Local Church

The Rev. Francis O. Lunge, pastor of Greenwood Memorial United Methodist Church in Dorchester, Mass., died on Oct. 8 at the age of 41. Photo courtesy of the Lunge family.

Pastor remembered as humble leader devoted to youth, justice

The Rev. Francis Onusamba Lunge, a United Methodist pastor in Massachusetts and son of Bishop Daniel Lunge, died Oct. 8 at age 41. Those who knew him remember his faithfulness, love for youth ministry and commitment to justice.

Church History

Holding a banner for the Bishop Richard Allen Way street renaming celebration Oct. 7 at Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church in Philadelphia are (from left): the Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church; Yvonne Studevan, an Allen descendant; AME Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green Sr.; United Methodist Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi; and the Rev. William Wilson Sr., pastor of St. George’s. Surrounding them are other descendants and members of the Prince Hall Masons lodge named for Bishop Allen. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

United Methodists help honor AME Church founder

Philadelphia renamed the street in front of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church as Bishop Richard Allen Way, honoring the formerly enslaved Methodist preacher who founded the denomination in 1816.

Church Growth

The Rev. Eric Kalumba Nkulu, a Global Ministries missionary assigned as a church planter in Madagascar, receives the first stone of a new United Methodist church building from a local construction worker in Sambava, Madagascar. The church will be home to a growing congregation in the northern part of the country. Photo by Rosette Viviane, UM News.

New churches take root in Madagascar

United Methodists continue evangelism efforts on the island nation, breaking ground on two new buildings for congregations in the north and west.

Congregations

Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr. gives the sermon during morning worship at the United Methodist Leadership Gathering Oct. 21 at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada. The Horizon Texas Conference bishop announced Oct. 29 that he has appointed a new pastor to Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas after the church held a congregational vote to cut ties with the denomination. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishop names new pastor to Highland Park

Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr. is making plans to care for Highland Park members who wish to stay United Methodist. In letters to both Highland Park lay leaders and congregants, he also maintained that this week’s congregational vote to cut ties with the denomination is not valid under church law.

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