NEWS AND FEATURES
3 bishops, including first woman, elected in Philippines
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Delegates of The United Methodist Church’s Philippines Central Conference elected three bishops during their Nov. 24-26 meeting, including the first female bishop. The Rev. Ruby-Nell Estrella, conference treasurer, said she was “truly humbled and thankful to God for this historic election.” The Rev. Rodel M. Acdal, president of John Wesley College, and the Rev. Israel Painit, country director of mission in Southeast Asia, also were elected. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Rodel M. Acdal
Ruby-Nell Estrella
Israel Painit
See all of UM News' 2022 episcopal election coverage
Greater Northwest Area
United Methodists give big to wildfire recovery
OKANAGAN, Wash. — With a new grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, United Methodists have placed more than half a million dollars into rebuilding communities in north central Washington devastated by 2020 wildfires. They’re doing it at a record pace as well. Kristen Caldwell reports.
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Great Plains Conference
New bishop's haircut says '#BeUMC'
TOPEKA, Kan. — Bishop Dee Williamston and the Rev. Jeff Clinger followed through on their promise to get special haircuts if she was elected to the episcopacy. A skillful barber has them sporting “#BeUMC” in their respective scalps. David Burke reports.
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UM News: Williamston elected South Central's first Black female Bishop
ResourceUMC
Training spurs advances in church communications
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — After a pandemic-driven hiatus, United Methodist Communications relaunched global communications training initiatives in African nations and the Philippines to support ministries through education and empowerment. Brenda Smotherman has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Read and reflect on true Christmas message
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — John the Baptist and angels take center stage in new books available for United Methodists to read throughout Advent in preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth. Whether you choose to leisurely read a book as part of your personal study or join a Sunday school class or other small group, Crystal Caviness encourages taking time during the holy season to reflect on the true Christmas message.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.
Creating a Culture of Renewal
Why churches should hang Christmas lights
CASPER, Wyo. — Most people may never see the greens, Christmas trees and Advent wreaths that brighten church sanctuaries this time of year. The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter offers three reasons why a church should decorate its building exterior with Christmas lights.
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RESOURCES
Church and Society
Event to advocate Congress to fight child poverty
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society’s next Wednesday Witness event, focusing on child poverty, will be at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Nov. 30 on the agency’s YouTube channel. The Rev. Laura Kigweba James, Church and Society’s director of Grassroots Organizing, and the Rev. Alisha Gordon, executive director of The Current Project, will discuss the real-life impact of the Child Tax Credit and plans to advocate Congress to extend it.
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