Daily Digest - December 02, 2013

"I don't follow Christ because Christians don't get sick. I don't follow Christ because Christians live longer. I follow Christ because I've seen the face of God in Christ as he cares for people." -The late Bishop Wayne K. Clymer in a sermon on his 90th birthday.

Bishop remembered as wise, compassionate leader

MINNEAPOLIS (UMNS) - "Over the years, his primary concern was not so much organization or institution, but compassion for people," said Harlyn Hagmann, a retired Minnesota pastor and a longtime friend of the late Bishop Wayne K. Clymer. The bishop passed away Monday, Nov. 25.
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Arrangements
Background information

'Tis the season &ellipsis; to think of alternative gifts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - It is that time of year when shopping seems to overwhelm everything. Tita Parham points out in Interpreter Magazine how many are turning to alternative gifts.
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Christmas shopping can benefit local churches

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - The United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration, in partnership with some of the largest online retailers, has built a shopping tool that provides a cash benefit for your church when you purchase through the UMCmarket - items you mightbe buying anyway. How does it work? Create an account at UMCMarket.org and designate the church of your choosing.
To sign up

UMC #GivingTuesday gifts have twice the impact

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Kick off the season of giving by making an online donation to mission through The Advance on #GivingTuesday, Dec. 3 and double the impact of your gift. On that date, online gifts to any project through The Advance, the designated giving channel of The United Methodist Church, will be matched 100 percent up to the first $500,000. Every gift to The Advance goes to the intended ministry; no administrative costs are taken from donations.
UMC #GivingTuesday

Help 'Just Save One' from HIV/AIDS on Giving Tuesday

NEW YORK (UMNS) - As a follow-up to the Dec. 1 observation of World AIDS Day, consider a donation to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, when contributions will be matched dollar for dollar. The fund's new initiative, "Just Save One," focuses on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Learn more about the Global AIDS
Contribute to Advance Special No. 982345

Gifts to help to feed the hungry

BIG ISLAND, Va. (UMNS) - The Society of St. Andrew offers ways to honor your family and friends while still helping to feed the hungry. Gifts donated on Tuesday, Dec. 3, will be matched dollar for dollar. Society of St. Andrew is a nonprofit ecumenical organization with the mission of introducing people to God's grace through meeting their hunger.
Giving Tuesday
Alternative Christmas Card

UMTV: Hunger-free ZIP code

KENSINGTON, Md. (UMNS) - Members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Kensington are making a bold promise to their neighbors: that no one in their area will go hungry, an effort they're calling a "hunger-free ZIP code."
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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.

Advent, Dec. 1-24 - Resources for Advent wreath lighting and sermons from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship and resources for drawing and welcoming visitors to Advent and Christmas services from United Methodist Communications. Ministry Matters, part of the United Methodist Publishing House, also offers the free Advent series "Follow the Star."

#GivingTuesday, Dec. 3 - United Methodists are invited to participate in #GivingTuesday, when every gift made online through the The Advance will be matched dollar for dollar up to $500,000 total and $50,000 for any one project. Visit umcmission.org/give

Lecture by former ambassador, Tuesday, Dec.3 - 5 p.m. CT, Miguel H. D