Daily Digest - December 17, 2018

“People want a decision to be made. They’ll be most disappointed, I think, if nothing happens.” The Rev. Judy Zabel on the special called session of General Conference


NEWS AND FEATURES

Delegation chairs look toward General Conference

DALLAS (UMNS) — If any group has a finger on the pulse of the United Methodist public, it’s the delegation chairpersons for the special called session of General Conference, set for Feb. 23-26 in St. Louis. They have heard the hopes and fears in the run-up to a legislative meeting aimed at preserving denominational unity. Sam Hodges has the story.
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Korean leaders wary of One Church Plan
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (UMNS) — It would be difficult for Korean United Methodists to accept a gay bishop if that were made possible by the church adopting the One Church Plan, Korean leaders said during a recent meeting with bishops. But the top executive of the denomination’s Korean Ministry Plan said if the plan would put the conflict to rest, he thinks Korean United Methodists could live with it. Thomas Kim has the story.
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Family members tell missing Native woman’s story
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — It has been 18 months since Ashley Loring Heavy Runner went missing from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. Her family is still desperate for answers. With assistance from The United Methodist Church, they were able to take their story to a hearing before lawmakers in Washington. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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West Virginia Conference
Rural church engages youth all year long

KINCHELOE, W.Va. — A young man’s heroin overdose death made Jennifer Paugh, vacation Bible school coordinator at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, wonder if his life would’ve been changed by connecting with a church. That led the tiny rural church to embrace youth outreach as its central mission. Jim Minutelli has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Rebuilding of 15 flooded homes underway

BRICK, N.J. — United Methodist volunteers, funded by $100,000 from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, plan to get 15 families back in their homes by the holidays in the aftermath of summer flooding. Many of the victims of the Aug. 13 flood are elderly and low-income. Josh Kinney and Kamelia Ani have the story.
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United Methodist Communications
United Methodist Inn welcomes migrants

TUCSON, Ariz. (UMC.org) — The Inn, started to provide housing for migrants coming out of detention centers in 2016, is now a year-round place of rest and refuge for migrants. United Methodist churches started The Inn after U.S. Customs and Immigration officials asked churches to establish an emergency shelter.
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COMMENTARIES

Editor’s note:
The “Many Voices, One Faith” forum this week features four commentaries on the equality of men and women in The United Methodist Church.
Many Voices, One Faith

‘Being equal on paper is not being equal in life’
CHICAGO (UMNS) — Whether women and men are equal in The United Methodist Church is a question to be pondered, writes Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women. While members of The United Methodist Church have much to celebrate, there is still work to be done. Her commentary is part of “Many Voices, One Faith,” which brings together diverse perspectives on topics related to faith and the church.
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Coming tomorrow: Gilbert C. Hanke, top executive of United Methodist Men, examines the roles of women and men in the life of the church.


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