Daily Digest - December 9, 2015

“I just thought, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’” — Brian Shetler on discovering what turned out to be a rare first edition of the King James Bible.

King James Bible first edition found at Drew

MADISON, N.J. (UMNS) — A graduate student has discovered a treasure in the collections of United Methodist-related Drew University: a first edition of the King James Bible. The 1611 Bible, which surfaced in late October, is a so-called “He Bible,” named for a typographical error in the Book of Ruth that was corrected in the middle of the first printing. Jennifer Schuessler of the New York Times has the story.
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Keeping the holiday season holy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Most of us strive to “keep Christ in Christmas,” but busyness has a way of encroaching upon our joy and worship. Joe Iovino writes about making time for important activities like worship and devotion while preparing for Christmas.
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When churches love schools

ALCOA, Tenn. (UMNS) — All over Holston Conference, churches are discovering that a practical way to reach out to local children in poverty is to develop partnerships with nearby schools. The conference’s Annette Spence offers 10 tips for great partnerships.
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Discipleship Ministries names interim associate leader

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Ken Sloane, director of stewardship and connectional ministries at Discipleship Ministries, will serve as interim associate general secretary beginning Jan. 1. Sloane will lead the agency’s Leadership Ministries, while a search is conducted to fill the position formerly held by the Rev. MaryJane Pierce Norton, who retired in October.
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Do you know this fact about Christmas?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — According to speculations by scholars, who actually were the Magi?
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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.

Monday, Dec. 21
Blue Christmas/Longest Night — Not everyone is up to feeling Christmas cheer. Many churches offer special services for people dealing with loss to coincide with the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers worship resources.

You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.