Daily Digest - November 09, 2012

"In just over a week amazing ministry is being done to bring relief to communities following Superstorm Sandy. &ellipsis; but I do not want to underestimate what is ahead of us." - Greater New Jersey Area Bishop John Schol.

United Methodist ads provide hope for Sandy survivors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - In the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, United Methodist Communications is spreading a message of hope from The United Methodist Church to those living in affected areas with national and regional advertising. Additionally, the ad provides information about how others can donate to be a part of the rebuilding efforts through the United Methodist Committee on Relief. A full-page color ad appeared Nov. 8 in USA Today nationwide and will appear today, Nov. 9 in in the New York Times andNew Jersey publications.

To view the ad, get special relief-related bulletin inserts and find a shareable Facebook image, visit this website. For complete Sandy coverage, go to www.umc.org/Sandy.
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N.J. bishop describes 'disaster'

OCEAN, N.J. (UMNS) - In a message to the Greater New Jersey Annual (regional) Conference, Bishop John Schol told members that he has "traveled to most of the communities that have been significantly impacted and there is only one word to describe what I have seen, it is a DISASTER. Words cannot describe the devastation, chaos and the deep emotional impact Superstorm Sandy is having on many people."
Read Bishop Schol's message

More cleaning supplies needed

NEW YORK (UMNS) - More help is needed with cleaning supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. "Cleaning buckets are going quickly," said Kathy Kraiza, executive director of relief supplies for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. "We started this process with 18,930 buckets in the network. To date, 7,300 are either delivered or being delivered. I believe we will go through all that we have on hand at least by Thanksgiving if not by the end of next week."
Cleaning bucket instructions

Far Rockaway Mission continues to serve

QUEENS, N.Y. (UMNS) - The United Methodist Center in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, continues to keep its doors open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily despite the continued lack of electricity, reports the Rev. Joanne Utley of the New York Annual (regional) Conference.
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Bees, snails, Moringa trees boost Liberia

TUNUKUK PUYE, Liberia (UMNS) - UMCOR isn't just there when disaster strikes. Its program to teach sustainable agriculture and development is making an economic and health impact for West Africans.
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Voting for myself

St. IGNACE, Mich. (UMNS) - After the suicide of a neighbor, the Rev. Erik Alsgaard wanted to bring more attention to the problem of bullying. He ended up running for office.
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Detroit building readied for homeless

DETROIT (UMNS) - Homeless men and women will have a safe place to call home, the Detroit News reports, when work on a gutted 1920s-era apartment building results in the 41-unit Arthur Antisdel Apartments permanent housing development. The project is part of the effort of Cass Community Services, a United Methodist congregation and community service program, to help some of the estimated 19,000 homeless in Detroit.
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Pension forum in Hollywood, Fla.

Clarification: The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits public forum Dec. 7 at11:45 a.m. Eastern Time is at the Marriott Hollywood Beach, 2501 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood, Fla. For more information, contact Colette Nies at 1-800-269-2244, extension 4296, or by email at [email protected].