Daily Digest - November 24, 2015

“We can all call for reason and restraint that will force leaders to promote our security without violating civil rights.” — Retired Bishop Roy I. Sano, who underwent the U.S. internment.

2015 report: Women lag far behind men in media coverage

UNITED NATIONS (UMNS) — Women make up half the world’s population, but one would not know that based on the lack of women’s voices in the media. Representatives of United Methodist Women, the World Association for Christian Communication and UN Women were part of the Nov. 23 launch of the Global Media Monitoring Project’s 2015 report. Linda Bloom has the story.
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Amid hysteria, a call for hospitality

OAKLAND, Calif. (UMNS) — Retired Bishop Roy I. Sano says United Methodists can be the voice of reason to counter the fearful rhetoric against Syrian refugees. He personally can attest to the costs of such fear as one of the 110,000 Japanese Americans interred by the U.S. government during World War II.
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United Methodists join open letter on refugees

HOUSTON (UMNS) — Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the Texas Conference and the Rev. Tommy Williams of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church here have joined other Christian leaders to welcome Syrian refugees. The challenge of human migration “will not go away and, in fact, is an opportunity for our communities to show our moral courage in the face of fear,” says the letter published in the Houston Chronicle.
Read letter
Visit #HuddledMassesWelcome website
 

Ebola resurfaces in Liberia

MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — Three new cases of Ebola have been confirmed in Liberia after the West African nation was twice declared Ebola-free, according to Ministry of Health authorities. Julu Swen has the story.
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Sally Geis, social justice advocate, dies at 87

DENVER (UMNS) — Sally Brown Geis, a well-known advocate for social justice and equality, died Nov. 16 at age 87. Geis, a committed lay member, served The United Methodist Church in various capacities including as a member of the Judicial Council, the church's highest court. Charmaine Robledo of the Mountain Sky Area writes about Geis’ contributions.
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A musical gift from Native American communities

NEW YORK (UMNS) — “Singing the Sacred: Musical Gifts from Native American Communities” includes Native American Christian music from the diversity of the people called “Native American.” The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries offers the new songbook and accompanying CD with 21 songs and hymns.
See resource
 

Let us give thanks: A photo prayer

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS) — While November marks a celebration of thanksgiving in the U.S., finding time to thank God is part of Christians’ daily discipline. This video meditation features a shortened version of a prayer of thanksgiving by the Rev. Linda McDermott of First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth.
Watch video meditation
 

Editor’s note: The Daily Digest will return Monday, Nov. 30. United Methodist News Service wishes our readers a blessed Thanksgiving and first Sunday of Advent.

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.

Sunday, Nov. 29 to Thursday, Dec. 24
Resources for Advent

• One stop for United Methodist Advent resources includes devotions, sermon starters and books from Cokesbury, Upper Room, Discipleship Ministries, Rethink Church and Imagine No Malaria.
• United Methodist Communications offers a way to take Advent to Facebook and other social media with free downloadable images to celebrate each Sunday of the season.
• Advent quiz starts Nov. 27.

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 gifts to communication and information technology for international development.
• The United Methodist Discipleship Ministries welcomes donations to E-readers for theological education in Africa, Ebola prevention resources and the Wesley Pilgrimage.
• The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries welcomes giving to missionaries and the denomination's Advance designated-giving projects. Global Ministries will allocate matching funds up to the first $1 million in gifts to Advance projects received online from midnight to 11:59 p.m. CST.

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