Daily Digest - February 12, 2013

"There really is no way to assess the dollar value of the building. It would take $1.5 million to put it back with all the code updates. It was insured for $900,000, but insurance only paid $500,000." - The Rev. Blake A. Lasater, Living Waters at Centerton (Ark.), a United Methodist Congregation.

Church fires challenge United Methodists

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - During the past nine months, fire destroyed or damaged more than a dozen United Methodist church properties across the United States. Arson was the cause of at least five fires. The insured property value ranged from $10,000 to $3.3 million, but several churches lacked adequate insurance to cover full replacement costs. In a four-part series on the damage from those fires, United Methodist News Service reports on how people responded to the affected congregations and what churches can do to protect themselves.
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Opportunities to buy fair trade

DECATUR, Ga. (UMNS) - Every January, people resolve to do better in the new year: Eat right, exercise more, save for retirement. But there's one other resolution United Methodists and their congregations can add to that list - buy fair trade. Interpreter OnLine tells how Oakhurst United Methodist Church already does and plans to do more.
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Pope Benedict XVI announces resignation

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of February, becoming the first pope to resign in nearly 600 years, the Catholic News Service reports. Representatives of the World Council of Churchesand British Methodist Church were among those expressing appreciation for his ministry.
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What happens next at The Vatican

Mississippi tornado hits homes, churches

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (UMNS) - At least 300 homes, including 250 in Hattiesburg, were uninhabitable after a tornado swept through Mississippi Feb. 10, reported the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, U.S. disaster response coordinator for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Hazelwood spoke with the Rev. Wayne Napier, disaster response coordinator for the denomination's Mississippi Annual (regional) Conference, who indicated at least three United Methodist churches in Hattiesburg sustained damage. "They're really concerned about flooding," Hazelwood said. "The real damage to homes is probably going to be flooding."
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Warning: Always burn palms outdoors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - If your church decides to burn palms in preparation of the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, be sure to do so outdoors. Some palm varieties can be toxic if burned indoors.

Horse program helps prison chaplains

LAKEMONT, Ga. (UMNS) - Horses played an important part in the history of The United Methodist Church. They carried Francis Asbury, the founding bishop of Methodism in America, more than 270,000 miles as he rode the circuits, preaching more than 16,000 sermons. Now, horses are helping train United Methodist prison chaplains.
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Albright, Saint Joseph's U. sign agreement

READING, Pa. (UMNS) - United Methodist-related Albright College and Saint Joseph's University, a Jesuit school, have finalized an agreement that offers Albright graduates streamlined admission to select Saint Joseph's master's programs.
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Paine College on National Registry of Historic Places

AUGUSTA, Ga. (UMNS) - United Methodist-related Paine College has been given the designation as an historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places is the country's official list of historic buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts worthy of preservation.
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