Daily Digest - December 07, 2012

"I thank you for your ministry. You are making a difference." - Rose Farhat, speaking to Imagine No Malaria advocates.

Having malaria means waiting and waiting

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - It's the long waits that Rose Farhat remembers most about the times she contracted malaria as a child growing up in Liberia. She spoke to more than 100 advocates for the United Methodist initiative Imagine No Malaria on Dec. 4. Liberia is a poor country, she said, and a mother dreams that her child will do better than she has done. "So thank you for making my mother's dream come true," she said.
Read story

Pastor brings youthful exuberance to God's call

NATCHEZ, Miss. (UMNS) - It only took members of Grace United Methodist Church a week or two to stop joking that their new pastor, the Rev. Nance Hixon, looked like he could be their grandson, reports the Natchez Democrat. The Duke Divinity School graduate already is working with his congregation to make a difference in this small Mississippi town. He told the Natchez Democrat that he wants to help people see that Christianity "is really a beautiful thing and powerful."

Remembering Pearl Harbor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - United Methodists and others in the United States will fly their flags at half-staff and in some cases, hold services, in remembrance of the 1941 attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. United Methodist Church of New Lenox (Ill.) will hold a "Pray for our Nation" service.

Garrett-Evangelical professorship receives grant

EVANSTON, Ill. (UMNS) - United Methodistrelated Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has just received an additional $225,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation for the continued support of a professorship in global Christianity and world religions. Hendrik Pieterse, who has served on the Garrett-Evangelical faculty since 2010, will continue in his position as associate professor of global Christianity and world religions.
Read news release

Witnessing true fellowship

FRIEND, Neb. (UMNS) - Stephanie Hyland writes in the Friend Sentinel about the true fellowship she saw among church and community members after a fire destroyed Friend United Methodist Church.
Read commentary

Preparing for Christ's birth

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Looking for a memorable way to prepare for Christ's birth? The United Methodist Board of Discipleship offers Advent worship resources for families to use at home as they light the Advent candles each Sunday and pray each day of this anticipatory season.
See resources