Daily Digest - November 14, 2023

“This is a sacred trust, and I will hold it with care and great responsibility.”Bishop Tracy S. Malone upon her election as the next Council of Bishops president. 


NEWS AND FEATURES

Bishops plan for new leaders, renewed vision
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UM News) — During its November meeting, the United Methodist Council of Bishops elected East Ohio Bishop Tracy S. Malone as its next president. She will be the first Black woman to serve in that role. In addition to electing new officers, the bishops discussed their vision for how the denomination can move on from a tumultuous time. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read press release

Alabama-West Florida Conference
Judge dismisses lawsuit by churches seeking exit

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A Montgomery County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of 42 churches seeking the court’s help in disaffiliating from the Alabama-West Florida Conference. In a ruling released Nov. 10, the judge said the court is without jurisdiction in the case “because the relief sought by Plaintiffs would require the Court to interpret a provision of the Book of Discipline intertwined with church doctrine.” 
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North Carolina Conference
Food pantry helps congregation love its neighbors

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Members of Wrightsboro United Methodist Church share how they express God’s love through their food pantry ministry. Open twice a week, the pantry feeds as many as 600 to 700 people in a month. “The community knows that we’re here. We welcome everybody,” said volunteer Suzanne Timmons.
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Mountain Sky Conference
Conference receives US federal energy grant

BOULDER, Colo. — The Mountain Sky Conference announced that it is a recipient of a new kind of grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support energy efficiency in the nonprofit sector. The conference received the grant, which will support energy-efficiency projects at local churches, in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder. The $5.87 million grant will fund projects across five states: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Evelyn Warren reports.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. 
 
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Seminary student connects with Native American ministries

BRYN MAWR, Pa. — In 2022, Terri Leone joined fellow Drew Theological School students on a trip to the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana. To prepare, they studied the concept of “cultural humility,” which emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, acknowledgment of power differentials and responsible use of power. Now a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Committee on Native American Ministries, Leone shares how that concept can guide her ministry.
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RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications
United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 26

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Student Day is Nov. 26 this year. On this special Sunday, 100% of the Student Day offering goes to support scholarships for students. United Methodist Communications provides resources for worship and promotion. 
See resources
Learn more about UM Student Day


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EVENTS

Thursday, Nov. 16

Jazz Vespers: Celebrating 70 years of The Upper Room Chapel

Monday, Nov. 27-Friday, Dec. 1
Zoom workshop: Invent Event


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