"This is the only safe place I got to come to and if it wasn’t for this place, I’d probably be dead." — William Roberts on Shades of Grace United Methodist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Open doors for the homeless
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (UMTV) — More than half the people who worship at Shades of Grace United Methodist Church are homeless. The Rev. Will Shewey, pastor, said the storefront ministry church tries in every sense of the word to honor the denomination’s slogan “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”
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Filipino United Methodists learn about `bright spots’
MANILA, Philippines (UMNS) — Churches should be focusing on “bright spots,” two U.S. bishops told Filipino United Methodists during a workshop in Manila about using the concept to establish vital congregations. Filipino United Methodists are the first outside the U.S. to use the “bright spots” approach. S. J. Earl Canlas reports.
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Relief efforts resuming in Texas
SAN ANTONIO (UMNS) — Another round of flooding in Texas has United Methodists gearing up for more relief work. The Rio Texas Conference is focusing on a handful of areas, including the Rio Grande Valley. The Central Texas Conference will help hard-hit Navarro County and get support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
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Read Central Texas Conference report
Still hope after Sandy in New Jersey
TUCKERTON, N.J. (UMNS) — A third-anniversary event allowed people in New Jersey to celebrate recovery from Superstorm Sandy while acknowledging the work yet to do. A Future with Hope, the Sandy recovery arm of the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey, has helped by rebuilding 183 homes with more than 10,000 volunteers. Jeff Wolfe reports for the conference.
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Message about Sandy recovery from Bishop Schol
Order resources for Student Day, Nov. 29
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists celebrate Student Day on Nov. 29, 2015. The special offering provides scholarships for United Methodist students attending undergraduate and graduate colleges and universities.
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Follow United Methodist news on Facebook and Twitter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Want to follow United Methodist Church developments as the 2016 General Conference approaches? You can find the latest news on UMNS Facebook page and Twitter feed.
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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 newsdesk@umcom.org and put Digest in the subject line.
Thursday, Nov. 5
Webinar "Basics for Christian Education" — 7 to 8 p.m. EST. This webinar for new or experienced Sunday school superintendents and Christian education directors provides an overview of the basics of the ministry. The webinar covers staffing, classroom setup and management, the registration process, safety procedures and how to adapt curriculum. Details.
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8
EXPLORATION — Orlando, Florida. — This is a three-day event for young adults ages 18-26 to hear, discern and respond to God’s call to ordained ministry and to explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church. Exploration is a program of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.