"I just know they (Bibles) are special. I thought surely these are special to someone. So far, I have probably found 80 to 90 Bibles. Many were packed back in the Tabernacle, the original worship center on the campus." — Connie Crosby, Camp Wesley Pines.
Precious Bibles lost, found at camp
HAZLEHURST, Miss. (UMNS) — In November 2012, Rebecca Teasley lost her three small children and her grandmother in a car accident. The tragedy weighs on her, but Connie Crosby lifted her spirits when she found a Bible Teasley’s grandmother gave her. Bibles left behind at Camp Wesley Pines — some from as far back as 30 years — are being returned to their rightful owners thanks to Crosby, food coordinator at the United Methodist camp. Tamica Smith Jeuitt reports.
Church welcomes Project Transformation
CAMAS, Wash. — Camas United Methodist Church will become a Project Transformation site next year, offering after-school and day camp programs for needy kids. Dawn Feldhaus reports for the Camas-Washougal Post-Record.
Read about Project Transformation
Church, conference refute Muslim sanctuary story
BOSQUEVILLE, Texas — A website article reporting that Bosqueville United Methodist Church had prepared to offer sanctuary to "a deluge of Muslim refugees," including possible terrorists, has been refuted by the pastor and the Central Texas Conference. Vance Morton, conference communications director, said there’s “absolutely no truth” to the assertion, which was based on an anonymous source.
New financial aid for seminarians
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — A new scholarship option for students enrolled in United Methodist seminaries launches Jan. 3, 2017. The denomination’s Board of Higher Education and Ministry said the Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship, ranging from $2,500 to $12,500, would help entering United Methodist clergy avoid excessive educational loan debt.
Hot cocoa and a warm welcome
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — This Christmas, in heavy-traffic areas of nine major U.S. cities, The United Methodist Church will have teams handing out hot cocoa. The drinks will come in paper goblets that say “Rethink Church” and share a website address with local church information. “We want to carry a message of hospitality out into our communities and welcome everyone to attend a United Methodist place of worship as Christmas nears,” said Dan Krause, top executive of United Methodist Communications.
New purpose after church closing in Ohio
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Although the congregation at Simpson United Methodist Church will mark the end of its 143-year presence on Dec. 11, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville plans to buy the building to house a soup kitchen and trauma counseling center. Simpson is the only African-American congregation in the denomination’s Ohio Valley District, reports Janice Kiaski of The Herald-Star.
Read story
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.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve — United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers ideas for a service of lessons and carols as well as ways to welcome Christmas guests. Resources
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