"I lack words to express my thanks to the gift of The United Methodist Church. Do not tire of praying for us." — Masika Sifa, a resident of Beni who lost her husband and two children in the attack earlier this year.
Aid delivered to survivors of East Congo attack
BENI, Democratic Republic of East Congo (UMNS) — Food and essentials for daily life were delivered to 100 families brutally attacked by the Allied Democratic Forces. Funds for the supplies came from the United Methodist Committee on Relief as well as the United Methodist Eastern Congo Conference and the Methodist Church of Switzerland. Judith Osongo Yanga and Kathy L. Gilbert report.
Got a question? Ask the UMC
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — Ever wonder whether The United Methodist Church has an official Bible? Curious about the church’s global structure or certain phrases said each Sunday during service? Find answers to these questions and more with “Ask the UMC,” a new UMC.org feature inviting readers to submit questions about the denomination.
Explore Ask the UMC
Bishop Colaw remembered as caring leader
CINCINNATI (UMNS) — Bishop Emerson S. Colaw, who led the Minnesota Conference, died Oct. 11 at age 94 in Ohio, where he lived during the final years of his life. He is remembered as a strong preacher and a compassionate leader who loved the church and had a heart for clergy. Christa Meland offers this obituary.
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Ten Commandments of food
GENEVA (WCC) — The Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, top executive of the World Council of Churches, is sharing the “Ten Commandments of Food” during the Churches’ Week of Action on Food, Oct. 9-16, to show how food choices can become a catalyst for positive change.
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Interpreting a silent Bible
EDMONDS, Wash. (UMNS) — Members of Edmonds United Methodist Church learned that only 1 percent of deaf children in the United States end up attending church as adults. The church now holds an interpreter worship service each Sunday. Jessica Pair writes for the Pacific Northwest Conference about why this ministry is an important part of being welcoming.
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Christmas greetings for prisoners
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (UMNS) — The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Team is again collecting and distributing Christmas cards for thousands of prison inmates who might have otherwise felt alone and forgotten at Christmastime. Last year, more than 5,000 greetings with handwritten notes were sent to inmates in six correctional facilities in Pennsylvania. John Coleman reports on this project for the conference.
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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.
Thursday, Oct. 20
Webinar “Alternative Sunday School Series: It Takes a Village” — 7 to 8 p.m. As the African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise child.” This webinar explores “The Village” community Christian education concept, which empowers families to take Christian education into their homes. Details
Saturday, Oct. 22 to Monday, Oct. 24
“The All People Conference: Welcoming the Stranger” — This event for leaders who wish to foster racially and economically diverse congregations will be at Church for All People/Community Development for All People, a United Methodist ministry at 946 Parsons Avenue; Columbus, Ohio. Speakers include Bishops Minerva Carcaño and Gregory V. Palmer. $245. Details
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