report on bishop’s trial
CHICAGO — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, which has responsibility for monitoring church gatherings, has released its report on the church trial of California-Nevada Conference Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño. After she underwent an 18-month paid suspension from ministry, a church trial found her not guilty of all charges. The agency’s report includes its recommendations related to the suspension, trial and just-resolution process.
Read report (PDF)

Star Tribune
Welcoming homeless to the neighborhood
MINNEAPOLIS — Volunteers from Richfield United Methodist Church are going out of their way to welcome formerly homeless people to their neighborhood. The former Metro Inn is being converted by Agate Housing and Services into permanent housing for people exiting homelessness. The church members have put together gift bags with cleaning supplies and bedding. They’ve also sewn curtains and crocheted potholders for the tenants. Jennifer Brooks reports.
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Upper New York Conference
Church’s Ebenezer stone commemorates its history
PINE CITY, N.Y. — The word Ebenezer means more than Scrooge. Church leaders at Webb Mills United Methodist Church decided to celebrate the history of the church and its membership by creating an Ebenezer stone collection in front of the church’s sign. It may look like just a pile of rocks, but it’s much more than that. Eric Coon has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES

Missouri Conference
Culture coaches gear up for deployment
ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Conference trained 12 clergy and laity as culture coaches who will be deployed in 2024 to walk alongside local churches interested in learning about multicultural leadership, cross-cultural connection and healing justice. The culture coaches were selected from over 30 applicants to help Missouri Conference leaders and congregations in intercultural appointments build skills in better cultural understanding. 
Read press release


RESOURCES

Advocate Press
Book shares story of special-needs ministry
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Advocate Press has released a book on the 20-year history of Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry, a nonprofit affiliated with the South Carolina Conference that provides housing and independence for adults with special needs. Proceeds from the sale of the book, “Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry,” will benefit the ministry and the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.
Read press release 
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RECENT HEADLINES

Celebrating 150 years of Methodism in Mexico

Room at the inn, courtesy of Hispanic church


EVENTS

Monday, Jan. 8-Sunday, Jan. 21
Certified Lay Minister Module One: Call and Covenant for Ministry

Sunday, Jan. 14
Human Relations Day