Daily Digest - October 6, 2021

"The whole life of the church has been seriously affected. Insufficient or no salaries have been a struggle. Mental health issues are raging; income has decreased." — The Rev. Cristine "Tintin" Carnate-Atrero, on the magnitude of COVID-19 devastation in the Philippines.

NEWS AND FEATURES

Filipino churchgoers minister amid COVID-19
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — As the country grapples with the surge of the delta variant, Filipino United Methodists are finding new ways to minister to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read story

Louisiana Conference
Army of angels helps 'Miss Cat'

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Carline DeJean, known to many as "Miss Cat," professes to have Job-like patience. And she's needed it, given the weather-related calamities that have beset her and her two-bedroom, wood-frame cottage. But lately she's come to the attention of United Methodist volunteers, who are turning her fortunes around. Mark Lambert reports Miss Cat's case as an example of the long-term relief work underway in the Louisiana Conference.
Read story

Virginia Conference
Dying congregation finds new life with merger

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — After joining with a church plant, a once-dwindling congregation has seen its attendance rise to 60 and is still growing. The multiracial New Life at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church now has broken ground on a new church building that will be debt-free. Dwayne Stinson, the Virginia Conference's associate director of influencing, has the story.
Read story

The Conversation Podcast
Pastor interviews Philip Yancey

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Rev. Adam Weber, lead pastor of the multi-campus United Methodist Embrace Church, talks with bestselling Christian author Philip Yancey. The author shares personal stories about his struggles with church, decision to follow God and the way doubt shaped his faith. Yancey's newest book, "Where the Light Fell: A Memoir," came out Oct. 5.
Listen to podcast

United Methodist Men
United Methodist Men Give Day nears

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The third annual United Methodist Men Give Day will be Oct. 18. The Commission on United Methodist Men receives less than 25% of its yearly budget funding from apportionments — shares of church giving. Give Day helps the commission to provide resources and support to United Methodist Men in conferences and local churches.
Learn more about United Methodist Men
To give

PRESS RELEASES

Church and Society
Filipino human rights to be discussed

BRUSSELS — A roundtable discussion about human rights in the Philippines is set for 8 a.m. U.S. Eastern time Oct. 8. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is a co-sponsor of the event organized by the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines. The findings of Investigate PH, an independent investigation on human rights violations in the country, also will be discussed. The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive for Church and Society, is one of 10 international commissioners for Investigate PH.
Learn more and register
Read press release on investigation

World Methodist Council
Hunger campaign set for World Food Day

NUSSLOCH, Germany — A weekend of prayer and action to battle worldwide hunger is set for Oct. 16-17, co-sponsored by the World Methodist Council. Liturgy guides, a factsheet on hunger and famine, videos and a prayer and activity guide are available to enrich the weekend.
Read press release
See resources
UM News: Groups help alleviate hunger in Zimbabwe

RECENT HEADLINES

Conversations address going separate ways

Publishing House moves pension plan, sells campus

EVENTS

Sunday, Oct. 17

Laity Sunday

Monday, Oct. 11-Monday, Oct. 25

Online course: Becoming an Effective Witness for Jesus Christ


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