Daily Digest - November 19, 2012

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UMNS Daily Digest
Produced by United Methodist News Service
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. The people of The United Methodist Church
Monday, November 19, 2012

"Beloved, as you journey remember that God does some of God's best work in times of trial." - Bishop Martin D. McLee to the New York Annual (regional) Conference.

Tips to re-energize inactive members

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Intentional relational efforts and constant communication can prevent new members from becoming idle and prompt the return of those people who have become inactive. Here are eight tips to re-engage the people missing from worship.
Read full story

Chuck Knows Church: Liturgical colors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Ever walk into your Sunday morning worship service and realize the colors have changed around the sanctuary? The first episode of video series "Chuck Knows Church" explains why and when the colors change. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship has produced the video series.
Watch video

N.Y. United Methodists continue Sandy response

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (UMNS) - In a Nov. 15 letter to the United Methodist New York Annual (regional) Conference, Bishop Martin McLee recounts his visit to storm-damaged New Dorp Beach on Staten Island. United Methodists are working around New York and New Jersey in response to Hurricane Sandy. The New York Conference Disaster Response office now has sites set up on Long Island ready to receive early response teams and individual ERT volunteers.
Read Bishop Martin D. McLee's letter
ERT registration
Donate for Sandy relief

Advent studies available

TIPP CITY, Ohio (UMNS) - Advent starts Dec. 2, and a number of United Methodist agencies and partners are offering special studies and activities as we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth. Here are just a handful:

  • "A Different Kind of Christmas" - A multimedia package including devotions, studies for different age groups, a sermon series, video and Reclaim Christmas graphics. Based on the Rev. Mike Slaughter's book "A Different Kind of Christmas: Living and Giving Like Jesus," the package is provided by United Methodist Communication's Rethink Church and the United Methodist Publishing House. Details.
  • "Singing Mary's Song" - Online course, Nov. 30- Dec. 29, from Upper Room Multimedia, a division of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship, $45. Details.
  • "Poor, Young & Pregnant: Mary's Advent" - A one-day student and mission project prepared by Healthy Families, Healthy Planet at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. It concludes with instructions for assembly of birthing kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Details.
  • "Joy to the World!" - Society of St. Andrew devotion and giving program based on Luke 1:44 for Sunday school classes, small groups and families.Society of St. Andrew, a United Methodist partner, is a food gleaning and distribution ministry.. Details.

Looking ahead

Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share with others, email[email protected]and put Digest in the subject line.

Before Advent - United Methodist Communications urges all churches to update their profiles in November on Find-a-Church profile on www.umc.org. Help people celebrate "A Different Kind of Christmas." To update.

Nov. 20 - Deadline to get on the schedule for the public forum of the United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits, 11:45 a.m. Eastern Time, Dec. 7, Marriott Hollywood Beach, 2501 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood, Fla. To place your name and topic on the agenda and for specific presentation requirements, contact Colette Nies at 1-800-269-2244, extension 4296, or by email at [email protected].

Nov. 22 - U.S. Thanksgiving Day. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship has worship resources and ideas for grace.

Nov. 25 - United Methodist Student Day, when one of the six churchwide Special Sundays, is traditionally observed. The Student Day offering provides scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist-related and other accredited colleges and universities. Details.

Nov. 29-Dec. 1 - 2012 Multicultural Conference, "Creating a Church for All People," Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Leadership includes retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, retired Bishop Linda Lee and Bill Cruse. Details.

Nov. 30 - United Methodist Grand Revival Worship Celebration, Philsports Arena (Ultra), Pasig City, the Philippines. Details.

Dec. 1 - World AIDS Day. Worship resources.Donate to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund.

Dec. 2 - The Rev. Bill Britt, senior pastor of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, will be the featured speaker for the first Sunday of Advent on the radio program "Day 1." To listen.

Dec. 2-5 - Imagine No Malaria "Days on the Hill," The United Methodist Board of Church and Society and annual (regional) conferences leaders will advocate to U.S. Congress members for continued support of global health aid. Prayers are welcome. Details.

Dec. 4-7 and 11-14 - Free Christmas concerts, 1-1:30 p.m., Wightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, Tenn. Details.

Dec. 9-13 - "The Art of Coaching, Conflict Transformation and the Intersection of the Two: Moving to a New Place" seminar facilitated by Chris Holmes and Craig Gilliam, Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue Hotel in New Orleans. JustPeace, the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and the Louisiana Conference Center for Pastoral Excellence are among the sponsors. To register or for further questions, contact Linda Gregg at 225-346-1646 or [email protected]. Details.

Dec. 14 - Deadline for United Methodist clergy, ages 35 and younger, to apply for United Methodist Board of Church and Society's Young Clergy Leadership Forum, Feb. 4-6, United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill. An addition event on Feb. 7-8 will give participants chance to engage in public policy. Details.

Jan. 2-5 - 2013 Congress of Evangelism, Crowne Plaza at Rivinia, Dunwoody, Ga. Speakers include Bishop Lindsey Davis, the Rev. Sharma D. Lewis and the Rev. H. Eddie Fox. Details.

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