Daily Digest - December 20, 2012

"My hope is that, a year from now, when it's coming up to the anniversary, and we need people of faith to come and remember and witness, that people will be here too&ellipsis;not just as it was, today, with a full sanctuary, but rather, an ongoing presence in prayer." - The Rev. Mel Kawakami, pastor of Newtown United Methodist Church.

Newtown pastor sees pain as path to healing

NEWTOWN, Conn. (UMNS) - After the second worship service Dec. 16, the Rev. Mel Kawakami, senior pastor of Newtown United Methodist Church, shared his thoughts about the tragedy that had befallen his community and his congregation and about the church's role ahead.
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Council votes on Bledsoe assignment

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The United Methodist Council of Bishops has voted to assign Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe to the Northwest Texas/New Mexico Episcopal Area effective Jan. 1, 2013.
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Juan assigned as bishop of Manila Area

BAYOMBONG, Philippines (UMNS) - Bishop Rodolfo Juan, who has been re-elected bishop, will lead the Manila Area of the Philippines Central Conference. His new episcopal area has faced its share of controversy in recent years.
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Torio assigned as bishop of Baguio Area

BAYOMBONG, Philippines (UMNS) - The Rev. Pedro M. Torio Jr. of Binalonan, Pangasinan Province, Philippines, was elected as a United Methodist bishop and has been assigned to the Baguio Area in the Philippines. "My prayer is to expand the voices of the downtrodden United Methodists in the Baguio area," he said.
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Francisco assigned as bishop of Davao Area

BAYOMBONG, Philippines (UMNS) - The Rev. Ciriaco Q. Francisco of Manila has been elected as a United Methodist bishop and assigned to serve the Davao Episcopal Area, which encompasses five annual and provisional (regional) conferences in western and southern regions of the Philippines. "My dream is to make Davao Episcopal Area a model episcopal area in its financial resources and wring out from its lay and clergy ranks passion to make disciples of Jesus Christ that transform lives and transform communities," Francisco said.
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United Methodists call for 'moral budget'

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - Bishop Robert Hoshibata, president of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, and Jim Winkler, top executive, wrote a letter Dec. 18 to President Obama and members of Congress, urging that their negotiations on the so-called "fiscal cliff" include a vision for a moral budget and economy. The social justice agency also issued A Faithful Alternative to the Fiscal Cliff, urging United Methodists to contact their members of Congress in support a moral budget.

Pastor authors book on universalism

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) - The Rev. Heath Bradley, pastor of preaching and Christian education at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, has published a book on the concept of Christian universalism with Wipe and Stock Publishers. The book is titled "Flames of Love: Hell and Universal Salvation."
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Clarification

In a tribute to U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, a United Methodist, the Rev. Cynthia Abrams intended to say, "his impact cannot be overstated." She was quoted in a Dec. 18 UMNS story, "United Methodists honor Inouye's service."
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