UM News Digest - Nov. 20, 2024

Hurricane Helene recovery in N.C.
Episcopal elections underway in the Philippines
New church plants provide hope

“I just love that we’re the last ones to turn out the lights at the end of the project, and that The United Methodist Church is committed to helping communities in need from start to finish.” — Carolyn Koontz, United Methodist Volunteer in Mission.

Church member Sherrie Mayotte views damage to the kitchen at Pensacola United Methodist Church in Burnsville, N.C., after it was flooded by storm runoff following Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Hurricane Helene recovery in N.C.

BURNSVILLE, N.C. (UM News) — United Methodists are among those helping in the mountains of Western North Carolina after the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding and spawned tornadoes in valley communities in late September. Specially trained United Methodist Early Response Teams have been working in the affected areas since Oct. 8. Mike DuBose offers a photo essay of that work.

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Al Miller shares a laugh with Anita McKinney during a visit to her home in Newland, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

‘I’m blessed’: Church crews respond to storms

NEWLAND, N.C. (UM News) — The sounds of power tools can be heard all day, as Volunteers in Mission teams work to help homeowners recover from Hurricane Helene. UM News followed a team from Virginia clearing out debris from homes in Western North Carolina. “They are doing wonderful,” said Anita McKinney, whose home was damaged by the storm. “I’m blessed. There’s a lot of good left in the world.” Lilla Marigza has the story.

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Episcopal elections underway in the Philippines
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Voting has begun for three episcopal elections in the Philippines Central Conference. UM News is tracking the balloting and will have coverage as the bishops are elected. All three current bishops, Bishops Rodel Acdal, Ruby-Nell Estrella and Israel Painit, are up for re-election. The conference continues through Nov. 22.
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UM News: Preparing for bishop elections outside US

United Methodist Communications
New church plants provide hope
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When a church disaffiliated, it usually left behind a “remnant group” of committed United Methodists who remained dedicated to the denomination’s mission and connection. Many of these groups joined together to grieve, heal and establish new United Methodist congregations in their communities. Laura Buchanan lifts up some of these new church plants.
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Church and Society
Marking Transgender Day of Remembrance
WASHINGTON — Transgender Day of Remembrance, observed on Nov. 20, calls people to honor the lives taken by anti-transgender violence and to confront ongoing injustice. “For The United Methodist Church, it is a moment to reckon with past exclusions, stand against the harm inflicted on the queer and trans community and recommit to valuing every person as a beloved child of God,” writes the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
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Minnesota Conference
Support for parents of transgender children
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — When some parents in her congregation were navigating a wide range of emotions associated with having a transgender child, the Rev. Faith Totushek knew Grace United Methodist Church could provide a safe and welcoming space for them to come together and support one another. Totushek started a monthly group, where parents gather to share a meal, check in with one another, reflect on Scripture and pray. Christa Meland has the story.
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NPR
Pastor urges ‘do unto others’ to bridge political divides
BETHEL PARK, Pa. — Campaign lawn signs rarely bring people together from opposite sides of the political fence. But in the lead-up to Election Day, signs promoting the Bible’s Golden Rule rather than a political candidate popped up all over one Pittsburgh suburb. Christ United Methodist Church distributed the lawn signs free as part of what the Rev. Chris Morgan calls a “movement for kindness.” Frank Langfitt reports.
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Finance and Administration
Employment regulation updates for your ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal court recently struck down a new federal regulation that increases the salary threshold for overtime exemptions, which could have affected ministry employers and employees alike. The United Methodist Church’s General Council on Finance and Administration looks at what that means for churches and other denominational employers. The finance agency is hosting a Dec. 3 webinar that will discuss these developments.
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