“I have expanded my business to include a small cafeteria and groceries store. … I don’t think I will ever talk of poverty again.” — Catherine Kaguri, a member of Gateway United Methodist Church in Kenya, on participating in the church’s loan program.
Table banking changes women's lives in Kenya
MERU, Kenya (UM News) — Women in the Eastern District of the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference are benefitting from a program that helps them save money and start income-generating projects. Since its inception, the table-banking project has enrolled over 500 women. Gad Maiga reports.
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NEWS AND FEATURES
Upper New York Conference
Doctor helps support pastors' well-being
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — While congregants rely on pastors to help support their well-being, pastors are appreciative when members of their congregation look out for them and their physical, mental and spiritual health. Dr. Laura LeCours, a medical doctor and lay leader of Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, prioritizes the well-being of her pastors and encourages them to practice self-care. Shannon Hodson has her story.
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Ways to support your pastor's well-being
California-Nevada Conference
UMCOR awards flood assistance grant
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to the worst statewide storm damage in California history, the United Methodist Committee on Relief has awarded a $10,000 grant to the California-Nevada Conference. This grant is for funding immediate relief efforts. The timing of the grant is ideal, says Steve Elliott, the conference disaster response coordinator.
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West Virginia Conference
Conference puts out call for quilters
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Conference Justice and Advocacy Committee is sponsoring the creation of a quilt that will be a physical representation of the link between the United Methodist Sacraments of Baptism and Communion and social justice issues facing the world today. The committee is calling on all interested quilters to create blocks for the project. The quilt will be displayed at the conference office and presented at the 2023 Annual Conference.
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CBS Evening News
Church music director helps youth take center stage
LOS ANGELES — Charles Dickerson, director of music for Rolling Ridge United Methodist Church, was recently featured on CBS News for his work as founder and conductor of the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. The organization provides children, particularly racial minorities who don’t typically have access to high-quality music education, an opportunity to learn and perform classical music. The orchestra performed at a Jan. 14 tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. held at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. Manuel Bojorquez has the story.
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily 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.
A Human Relations Day to remember
SAN ANTONIO (UM News) — Three historic United Methodist churches in San Antonio came together for a Human Relations Day service ahead of the city’s MLK Day March — the country’s largest. The churches, each with a different racial/ethnic membership, modeled the powerful idea of “beloved community,” writes the Rev. Miguel Padilla of the Rio Texas Conference.
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RESOURCES
Society of St. Andrew
Lenten devotions available for order
BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew, a feeding ministry and United Methodist partner, is offering free devotionals for the season of Lent. This year’s theme is “Redeemed.” The deadline to order print materials is Feb. 6. The daily devotionals will start Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and conclude on Easter, April 9.
To learn more and order
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