Daily Digest - October 28, 2015

“We will be involved in long-term recovery after the cameras go away.” — The Rev. Kathy James on the South Carolina Conference flood recovery efforts.

South Carolina focuses on flood recovery

COLUMBIA, S. C. (UMNS) — Weeks after catastrophic flooding, South Carolina United Methodists are working to help the thousands hurt by the storm — a process that could take as long as three years. The conference has set up a hotline to take requests for help and offers of assistance. Jessica Brodie reports for the Advocate.
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Local churches reaching out
 

Protesters disrupt forum at L.A. church

LOS ANGELES — Protesters disrupted an Oct. 19 forum at Holman United Methodist Church featuring Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The Rev. Kelvin Sauls, pastor, decided against a return visit by the mayor. Emily Alpert Reyes reports for the Los Angeles Times.
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‘Classic Church' and millennials

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (UMNS) — Reaching the millennial generation through “classic church” worship combined with a theology of love and grace was the subject of the Rev. Jana Childers’ recent address at the Rocky Mountain Conference’s Preaching Academy. The Rev. Kerry Greenhill reports.
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Vital merger model works for Florida church

BRADENTON, Fla. (UMNS) — With an aging congregation, Christ United Methodist Church faced the sad prospect of shuttering its sanctuary and disbanding. Enter Harvest United Methodist, Lakewood Ranch, which was growing steadily. With the encouragement of the Florida Conference and the Gulf Central District, leaders of the two churches agreed to join forces as one congregation with two campuses. Susan Green has the story for the Florida Conference.
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German ‘climate pilgrims’ halfway on walk to Paris

GENEVA (WCC) — Faith groups are building awareness of the importance of reaching a binding and ambitious agreement at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Climate pilgrims walking more than 1,000 kilometers from Flensburg, Germany, to Paris reached the halfway point in Wuppertal recently, where many Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders welcomed them.
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Seeking climate justice in Paris
 

Partnership boosts Hispanic church

HOUSTON (UMNS) — El Mesias United Methodist Church here has found new vitality through a partnership with the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans. The church's facilities are being used for English classes and a charter school, and it hosted a well-attended National Night Out event. The Texas Conference reports.
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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.

Thursday, Oct. 29 
2015 Halstead Lecture — 7:30 p.m. EDT. John Dominic Crossan will deliver a lecture on "The Historical Jesus and Divine Violence: How to Read the New Testament and Still Be a Christian" at the Concert Hall at Drew University’s Young Center for the Arts. Crossan is one of the best-known New Testament scholars in the world. His “How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis through Revelation” has recently been released, and his Halstead lecture will be adapted from it. Admission is free and the event will be livestreamed. Register online.

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31
Fall Admissions Weekend at Candler School of Theology, Emory University — Candler is hosting a weekend open house for prospective students to explore resources and opportunities the school offers, featuring seminars with Candler faculty, dinner and conversation with current students, and tours of Emory’s Atlanta campus and surrounding areas. Limited hotel reservations are available for out-of-town guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Details.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.