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Free Thanksgiving Meals Provided by DuBois UMC: WTAJ reported on the volunteers from DuBois United Methodist Church who offered a free Thanksgiving meal to people in need. The annual tradition began around 10 years ago and this year, 400 meals were prepared. Watch segment.
Pittsburgh Creche is Blessed in Downtown Service: Rev. Renee Mikell, assistant to the bishop, joined other religious leaders to bless the Pittsburgh Creche located downtown. Read story and see photos.
Vigil to Call Attention to Violence Against LGBTQ+ Community: In response to the recent Club Q tragedy in Colorado Springs, the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Equality Center will be holding a Candlelight Vigil at 6 pm on December 7th at the corner of Centre Avenue and South Aiken Street in Shadyside. They will call attention to the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate and the recent increases in gun violence. See flier.
Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Conference shared a message of lament after the shooting. Read.
Women’s Commission at 50: Still a Long Way to Go: After interviewing Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, Jim Patterson of the UM News service highlights key points. “Strides have been made, but the church still is behind on issues such as salary disparities between men and women clergy. Additionally, many churches still resist the appointment of a female pastor.” Read more.
Is The United Methodist Church Really...? In this sixth installment, Ask the UMC answers questions relating to property, financial assets, and scholarship funds. Read more.
Amid Church Exits, Work Starts on Record-low Budget: “United Methodist financial leaders have begun developing a denominational budget that will include big cuts to the funds that support general agencies and bishops,” writes Heather Hahn. “However, disagreements remain on how best to deal with financial uncertainty in a time of church disaffiliations and continuing fallout from the pandemic. Ultimately, it will be up to General Conference to set the next denominational budget when it meets in 2024.” Read UM News story.
Ask the UMC: Is Advent About Preparing for Baby Jesus? Advent is certainly a time of preparation. What exactly are we preparing for, though? Read more.
An Advent Song of Ascents: Isaiah is the anchor text for this Advent worship series. But Psalms gives the mood, theme, or even soul. “I was glad when they said to me ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” The opening line from Psalm 122 captures something of the Advent spirit this year. From “I was glad” to “go to the house of the Lord.” We are singing a song of ascent this Advent season. See resource.
4 Ways Your Church Can Help People Simplify Christmas: Karl Vaters provides suggestions on what you can do this Christmas to grow your church by helping people through simple and effective community outreach. Read more.
Reclaim the Mission of the Church: With all of the uncertainty and division in The United Methodist Church and around the globe, there’s a danger of losing the purpose and mission of the church, or sweeping it aside in the desire to keep everyone together and safe. When we remember “who we are and whose we are,” writes Anne Bosarge, director of Leadership Strategies and Local Church Resources in the South Georgia Conference, “we are rediscovering what we are called to do.” See more.
God's Good Creation: Rethinking Disabilities: Many people with disabilities experience isolation and loneliness, even in their United Methodist church. Jim Patterson reports on how by creating a welcoming environment to those with disabilities, the church and its members can experience the giftedness and goodness of all. More.