 Council of Bishops adopts God's New Creation
One of the biggest stories of the United Methodist Church this year is first pastoral letter on the environment from the Council of Bishops since 1986. God's New Creation: Call to Hope and Action, was adopted by the Council November 3.
The Council of Bishops is calling all pastors to read the letter during worship this Advent season.
You can also read the United Methodist News Service story and download the Council of Bishop's complete letter, along with foundation documents and liturgy here.
Bishop Lyght's letter to pastors can be read here.
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Advent Hunger Offering
More than 800 million people
worldwide are hungry every day. Almost 17 million children
are 'food insecure', according to a recent US Department of Agriculture Study. In West Virginia, 19.7% of
children under 5 don't get enough to eat.
The economic recession has put additional pressure on feeding programs
and food pantries.
"As followers of Jesus and
John Wesley, we must respond to this need," said Rev. Carolyn Nettles, hunger
coordinator for the WV Conference. "The church's role is more important
than ever."
Rev.
Nettles asks churches to consider a special offering during the Advent/Christmas
season.
Monies may be directed to Fund #221: WV HUNGER (Split between 39
Food Pantries in WV), or Fund #220: UNDESIGNATED
HUNGER (Divided between WV Hunger and ten agencies that deal with hunger issues
worldwide). Churches are reminded to make checks payable to the Conference Treasurer, using a remittance
form so your church will be credited.
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Local Church Connection
Simpson Memorial United Methodist Church in Charleston opens its doors every Friday for a community lunch. "We see many homeless folks at the lunches," said coordinator Gail Revels, who also says the recession has made an impact on attendance. When we started the ministry (in 2006), we saw 30 people a week. Now, we often see 60 or so."
We'll be covering Simpson's ministry in the next issue of the West Virginia United Methodist. Have a ministry to share from your church? Drop us an e-mail!
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Global AIDS Day
At Annual Conference 2005, we pledged
to raise $1 for every member toward a goal of raising $100,000 for the Global AIDS Fund.
Thanks to great efforts of many churches of our Annual
Conference, we have raised more than 75% of our goal.
Please consider taking a special offering for World AIDS
Day December 6 to help the
West Virginia Global AIDS Fund Task Team raise the remaining $25,000 of our pledge.
The General Board of Global Ministries has an excellent web page devoted to World AIDS Day, and you can
download the bulletin insert below to inform you congregation about
World AIDS Day.
WAD Bulletin Insert Page 1 | WAD Bulletin Insert Page 2
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American Methodist Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate the 225th Anniversary of the of the First American Methodist Conference Saturday, December 12 at 10 a.m. Bishop Lyght will preside and preach in this worship celebration at Saint Marks United Methodist Church in Charleston.
For more information on Methodism in America, see page 5 of the current West Virginia United Methodist.
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Festival of Lessons & Carols
On Sunday, December 6, West Virginia Wesleyan College hosts their annual Festival of
Lessons & Carols in Wesley Chapel at 4pm. There
will be an open house reception at the Erickson Alumni Center from 2PM to 4PM. Come in, warm up, get a cup
of hot cider and
relax before heading over to the Chapel for the Festival.
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