"When all things are falling down you have the opportunity to be incredibly creative." — The Rev. Melanie Lee Carey, superintendent of the Detroit Renaissance District.
Bishops find urban ministry ideas in Detroit
DETROIT (UMNS) — Michigan Area Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey recently invited a group of U.S. bishops to talk about new life in the church and visit entrepreneurial ministries in Detroit. The bishops found congregations that thrive while reaching those most in need. Mark Doyal, communications director for the Michigan Area, reports.
Commentary: Bringing the gospel’s light to HIV in Africa
KIGALI, Rwanda (UMNS) — No one living with HIV was willing to speak at the AIDS workshop for United Methodist pastors because of stigma and discrimination against those with the disease. The Rev. Donald E. Messer, co-chair of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, writes about an infected woman who did tell her story privately and how the church was able to help.
Dealing as a church with HIV
GENEVA (UMNS) — The Rev. Godson Lawson, a pastor in the Methodist Church in Togo and an activist working on issues of HIV and AIDS since 1994, says the disease is a “multi-layered social issue” that churches in West Africa should not ignore. Lawson serves as vice-chair of the international reference group of the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa of the World Council of Churches.
More information on Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa
FCC should turn on mobile phone radio chips
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — After Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, radio was the most reliable means of communication, often received on mobile phones. Radio could effectively transmit emergency communications in the U.S., too, except that many providers disable the chips that allow mobile phones to receive FM radio signals over the air. United Methodist Communication’s top executive, the Rev. Larry Hollon, has written the Federal Communications Commission saying that turning the chips on should be mandated.
UMTV: Have a fair-trade Halloween
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Americans eat 90 million pounds of chocolate on Halloween and reports of child labor on cocoa farms have led to a movement toward fair-trade chocolate. The United Methodist Committee on Relief suggests how churches and individuals can embrace fair trade and educate neighbors about where cocoa comes from in this video first posted on Oct. 29, 2008.
Order Rethink Church Advent resources by Nov. 1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Rethink Church shares a free video about making Christmas less complicated by focusing on helping others and sharing the greatest gift of all. New Advent resources, including sermon starters, bulletin covers, invitation cards and door hangers are available, too. For delivery by Thanksgiving, order by Nov. 1. For a limited time, door hangers will be printed with your church information.
Order resources and view video
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.
Sunday, Oct. 19
Laity Sunday — The United Methodist Board of Discipleship has worship resources.
Monday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 31
“Living into the Answers: A Workshop on Personal Spiritual Discernment" — Online course from Upper Room. This workshop provides students with the opportunity to explore the process of discernment in an online setting. Details.
You can see more educational opportunities and other upcoming events in the life of the church here.
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