"If the West Africa Central Conference throws the divorce legislation off the conference floor, whoever gets nominated … will be part of the candidates for the office of bishop." — Interim Bishop Arthur Kulah on the Liberia Conference ban on divorced bishops.
Liberia ban on divorced bishops could be tested
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — The firm intention of Liberian United Methodists not to have a bishop who has been divorced could be tested at the West Africa Central Conference, set to meet in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Dec. 14-18. Julu Swen reports.
Federal judge blocks U.S. overtime rule
TYLER, Texas (UMNS) — A U.S. federal judge on Nov. 22 put on hold a new rule making millions more Americans, including church workers, eligible for overtime pay. The move indefinitely pushes back the Dec. 1 effective date while the judge weighs a challenge to the requirement.
Read USA Today story on ruling
Read Missouri Conference story on church impact
Commentary: Church's historic divide over homosexuality
DALLAS — Conflict over homosexuality has become a large, threatening reality in American church life, writes the Rev. William Lawrence in a Dallas Morning News commentary. Lawrence, professor of American church history and former dean at United Methodist Perkins School of Theology, as well as former president of the denomination’s Judicial Council, draws on North Texas for examples.
WCC report focuses on Iraqi, Syrian refugees
OSLO, Norway (WCC) — The removal of the group calling itself Islamic State will not alone secure the return of displaced minority communities or their longer-term well-being in Iraq or Syria, a new report has found. Released on Nov. 28 by the World Council of Churches and Norwegian Church Aid, the report was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Huts for homeless built at church
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — First United Methodist Church in Santa Rosa is providing space to a retired man as he builds huts for the homeless. Kevin McCallum of Press Democrat of Santa Rosa reports.
Bergquist appointed Ordained Ministry executive
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The Rev. Greg Bergquist, superintendent for leadership development for the California-Nevada Conference, has been appointed associate general secretary for the Division of Ordained Ministry at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. His new role begins January 2017.
Test your Advent knowledge
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — As United Methodists anticipate celebrating Christ’s birth, UMC.org offers a quiz testing your knowledge of the season. Do you know why Advent wreaths are shaped in a circle? A new question is posted five days a week.
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, Nov. 29
Giving Tuesday — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is asking United Methodists once again to support the mission and relief projects supported by The Advance, the denomination’s designated giving program. Details
Thursday, Dec. 1
World AIDS Day — The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund invites people to participate in the Just Save One initiative, which aims to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV through an international grant-making process. To donate
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