Daily Digest - October 2, 2024

“Our focus really right now is getting just the basic necessities to people, and focusing on some cleaning as we can. But it’s more about the food, water, diapers, formula — that sort of thing is where we are right now.” — Brian Mateer, Western North Carolina Conference disaster response coordinator.

United Methodists offer relief after Helene
BOONE, N.C. (UM News) — United Methodists in the southeastern U.S. are doing their best to raise morale and get organized after many communities there have been hard hit by flooding from Hurricane Helene. “It’s pretty devastating,” said Brian Mateer, disaster response coordinator for the Western North Carolina Conference. “What’s complicating matters is there’s no access in and out of some of these places, no roads.” Jim Patterson reports.
Read story 

Holston, Florida and South Georgia conferences
Long recovery begins in Southeast
ALCOA, Tenn. — In the mountainous Holston Conference, rescuers and survivors are beginning the long recovery following Helene’s catastrophic floods. The conference’s flood relief fund already has received more than $36,000 through an online giving link. Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin has a video of his visit to Cedar Key United Methodist Church, which is now recovering after multiple hurricanes. In Georgia, United Methodists have helped to clear roads and are organizing resources for the work ahead.  
Read Holston Conference story 
Read Holston Conference update  
Watch Bishop Berlin’s video
Read South Georgia Conference story  

NEWS AND FEATURES

Minnesota Conference
Disability Action Team makes strides
MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church has held onto a COVID-19 change so disabled people can remain closer in community with other church members. The church’s Disability Action Team successfully lobbied for the virtual component of church services and other activities to be continued. Team members are seeking input from other United Methodist churches that are finding creative ways to include people with disabilities, and to share their knowledge and ideas more broadly. Christa Meland has the story.
Read story 

Pacific Northwest Conference
Church helps families dealing with dementia
SEQUIM, Wash. — Trinity United Methodist Church started Tim’s Place to provide support for individuals with memory loss and time for their caregivers to recharge. The ministry was “a dream to help overwhelmed caregivers have some respite from their daily duties,” said program director Rhonda Heyn. Patrick Scriven has the story.
Read story  

PRESS RELEASES

Church and Society
Online 2024 grant award process opens
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is accepting applications for the 2024 grant funding cycle. Grants are awarded to United Methodist congregations and groups related to The United Methodist Church through Peace with Justice programs, the Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day. The deadline to submit grant applications is Oct. 31.
Read press release
Apply for grant 

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.

Greater New Jersey Conference
What is your heart’s delight?
NEPTUNE, N.J. — The Rev. Kate Monahan says it’s more important than ever to cultivate a spirit of playfulness in our ministry. “What could emerge if we created ministries — not out of desperation and fear,” she writes, “but because they excited us and we loved doing them?”
Read commentary 

RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications
Helping kids celebrate World Communion Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every year on the first Sunday in October — Oct. 6 this year — thousands of Christians from many different denominations gather across the world to celebrate World Communion Sunday. Celebrating and recognizing this special day presents an opportunity to help children appreciate their unity as Christians. Glenys Nellist offers ideas for including children in this special day.
View resource 

Western Methodist Justice Movement
Webinar planned on constitutional amendments
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Western Methodist Justice Movement, a United Methodist group based in the Western Jurisdiction, will hold a webinar on helping people understand the voting process and who can vote on amendments to the United Methodist constitution. The webinar is set for 5:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific time Oct. 16. The gathering will include speakers from United Methodist agencies and central conferences. 
Learn more 
Register  

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