Daily Digest - December 04, 2012

"They don't know what their loved one might say or do, and, of course, they don't want them to be embarrassed, so they just don't come." - Sue Miller of Rejoicing Spirits Ministry.

UMTV: Special needs service

LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (UMNS) - Developmentally delayed adults can live independently and have jobs, but sometimes attending a church service can be too uncomfortable for them and their caregivers. That inspired one congregation to create a service with a no-shush policy.
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Handicapable ministry serves special needs

LARGO, Fla. (UMNS) - "We have a purpose of being able to be the voice of God, and share with &ellipsis; special needs adults what salvation is about," said Horton Townes, director of the Handicapable Ministry, which has been a part of St. Paul United Methodist Church for more than a decade. "We've been able to position ourselves to take this and share it with the world." The ministry is open to anyone age 16 or older with cognitive or physical disabilities.
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Conferences push malaria goal past $26 million

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - As Imagine No Malaria advocacy days on Capitol Hill began Monday, Bishop Thomas Bickerton, chair of the Global Health Initiatives, told morning worshippers that the campaign is well on its way past the $26 million goal by Jan. 31, 2013, and moving toward surpassing $40 million by June 2013.
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Overlooking religion's role in achieving Congo peace

NEW YORK (UMNS) - Religion has been overlooked as a force for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, write Mande Muyombo, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, and Pamela D. Couture, a professor at Victoria University in the University of Toronto, in a Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions blog.
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Chicago pastor to run for Jackson's congressional seat

CHICAGO (UMNS) - A United Methodist pastor in Chicago has decided to run in the special election to fill Jesse L. Jackson Jr.'s seat in Congress. The Rev. Larry Pickens, pastor of Southlawn United Methodist Church, discussed his candidacy with his congregation Dec. 2 and told United Methodist News Service he would make a public announcement this week. The primary for the special election is set for Feb. 26.
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Dec. 4-5 webinar focuses on long-term disaster recovery

NEW YORK (UMNS) - Emergency-response specialists from Church World Service will present a webinar focused on long-term recovery basics Dec. 4-5. The free webinar, which begins at 2 p.m. EST each day, will include a special focus on issues arising from Hurricane Sandy.
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