Daily Digest - January 6, 2020

“To be clear, nothing will happen immediately, and much work remains as legislation currently is being developed for delegates to potentially act on.” — North Texas Conference Bishop Michael McKee, on a new separation plan for The United Methodist Church.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Reaction aplenty to separation plan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists are reacting to a major new plan — offered by a diverse team of church leaders — for getting past the denomination’s long struggle over how inclusive to be of LGBTQ persons. Support, criticism, heartbreak, caution — all were voiced. Sam Hodges and Kathy L. Gilbert report.
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Diverse leaders' group offers separation plan

World Council of Churches
Australian churches respond to fire crisis

GENEVA — Churches have been at the forefront among the responders in both prayers and deeds as Australians in four states deal with killer fires engulfing towns and communities, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded. Peter Kenny reports.
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Read letter from World Council of Churches to churches in Australia

Educating church leaders without internet access
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist church leaders in remote regions of the Philippines now can access church educational materials without an internet connection. With a new portable hotspot device from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, 50 students and faculty within a 150-foot radius can download digital resources at the same time. The Rev. Thomas Kim reports.
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Arkansas Conference
Church connects with weekly free breakfast

BATESVILLE, Ark. — Every Saturday morning, Batesville United Methodist Church hosts a free breakfast for the community. They make enough eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy and the like to serve 80 people. “It has become a community gathering center,” said one organizer. Sam Pierce has the story. 
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Children at refugee camp get Christmas surprise
AMPAIN, Ghana (UM News) — A delegation from The United Methodist Church in Côte d'Ivoire delivered more than 540 gifts to a refugee camp in Ghana on Christmas Day. Every child ages 12 and younger at the camp received a toy from Santa. Isaac Broune has the story.
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RECENT HEADLINES

Bishop Eutsler, trusted leader, dies at 100

Bishop visits remote areas of Congo for first time


EVENTS

Monday, Jan. 27-Friday, Feb. 7
Online course: Creating Safe Spaces for Children and Youth Ministries


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