St. Elmo UMC takes Thanksgiving to streets  

St. Elmo United Methodist Church went to a downtown corner last Sunday afternoon to hand out hot meals and clothes for those in need in Chattanooga. The effort is the latest in the church's ongoing outreach to the homeless. From WDEF. See the story.

Smyth Chapel invites all to Christmas open house

A historic chapel-turned-community-center is hosting its first Christmas Open House as renovations to the building near completion. The holiday events on Dec. 7 will include stories and a book signing by the Rev. Charles Maynard in Emory, Virginia. From SWVa Today. Read the story.

Commentary: Speak out against death penalty

The Rev. Anna Lee, Knoxville pastor, shares her story and why she is passionate about criminal justice reform, especially as it relates to the death penalty. Tennessee's next execution is scheduled Dec. 5. "Jesus has changed my life, and I believe that every life can be transformed." Read the commentary.

Bishops’ group backs US regional conference

The effort to create a new United Methodist structure for U.S. decision-making received a boost from bishops in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. “The central conference bishops will promote and solidly support the U.S. regional conference proposal,” Bishop Harald Rückert announced. From UM News. Read the story.

United States dips below majority of membership

The U.S.’s majority status in The United Methodist Church is coming to an end. According to the denomination's finance agency, total membership in church regions of Africa, the Philippines and Europe will exceed that of the U.S. jurisdictions in 2020. From UM News. Read the story.

Wespath initiatives address opioid crisis

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. In 2018, The United Methodist Church’s pension agency began its own work to address the growing epidemic. From UM News. Read the story.

4 bishops dispute planned budget cuts

The four active bishops in Europe have urged The United Methodist Church’s finance agency to reconsider planned cuts to their office support early next year. The agency is pressing ahead with an earlier decision to reduce office grants for all 66 active bishops by 50%. From UM News. Read the story.