United Methodist News Service

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Disaster Relief

Charlotte Bailey clutches a Bible given to her by volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse, who sifted for valuables in the ashes of her home in Redding, Calif., which was destroyed by wildfire. Bailey is a member of Redding United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Bailey.

No end in sight for church wildfire response

United Methodists in California are again responding to deadly wildfires — on top of ongoing recovery efforts from fires in previous years.

Editor's Picks

General Church

The special 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church — set for Feb. 23-26 in St. Louis — will attempt to find a way forward for The United Methodist Church by considering the three different plans included in the report developed by the Commission on a Way Forward. The full report and all the legislation are part of the docket. Image by United Methodist News Service.

Top court sets October oral hearings

The United Methodist Judicial Council will have three oral hearings when it meets Oct. 23-26 in Zurich.

Mission

The ability for all generations to help pack meals for Rise Against Hunger is appealing to congregations like Dunwoody United Methodist Church, as demonstrated at last year’s “Foodstock” event. The metro Atlanta congregation has assembled more than 2 million meals since 2012 for the ministry. Photo by Bryan Jordin, Overtone.

Feeding millions of children in need

Through their meal-packing events with Rise Against Hunger, United Methodists account for nearly one-quarter of the 400-million-plus meals distributed globally.

Immigration

Native American scholar Henrietta Mann (left) and leaders of The United Methodist Church’s Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, the Revs. Donna Pewo (center) and David Wilson, conduct a prayer ceremony for immigrant children held at the Casa Padre detention facility in Brownsville, Texas. The three prayed in a grassy median outside the facility, a former Walmart. It is the largest shelter in the U.S. for minors caught crossing the border illegally. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Native Americans pray at child detention center

Members of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference held a prayer service outside Casa Padre, a detention center for young, mostly unaccompanied immigrant boys.

Latest

United Methodist Bishop Bruce Ough preaches from the pulpit at historic Wesley’s Chapel in London during the opening worship service of a 50th anniversary celebration of the concordat agreement between the United Methodist and British Methodist churches. Photo by Alex Baker.

Reflecting on a shared Methodist heritage

The Rev. George Chambers (left) and Tom Kinkead have collaborated in running KPPC, a low power FM radio station based at Alamo United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. They mix inspirational Christian messages with golden oldies to reach a Boomer audience. Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS.

Church gets boost from golden oldies station

Social Concerns

The Rev. Kombi Ramazani (right) is among religious leaders meeting in Uvira, Congo, to urge peace during upcoming elections. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UMNS.

Religious leaders stress churches’ role in peacemaking

Community Development

Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa (front) leads the way across a new bridge commissioned by The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe to connect United Methodist Marange High School near Mutare, to the local community. “The Nyadindwe Bridge will unite our communities as people cross to either side but also in religion, bridges can be spiritual, physical and mental in nature,” he said. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.

United Methodists build bridge to keep kids in school

The Rev. Jeremias Dumaya (left) has blood drawn for HIV screening during a symposium on HIV and AIDS education at Wesleyan Third Millennium United Methodist Church in Cabanatuan City, Philippines. Photo by Gladys Mangiduyos, UMNS.

Partnership focuses on HIV/AIDS in Philippines

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Multimedia

Evangelism

The Rev. Alan Ashworth (right) visits with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers at a free hiker feed sponsored by New Hope Union United Methodist Church near Bastian, Va. Volunteers set up a temporary shelter where the trail crosses a gravel parking area and offered hot sandwiches, salads and cold drinks to weary hikers. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS. — The Rev. Alan Ashworth (right) visits with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers at a free hiker feed sponsored by New Hope Union United Methodist Church near Bastian, Va. Volunteers set up a temporary shelter where the trail crosses a gravel parking area and offered hot sandwiches, salads and cold drinks to weary hikers.

Small churches, big ministry

The two churches of the Round Mountain Circuit in Virginia have about two dozen members, but they minister to thousands every year.

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Ernest Tokpah recalls the toll Ebola took on his family during 2015 and 2016 in Ganta, Liberia. "Ganta was on fire because of the Ebola," he said. "We stopped eating together, we stopped shaking hands, and people practically stopped talking to each other.” Tokpah, a faculty member at Ganta United Methodist School, is raising four children left orphaned when his sister and her husband died of the disease. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Church institutions continue to aid post-Ebola Liberia

Bermondsey Central Hall Methodist Church serves a diverse congregation of about 320 and houses the South London Mission, which has been supporting the community since 1889. The modern London Shard skyscraper rises behind the church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

British Methodism: Staying Relevant in Wesley’s Homeland

Edmond Assamoi directs the choir at a recently opened United Methodist church outside Agboville, Côte d'Ivoire. The church is so new that it has not yet been named. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Singing the gospel in Côte d’Ivoire

A statue of Saint John of Nepomuk looks out over the Main River in the historic Höchst district of Frankfurt, Germany. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

German Methodism: A strong Christian voice

Commentaries

Commentary: Church turns to crowdfunding

Photo of William B. Lawrence by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Commentary: Threat of schism hangs over jubilee of church

Photo of Kathy L. Gilbert by Kathleen Barry, UMNS.

Commentary: Addiction, Mother’s Day and God’s grace

Commentary: Rescuing Outler's 'Visions and Dreams'

Ask The UMC

A view of Kingswood School in England. Neil Phillips Photography, courtesy of Kingswood School. Used by permission. Do not reuse. — A view of Kingswood School in England. Neil Phillips Photography, courtesy of Kingswood School.

Ask The UMC: What was the first school started by Methodists?

Wesley believed everyone should have access to education regardless of gender or class. He championed education as a way to assure that leaders would act ethically and responsibly.

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In his sermon Original Sin, John Wesley said, "By grace ye shall be wholly renewed." Photo by Darby Jones, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: How did John Wesley understand original sin?

Pews and hymnals photographed inside Monroe Street United Methodist Church in historic Germantown, Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications

Ask The UMC: Why does The United Methodist Hymnal include more than songs?

Be ye therefore perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect - Matt. 5:48. File photo by Kay Panovec, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: What did John Wesley mean by ‘moving on to perfection?’

Image of a circuit rider, courtesy of the General Commission on Archives and History for The United Methodist Church, Drew University.

Ask The UMC: Why do United Methodist pastors change churches?

Categories

Children participate in Native American games such as stickball (lacrosse), crafts, storytelling and other activities during vacation Bible school at St. John United Methodist Church in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The curriculum is based on the traditional teachings of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape and other Native American tribes.

VBS serves as Native American immersion experience

The Alternative Plan Task Force, the Central Committee and the executive committee of the Korean Association of the United Methodist Church pray together at a joint meeting held in August 2-3, 2018. Photo by Thomas Kim, UMNS

Korean United Methodists choose prayer over plans

A praise team helps lead worship at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, during an interdenominational prayer for peace in the country following election-related violence. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UMNS.

United Methodists join peace prayer in Zimbabwe

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The screen of a smartphone communicates a message of comfort from East Congo Bishop Gabriel Unda Yemba. The text, delivered as part of the church’s UMCONNECT platform, is translated from French to English in this photo illustration. Original photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UMNS.

End of Ebola outbreak declared in Congo

Translators (from left) Katherine Jolly, Maria Sonnleithner and Deborah Detka work together in the German translation booth at the Global Young People’s Convocation in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UMNS.

Translators connect young people at global event

The Rev. Moses Kumar shares a children’s sermon on July 8, his second Sunday as pastor of Lillard Chapel United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The top executive of the denomination’s finance agency, he is also a newly licensed local pastor. Photo by Heather Hahn, UMNS.

Finance agency exec answers call to pulpit

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Social Concerns

Delegates to the Global Young People’s Convocation in Johannesburg, South Africa, vote on legislation that will be presented by youth and young adults at the United Methodist General Conference in 2020. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UMNS.

Young people address migration, child marriage

United Methodists in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference approve a resolution calling for end to separating immigrant families. At least 18 of the 54 U.S. conferences approved resolutions in support of welcoming immigrants. Photo by Barry Doyle.

Conferences unite on welcoming immigrants

The Rev. Phil Woodson, associate pastor for outreach and witness at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Va., attends a Charlottesville Clergy Collective meeting on July 25, 2018, at Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church. The interfaith group has continued to respond after a white supremacist rally and counter protest in Charlottesville turned deadly on Aug. 12, 2017. Photo by Richard Lord.

Charlottesville clergy hope for peaceful weekend

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Mission

In photo on left, Grace Mutsago (left) and Adja Muzama carry water from a well at Mutsago Primary School in Zimbabwe. In photo on right, teacher Memory Maseure fills a bucket from the new tap at Mutsago Primary School. The United Methodist Church in partnership with Chabadza Norway Community Development Program is helping bring clean, piped water to two schools. Photos by Kudzai Chingwe, UMNS.

Water project saves lives, boosts economy in Zimbabwe

Children from the Little Seed Center orphanage in Cacuaco, Angola, gather to celebrate donations of food and other goods provided by young adults from Bethel United Methodist Church in Luanda. Photo by Paulo do Rosario.

Angola young adults aid struggling orphanage

Arvid, Janet and Pamela Liebe (left) pose for a photo with the Rev. Lloyd Marange, and Bob Pudwill (right) at Mutambara Mission in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Arvid and Janet Liebe, from Central United Methodist Church in Millbank, South Dakota, have helped revitalize the farm, hospital and school at the mission. Photo courtesy of Mutambara Mission.

South Dakota couple pour love into Zimbabwe mission

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Supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party block a street on Aug 1 in Harare, Zimbabwe. In the wake of soldiers opening fire on the protesters, United Methodist bishops and other church leaders called for prayers for peace. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko. Do not reuse. One Time Use.

Prayers for Zimbabwe after election violence

William Nicholas' new book "Go and Be Reconciled" describes Alabama Methodists' struggle to integrate their conferences amid major civil rights events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing in Birmingham. Image courtesy NewSouth Books.

Alabama bishop met race challenge

The Rev. Brian Atkins (second from right) speaks about the plans on offer from the Commission on Way Forward during the For Everyone Born gathering in St. Louis. Fellow commission members (from left) Dave Nuckols, Matt Berryman and Scott Johnson (furthest right) spoke about their work. Randall Miller (center) moderated the conversation. Photo by Heather Hahn, UMNS

LGBTQ advocates conflicted on way forward

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