UM News Digest - Nov. 25, 2024

Bishop Warner remembered
World AIDS Day call
A haven for the unhoused

“He was a humble soul. He’d been a bishop. He’d been important enough in his own country that they tried to kill him. And, here he was going out to the Walmart parking lot to invite people to visit a United Methodist church.” — Retired Bishop Janice Riggle Huie

Photo courtesy of Dignity Memorial / Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

Bishop Warner remembered for humility in exile

OKLAHOMA CITY — After a military coup forced him out of his native Liberia, United Methodist Bishop Bennie Warner began ministry anew in the U.S. He died at age 89 after serving churches in Oklahoma, New York and Arkansas. His resilience and faithfulness inspired a documentary. Heather Hahn reports.

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World AIDS Day call: ‘Put people first’
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (UM News) — At two global AIDS conferences, numerous speakers emphasized that faith communities can play a vital role in combating the stigma attached to the disease. As churches observe World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, they can take inspiration from the theme of the gatherings to “Put People First.” The Rev. Donald E. Messer reports.
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Iowa Conference
Barnabas House a haven for the unhoused
IOWA FALLS, Iowa — Three churches partnered to make a single-family home into short-term housing for unhoused families. Barnabas House, set in a quiet residential neighborhood, aims to help residents regain stability and move toward permanent housing. Iowa Falls United Methodist Church worked together with Catholic and Lutheran congregations on the project. Iowa Conference staff have the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Faith, fun and worship with Improv Church
DUNN LORING, Va. — For many people feeling disconnected from traditional religious services, finding a new way to engage with faith can be challenging. What if the answer lies in something as unexpected as improv comedy? The Vine United Methodist Church was asking these questions, so they have introduced Improv Church — a unique blend of humor and holiness. United Methodist Communications produced a video spotlighting this unique ministry.
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NOTE: There will be no Wednesday digest due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Friday digest will go out as scheduled. UM News wishes everyone a blessed holiday and offers this downloadable graphic for sharing.
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UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.

Discipleship Ministries
Give back on Thanksgiving
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — There are ways of celebrating Thanksgiving besides a turkey dinner. The Rev. Ken Sloane of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries has some suggestions, including donating to food banks, writing encouraging notes to neighbors or teachers and serving together at a shelter meal program.
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