Daily Digest - January 25, 2013

"Despite everything I've been through as a preacher's kid and a pastor's wife, I've learned that you can look at itinerancy negatively and it can make everything miserable or you can bloom where you are planted." - Brandi Harvey, wife of the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Baxley, Ga.

How pastors can 'bloom where planted'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - While we often hear about military families moving frequently, pastors and their families often pack up their belongings and change addresses as many as three or four times during their careers. Some of those pastors find that the relocations can be really hard on their families.
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Devastation from Mozambique floods continues

MAPUTO, Mozambique (UMNS) - Naftal Oliveira Massela Naftal, a United Methodist communicator in Mozambique, reports that almost 100,000 have been affected in two areas hard-hit earlier this week and that floodwaters now are moving into Xai-Xai, the capital city of Gaza Province. The United Methodist Church has more than 150,000 members in more than 180 congregations in the country.
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About the church in Mozambique

Churches urged to seek money in different way

WITCHITA, Kan. (UMNS) - The Rev. Clif Christopher, author of "Not Your Parents' Offering Plate," believes most churches ask for money in completely the wrong way. Instead of showing the value of donating to the church's ministry, they give a "doom-and-gloom" picture of the budget and even how close the church is to closing the doors for good. Susan Cooper, Kansas communications associate director, for the Kansas West Annual (regional) Conference reports on Christopher's perspective.
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Unclutter your church, pastor says

PHOENIX, Ariz. (UMNS) - Some churches may not have literal clutter but rather institutional or habitual clutter, says the Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, pastor of Crossroads United Methodist Church. "The only One we worship is God," she said. "We don't worship our stuff, our memories, our dreams, our dashed hopes, or our traditions. We worship our God. We worship the One who knows how to raise up a king from a person who starts out hiding among the baggage."
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'Respite Day' program director makes difference

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (UMNS) - The 'Respite Day' program at The First United Methodist Church in Cloverdale brings together participants who either have some form of dementia, or in one case, Parkinson's. But, the day really is designed for the caregivers at home, reports WSFA.com. "They (caregivers) constantly to have watch them every day, 24/7," Daphne Johnston, program director, told the television station.
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Dickinson to acquire Allison United Methodist

CARLISLE, Pa. (UMNS) - United Methodist-related Dickinson College has announced it has agreed to acquire Allison United Methodist Church. The church property is contiguous with the Benjamin Rush campus of Dickinson.
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