“If the governments of the world can’t figure out how to collectively be effective, then maybe the church can, maybe the international faith community can.” – The Rev. Pat Watkins on the upcoming Paris climate summit.
Seeking climate justice in Paris
NEW YORK (UMNS) – When world leaders gather in Paris at the end of November to broker an accord on climate change, representatives of the faith community, including United Methodists, will be there to urge them to act. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Duke, Drew scientists win Nobel Prizes
STOCKHOLM (UMNS) – Scientists from two United Methodist-related universities, Duke and Drew, are among this year’s Nobel Prize winners. Duke’s Paul Modrich shares the prize in chemistry with two other scientists for mechanistic studies of DNA repair. Drew University’s William Campbell shares the prize in physiology or medicine with Satoshi Omura for their work discovering a drug that treats parasitic diseases.
Read Drew news release
Read Duke news release
New mission work in Africa
NEW YORK (UMNS) – A new Central African Republic mission initiative, which got its start through the work of United Methodists in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will support local spiritual and peace efforts in the conflict-ridden nation. Elliott Wright reports for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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Church plans regional office in Argentina
Hispanic/Latino churches developing large congregations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – Hispanic/Latino United Methodist churches, traditionally seen as primarily small congregations within the connection in the United States, are using small groups and other disciple-making efforts to develop larger churches with 350-plus worshipers. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries reports on this trend.
Read press release
A church for people with disabilities
LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (UMNS) – The Rev. Don Geller has started a new United Methodist church in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, where people with disabilities and their caregivers will be welcomed into a worship experience designed for them. Wesley Theological Seminary reports on Community with a Cause.
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Pre-General Conference video series launched
CHICAGO (UMNS) – The Connectional Table is launching a series of weekly videos in October to help inform United Methodist church leaders and General Conference delegates leading up to the 2016 General Conference next May. The videos are part of an online forum called #CTTalks.
Get details
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.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Children's Sabbath – On this day, many United Methodists celebrate the sacredness of children. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers worship resources
Thursday, Oct. 15
Webinar "Small Groups, Big Results: Developing and Maintaining Groups in your Church" – What's the secret to creating a vibrant congregation with a real sense of community and spirituality? There is no single magic answer, but small-group ministries are an important tool in the toolbox. This webinar offers some tips. Details
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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