Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Daily Digest - November 30, 2023

“We step away from the demands of the day to give thanks for the life of your child Rosalynn Carter.”The Rev. Mark Westmoreland, pastor of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, which hosted a service of tribute to the former first lady.

NEWS AND FEATURES

North Georgia Conference
Church honored to host first lady’s service
ATLANTA — Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the campus of Emory University had the honor of holding the Nov. 28 service of tribute to Rosalynn Carter, former first lady of the United States. Her husband, President Jimmy Carter, sat in the first row of the sanctuary. The Rev. Mark Westmoreland, the church’s pastor, gave the invocation at the nationally televised service. The Carters had a strong relationship with United Methodists over the years. Sybil Davidson has the story. 
Read story  

United Methodist Communications
Unsung Heroes of Methodism: Barbara Heck
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The story of Barbara Heck, “The Mother of American Methodism,” is more than the tale of her angry response to finding her husband and other men playing cards and insisting that they form a new Methodist society instead. The Unsung Heroes of Methodism series tells the stories of lesser-known figures whose lives and witness still impact The United Methodist Church today. Philip J. Brooks has Heck’s story.
Read story 

South Carolina Conference
Clothes closet keeps community cozy
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — Shoppers giggle and admire each other’s choices. But this is no regular shop. It’s the Stallsville Clothes Closet, a monthly ministry in the fellowship hall at Stallsville United Methodist Church. At the clothes closet, everything is free, everybody is welcome and the volunteers strive to make everyone a regular. Jessica Brodie reports.
Read story  

Kentucky Conference
Latino ministry finds home in Kentucky church
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — When the Rev. Daniel Whittaker and his Global Latin Ministry had reached the point that they needed to find a church to continue to grow, the Holy Spirit led them to Fern Creek United Methodist Church. Fern Creek’s Global Latin Service launched earlier this month and drew 125 people its first Sunday. Alan Wild has the story. 
Read story 

Clarification: UM News is rerunning the item below from the Nov. 29 Daily Digest to clarify that the 73,000 figure is in reference to beneficiaries from one grant, not the total figure of people UMCOR has reached in Ukraine.

Global Ministries
UMCOR support continues in Ukraine
ATLANTA — Support from a recent United Methodist Committee on Relief grant to partner organization International Orthodox Christian Charities has reached an estimated 73,000 people in Ukraine. Those displaced by the war there have received food, water, shelter and emergency supplies. UMCOR also has provided a grant to the Mines Advisory Group to find, remove and destroy landmines. Christie R. House reports. 
Read story 

PRESS RELEASES

Hollywood United Methodist Church 
Church marks 30 years of red ribbons
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — This year marks the 30-year anniversary of the red AIDS ribbons on the tower of Hollywood United Methodist Church. On Dec. 3, World AIDS Sunday, the church will premiere the 15-minute documentary “Red Ribbons of Love” during its 11 a.m. worship service. Guests will include California-Pacific Conference Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, district superintendent the Rev. Siosaia Tu’itahi and producer, activist and actress Pauley Perrette.
Read press release 
 
RESOURCES

Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta
Retired bishop to be featured on ‘Day 1’
ATLANTA — Retired Bishop William H. Willimon will appear on the “Day 1” radio program on Dec. 10. Willimon, bishop of the North Alabama Conference from 2004 to 2012, is professor of the practice of Christian ministry at Duke Divinity School. He will speak about “Good News: God Is Coming to You” and be interviewed by the Rev. Dalton Rushing. The program will be available on the “Day 1” website.
Read press release 
Visit “Day 1” website 

RECENT HEADLINES

Zimbabwean, US partners unite to build new sanctuary

Ask The UMC: Regionalization requires effective communication

EVENTS

Tuesday, Dec. 5
Voices from the Field: Home Missioners in Ministry

Monday, Jan. 8-Sunday, Jan. 21
Online course: Preaching on Fractured Ground

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

UM News Digest - May 7, 2025

Bishops work to put new vision into action; Church ‘gives sight’ to 250 in Guatemala; Helping Native American groups honor a hero

UM News Digest - May 5, 2025

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling; ‘World shifted’ with full inclusion; Banner gifted to Korean Methodists

UM News Digest - May 2, 2025

Conference moves toward fossil-fuel divestment; What’s new in the Discipline churchwide?; Oregon-Idaho’s first Tongan church chartered

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved