"Jazz is his voice. He speaks the gospel through his music." — The Rev. Lori Hartman, describing the Rev. Nat Dixon, a United Methodist pastor and saxophonist.
Jazz-playing pastor brings out CD
NEW YORK (UMNS) — The Rev. Nat Dixon likes to riff on his tenor saxophone before preaching at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in the Bronx, where he’s pastor. Dixon, a former full-time jazz musician, is out with a new CD that includes secular and sacred jazz tunes. Singing on the CD is another United Methodist pastor with deep jazz roots. Sam Hodges reports.
Bishops’ letter congratulates President-elect Trump
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — On behalf of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, Bishop Bruce R. Ough sent a congratulatory letter to President-elect Donald Trump. In the letter, Ough — council president — sent a prayer and a plea for the nation to come together.
A call to 'stand united in prayer' post-election
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of United Methodist Board of Church and Society, offers a word, a prayer and a song for the world after the 2016 election. “Today, may we stand united in prayer for all those who have accepted the mantle of leadership: that they might find strength and wisdom to lead our communities and country in the days ahead.”
Tips for healing after Election Day
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — United Methodists may feel divided on many issues today. An expert in conflict transformation offers tips to help church members reconnect after a divisive U.S. election season. Joe Iovino reports.
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North Carolina seeks volunteers for hurricane recovery
GARNER, N.C. (UMNS) — The North Carolina Conference is working on homes in eight counties in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, but the conference needs more volunteers. Derek Leek reports on how United Methodists can join the recovery effort.
Churches hold Election Day services
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (UMNS) — Churches in the Alabama-West Florida Conference responded to a divisive presidential election by offering communion and welcoming poll workers and voters to church.
Committee on Faith and Order organizes
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The United Methodist Committee on Faith and Order met Oct. 26-28 to welcome its new members, elect officers and plan its work for the next four years. This work will include engaging the church in a study of its ecclesiology (a theology of church), with the goal of producing an official document to parallel similar statements on baptism and the Eucharist.
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.
Monday, Nov. 14 to Wednesday, Nov. 16
Faith and Guns Forum — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society invites United Methodists to share and learn about gun violence, gun control legislation, and strategies for coalition building and mobilizing congregations to be the change God calls Christians to be. The forum will be at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. $200 for those who need housing; $75 for those who do not. Details
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Webinar "Healthy Families Series: (Emotional Health) Strengthening Families" — 2 p.m. CST. Role modeling and mentoring is important for developing strong families. Join staff from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries as they share how the church can support families in this holy work. Details
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