“I remember Bishop DeWitt as a man committed to social justice with a special passion for labor issues. He was indefatigable in his pursuit of worker justice.” — The Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, former top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
Bishop DeWitt, workers’ advocate, dies at 96
DEXTER, Mich. (UMNS) — As a young man, Bishop Jesse R. DeWitt worked in a plant that built Packard automobiles. He moved on to a long, fruitful United Methodist ministerial career, but never forgot the working class. DeWitt died Nov. 26, just nine days short of his 97th birthday. He had been under hospice care in Dexter, Michigan, near Ann Arbor. Sam Hodges reports.
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Faith petitions delivered at Paris summit
PARIS (WCC) — Petitions with nearly 1.8 million signatures gathered worldwide by faith groups were delivered to leaders of the United Nations COP21 climate conference beginning its work in Paris, reports Stephen Brown for the World Council of Churches. United Methodists are among the faith-based participants gathered in Paris for the climate summit.
Read WCC story
Watch United Methodist Board of Church and Society video
New Jersey church welcomes Syrian refugees
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (CBS) — Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church welcomed a Syrian refugee family of five, despite New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s opposition to accepting Syrian refugees in the state. Bishop John Schol said he was proud of the church. “While we are aware that our governor is opposed to welcoming Syrian refugees, we recognize it is our calling to welcome the immigrant and to share radical hospitality,” Schol said in an email to UMNS. Steve Langford reported the story for a CBS station.
View the CBS New York report
Pastor camps out to force church trial
MARQUETTE, Mich. (UMNS) — A Michigan pastor, under complaint for officiating at a same-sex wedding, said he plans to camp outside a district superintendent’s office until the complaint against him moves a step closer to a church trial. The Rev. Michael Tupper wants the Rev. Elbert P. Dulworth, the appointed counsel for the church in the case, to move the complaint to a committee on investigation. The Book of Discipline has no specific timeline for the work of a counsel, who acts as a sort of church prosecutor.
Read update
Churches working to recover from Typhoon Lando
BONGABON, Philippines (UMNS) — A month after Typhoon Lando, United Methodist churches are still reeling from the devastation caused by flooding. Two local churches are under rocks and mud. Gladys Mangiduyos reports on the recovery efforts.
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Commentary: Do you even know any Syrians?
AURORA, Ill. (UMNS) — An attorney for Justice for Our Neighbors has a question for the governors and members of the U.S. Congress who don’t want any more Syrian refugees in the U.S. “Do you even know any Syrians?” asks Jenny Ansay. As an attorney for the Northern Illinois chapter of the United Methodist Church immigration ministry, Ansay serves seven Syrian clients. “I can say, without reservation, that they are all exactly the kinds of people we want and need to have in the United States,” she said.
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Advent Quiz: Test your Latin knowledge
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Do you know the meaning of the Latin word “adventus”? The United Methodist Communications’ Advent quiz has a new question each day.
Take the daily quiz
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.
Tuesday, Dec. 1
#GivingTuesday — United Methodists have a variety of ways to contribute online to ministry. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry welcomes contributions to the scholarship funds it administers. United Methodist Communications welcomes contributions to communication and information technology for international development. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries welcomes donations online to such ministries as E-readers for theological education in Africa, Ebola prevention resources and the Wesley Pilgrimage. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries invites giving to missionaries and the denomination's Advance designated-giving projects. Global Ministries will allocate the matching funds dollar for dollar up to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects received online from midnight to 11:59 p.m. CST.
World AIDS Day — This observance provides an opportunity for people around the world to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Details about The United Methodist Church's "Just Save One" campaign.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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