"We were overwhelmed by this giving that went far beyond our dreams. The people called Methodists once again have exceeded themselves in love and solidarity." - Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Missions on #GivingTuesday.
#GivingTuesday sets record for missions
NEW YORK (UMNS) - Thanks to the generosity of United Methodists around the world, the first-ever UMC #GivingTuesday on Dec. 3 generated a record $6.5 million over a 24-hour online giving period. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, which matched the first $500,000 received, reported that nearly 11,000 donors in 34 countries gave more than 16,300 gifts through The Advance to mission and ministries. The agency's previous one-day online giving record was $492,882 set on Jan. 14, 2010, shortly after the Haiti earthquake. A final accounting of the distribution of gifts this week will be available by Dec. 16, the mission agency said.
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L.A. Times story on Giving Tuesday
With Global Fund, church fights malaria
WASHINGTON (UMNS) - With The United Methodist Church nearing its fundraising goal in the fight against malaria, the denomination on Dec. 3 committed to fulfilling its $28 million pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "Our pledge was equal to and even surpassed the pledges from smaller countries across the world," said Pittsburgh Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton.
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Ministry with Poor fosters friendships, ideas
DALLAS (UMNS) - By the end of the Ministry with the Poor Roundtable in Dallas last month, friendships had formed and ideas had been exchanged. A tone that began on a blue note had shifted to what might be called defiant optimism.
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Letter from Philippines: Communications vital
TACLOBAN, Philippines (UMNS) - "Relief operations are not limited to food, water and shelter. ...A stable communications system that will work even when all else fails is a real need in the church, especially during and after every disaster," writes April Grace G. Mercado, a United Methodist Communications field representative in the Philippines and part of a team that has been on the ground in the storm-ravaged islands assessing how to help reconnect the nation's communications.
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Thank you from a homeless person
SALINAS, Calif. (UMNS) - "It was truly amazing and I have not felt so loved, as if I were part of a family who loves and cares about me, in so long I can't remember. I cried that night," wrote a homeless person who got a Thanksgiving meal fromFirst United Methodist Church here. The Californian.com published the thank you from someone who calls the street home.
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Have questions about Advent?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Advent is the season when we prepare ourselves to receive God's gift of Jesus. It is a time of "getting ready" for the celebration of Christmas. The United Methodist Church offers a wealth of resources for the season.
Advent home worship
Advent devotions
Advent and Christmas
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