The global church
TYPHOON DISASTER — In the Philippines, missionary Marsha Alexander reported via social media there is much suffering in the southern part of that nation after Super Typhoon Haiyan hit on Nov. 8. Rev. Alexander, whose home conference is Oklahoma, said she and others are fine where they live in the north. She leads Asbury College on the island of Anda. An initial emergency grant of $97,000 from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is aiding disaster recovery in Tacloban City, Leyte Island. The money will provide food, water, and water purification tablets to 7,500 people. You can donate to International Disaster Response, UM Advance No. 982450. Missionary Alexander is Advance No. 10772Z. YOUNG CLERGY GRANTS — Applications are open through Feb. 1 for Young Clergy Initiative grants, to develop innovative projects of all sizes that could attract young people to UM ordained ministry. Go to: http://www.explorecalling.org/yci/grant/. COKESBURY SALES UP — Meeting Oct. 30, the board of The United Methodist Publishing House reported sales of $2 million above annual budget projections. Abingdon Press plans a spring 2014 launch of Covenant Bible Study. Cokesbury.com cited a 14 percent increase in sales. GIVING TUESDAY — On Dec. 3, United Methodists are invited to participate in UMC #GivingTuesday, when every gift made online that day through The Advance will be matched, dollar for dollar, by the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Building on the U.S. shopping traditions of Black Friday, Local Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, UMC #GivingTuesday promotes giving instead of getting, to help UM missionaries and projects that are transforming the world. This is an opportunity to build awareness and maximize support for a project or missionary that your local church supports. See more at: http://www.umcmission.org/Giving-Tuesday/Giving-Tuesday-Resources#sthash.UGrC137d.dpuf Visit www.umcmission.org/ give to search for specific Advance projects and people. RACIAL-ETHNIC GRANTS — Dec. 2 is the deadline to apply for a GBGM grant of up to $10,000 to strengthen and develop a racial-ethnic churches. Contact Sonia Brum at sbrum@umcmission.org. SPECIAL SESSION — More than 800 people gathered Nov. 2 as the Greater New Jersey Conference held a special annual conference session. They made decisions related to the conference’s strategic ministry plan and 2014 budget. Bishop John Schol announced a $750,000 grant from the Hurricane Sandy NJ Relief Fund. 2016 GENERAL CONFERENCE — Deacon Laura Jaquith Bartlett of Eagle Creek, Ore., will direct worship and music for the 2016 UM General Conference. The assembly meets May 10-20 in Portland, Ore. Theme is "Therefore, go." |
