Daily Digest - November 29, 2022

“All people, United Methodists and non-United Methodists alike, need to understand that this is a crucial moment. We must embark, without wasting time, in agriculture in order to produce more food and fight famine.” East Congo Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Church responds as famine threatens Congo 

KINDU, Congo (UM News) — Millions of people in Congo have been affected by famine aggravated by conflict in some areas and the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations’ World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization report that one in three people are affected by high acute food insecurity in the region. East Congo Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda is urging people of faith to amplify agricultural activities to fight famine. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
Read story

Texas Conference
Sisters boost help for moms after miscarriage

HOUSTON — Thanks to the brainstorming and dedication of two sisters — one a nurse and the other a United Methodist pastor — Houston Methodist Hospital now has a space where nurses can go to find the best words and resources to share with women who have been through a miscarriage or stillbirth. Lindsay Peyton reports.
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United Methodist Communications 
God's good creation: Rethinking disabilities

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many people with disabilities experience isolation and loneliness, even in their United Methodist church. Jim Patterson reports on how by creating a welcoming environment to those with disabilities, the church and its members can experience the giftedness and goodness of all.
Read story

Click2Houston.com
Church helps during water emergency

HOUSTON — When Houston issued a boil water alert, Boynton Chapel United Methodist Church stepped in to help provide bottled water to seniors and others in the city’s Third Ward. Moriah Ballard reports.
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PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Communications
Prominent ads planned for Christmas season

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church is placing advertisements this Christmas season, including in Times Square in New York, where nearly 360,000 pedestrians pass through each day. The ads will offer an invitation to join United Methodists seeking out the hope present in God’s love. In addition, there will be English and Spanish-language billboards on highways in 13 U.S. cities and a new spot for TikTok and Snapchat.
Read press release

Northern Illinois Conference
Author Drew G.I. Hart to speak on racism

CHICAGO — A series of four Zoom discussions about racism, organized by the Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force and its partners, will end with a Dec. 1 session: “Doing God’s Work for the Beloved Community.” Drew G.I. Hart, author of “Trouble I've Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism,” will discuss what the local church can do to combat the continuation of racism in the church and in society. Past events in the series were recorded and are available for viewing.
Read press release
Watch other events in the series


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.
 
Paradox on the plains
DALLAS (UM News) — When Kansans voted recently to protect abortion rights, they continued a rich history of advocacy. “If history teaches anything,” writes Kendra Weddle, “it is that truth is often found not in the extremes of any position, but in the tension of opposites.”
Read commentary


RECENT HEADLINES

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Estrella elected Philippines Central’s first female bishop

Philippines Central Conference elects Painit as bishop


EVENTS

Thursday, Dec. 1

Faith Talks: Celebrating Advent

Monday, Jan. 9-Sunday, Jan. 29
Online course: Transforming the One-Room Sunday School Classroom

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