“Women suffered much during these 20 years of war.” — Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, United Methodist East Congo Conference.
Congo churches help survivors of rape
GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS) — Rape happens in every country and corner in the world, but it is particularly perverse and rabid in eastern Congo. The United Nations has called the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo the most dangerous place on earth for women. Many women find help from their pastors and churches such as Office United Methodist Church. Kathy L. Gilbert and Mike DuBose have the story and photos in the first installment of their reports on the church’s newest episcopal area. Watch for more stories in January.
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How thick is the stained-glass ceiling?
DURHAM, N.C. (UMNS) — A woman’s place can be behind the wheel of racecars, at the front of corporate boardrooms and along the U.S. presidential campaign trail. But, for many U.S. congregations, a woman still has no place in the pulpit. That’s the finding of a new analysis of Duke University’s National Congregations Study, which shows women leading only 11 percent of U.S. faith communities. Heather Hahn reports.
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Filipino church leaders call for end to HIV stigma
CABANATUAN, Philippines (UMNS) — The Philippines United Methodist Church lit candles on World AIDS Day to signify an outcry and commitment to end the stigma of HIV and AIDS. Gladys Mangiduyos and S.J. Earl Canlas report.
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Bishop blesses home rebuilt after Sandy
LITTLE EGG HARBOR, N.J. (UMNS) — Greater New Jersey Bishop John Schol blessed the home of Mary and Jim Murphy in a celebration held by A Future With Hope and the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group. Schol and the Greater New Jersey cabinet and connectional ministries team spent a week working on the home, which was flooded after Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Carolyn Conover has the story for the conference.
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Correction: Café Offers Refugees Respite and Welcome
MESSSTETTEN, Germany (UMNS) — The photographer for this story from the United Methodist Committee on Relief was misidentified in the Dec. 10 UMNS Daily Digest. Klaus Ulrich Ruof was the photographer.
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How well do you know Christmas?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Fruitcake has been a Christmas tradition in many homes for a long time. Many writers have mentioned fruitcake in their work during the holiday season. In which historical period(s) did those writers mention fruitcakes?
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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.
Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20
Day1 features the Rev. Michael Brown, senior minister of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City — Brown, a North Carolina native who has served several United Methodist churches, is the featured preacher with host Peter Wallace, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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