Daily Digest - October 1, 2018

“It is the work of the Holy Spirit. I tell people I’m in a dance with the Holy Spirit and that is absolutely true. Miracles happen every day.”The Rev. Bill Jenkins, retired pastor of Christ Ministry Center.

 

NEWS AND FEATURES

Church finds new life as immigrant welcoming center

SAN DIEGO (UMNS) — Christ Ministry Center has offered shelter to more than 6,000 immigrants from around the world since 2016. The 25,000-square-foot church built in the 1950s was never intended to be an immigrant welcoming center — but the decision to use it that way has repeatedly proved to be a good one. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story, and Mike DuBose has the photos.
Read story

Florida Conference
Justice for Our Neighbors has hope in God

MIAMI — In some pockets of the United States, anti-immigration sentiment is on proud display. But Florida Justice for Our Neighbors, a United Methodist ministry, is serving the immigrant population with compassion, love and free legal expertise. “It’s been a discouraging, frustrating time, but, ultimately, our hope is in God,” said the Rev. Janet Horman, the ministry’s director. Kari C. Barlow reports.
Read story

World Council of Churches
Halting spread of HIV, TB in children

NEW YORK — United Methodists joined a Sept. 27 interfaith prayer breakfast to combat the spread of HIV and tuberculosis in children. "Today we want to be in mutual support of one another, to strengthen old relationships and to forge new ones so we can truly improve the health of the world's children and the world's teenagers," said United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, vice moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee. Gregg Brekke reports.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

Uniting Methodists
Unity group thanks African bishops

LEAWOOD, Kan. — Leaders of Uniting Methodists, an unofficial advocacy group arguing that differences over homosexuality should not be a dividing issue for The United Methodist Church, have offered thanks for what they see as a unity statement issued recently by the Africa College of Bishops.
Read press release
Read Africa College of Bishops statement
Read UMNS story on statement by African bishops


RESOURCES 

Great Plains Conference 
Chart compares 3 Way Forward plans 

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Great Plains Conference developed a chart that compares how the three plans developed by the Commission on a Way Forward would affect churches, clergy, annual conferences and other parts of the denomination. United Methodist News Service plans to regularly share resources developed around the connection for discussions. 
Get chart

Global Ministries
Applications open for Global Mission Fellows

ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is taking applications from young Christian adults who are interested in becoming Global Mission Fellows. Applicants must be ages 20 to 30 and commit to two years of service. Global Mission Fellows work to address the roots of injustice. Early-access deadline is Dec. 3.
See application

 

RECENT HEADLINES

Connecting with God in Zimbabwe’s mountains

Second United Methodist school in Hungary


EVENTS

Tuesday, Oct. 9-Friday, Oct. 12
2018 Conference of Christians Engaged in Faith Formation


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