"Let us live to the standard of ministry set by Jesus. This is the call to every United Methodist." — Filipino Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco.
Filipino bishop honored for sheltering poor
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (UMNS) — United Methodist Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco gave sanctuary to thousands of poor and starving farmers when a peaceful demonstration turned deadly outside the gates of the Spottswood Methodist Mission Center. United Methodist News Service is honoring him as United Methodist of the Year. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Emphasizing unity in Christ over divisiveness
WICHITA, Kan. (UMNS) — A Kansas church is charting a middle course amid theological divides, disagreements about homosexuality and the possibility of schism. Tim Tanton reports on Aldersgate United Methodist Church, a thriving suburban congregation.
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Agency report: Higher Education and Ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry wants to make a seminary education more affordable for those called to ministry and increase availability of quality theological education worldwide. Part of a series of reports on the work each general agency accomplished in 2016.
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Hearing familiar hymns with new ears
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Charles Wesley wrote more than 6,000 hymns used by the early Methodists. Among them are hymns still used today to teach about the preparations of Advent. Throughout this season of waiting, Joe Iovino has devotions based on Wesley’s hymns.
Born to set thy people free
And God himself is born
Glory to the newborn King
Luce grant to fund seminary environmental initiative
DELAWARE, Ohio (UMNS) — The Henry Luce Foundation has awarded a three-year, $425,000 grant to Methodist Theological School in Ohio to support the establishment of the Seminary Environmental Leadership Initiative. The grant will be shared by MTSO, the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, and the Green Seminary Initiative, a project of United Methodist Drew Theological School and GreenFaith.
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42 years of making a difference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Marilyn Dunnaway is retiring from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry after 42 years of service. “I hope people remember that I care about everyone,” she says.
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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.
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Webinar “Healthy Families Series: (Social Health) Tackling Challenges of Clergy Families” — 2 p.m. CST. This webinar looks at the unique stresses for clergy families, including sexism and racism, and how the church can be supportive and demonstrate God’s love for families across many experiences. Details
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