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Theology and Education

Kito Bonane, vice president of United Methodist Women in Kivu, learns the basics of computer science during technology training in Bukavu, Congo. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UMNS.

Kivu pastors, lay leaders get connected

Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda continues to emphasize information and communications technology capacity-building for church leaders.

Editor's Picks

General Church

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

United Methodists and British Methodists worshipped together in London to mark the 50th anniversary of a commitment to work together.

Mission and Ministry

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

Alamo Heights United Methodist mixes golden oldies with religious inspiration to reach unchurched Boomers.

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.

Latest

The Rev. Steve Wood presents information on the general church budget to the fellow board members of the General Council on Finance and Administration. Rick King, the agency’s chief financial officer, is at left. The board is recommending substantially cutting the 2021-24 general-church budget in hopes of keeping more funds in U.S. local churches. Photo by Heather Hahn, UMNS.

Board moves to slash general church funds

Social Concerns

Children at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe, can expect a brighter future thanks to efforts by the church to help them obtain birth certificates. Having a birth certificate helps ensure access to government services such as education. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, UMNS.

Church helps children, adults obtain birth certificates

Bishop Joaquina F. Nhanala of Mozambique is presented with a carving to commemorate her decade as the first and only female United Methodist bishop in Africa during a celebration at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UMNS.

Nhanala: ‘Africa is ready’ for second female bishop

Multicultural Ministry

Members of MARCHA, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., pray together following a panel discussion on proposals to end The United Methodist Church’s division over homosexuality. From left are: the Rev. Ana Awilda Nolla, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Rosie Rios and the Revs. Rosario Quiñones and Rosanna Panizo. Photo by Gustavo Vasquez, UMNS.

Hispanic/Latino caucus supports One Church Plan

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

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Multimedia

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

Photo of the Rev. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Commentary: Wesley’s evangelism: ‘Save as many souls as you can’

Courtesy photo of the Rev. Kimberly D. Reisman.

Commentary: Faith is caught, not taught

Courtesy photo of the Rev. Heather Heinzman Lear.

Commentary: Evangelism is central to our mission

United Methodist Bishop Gary Mueller. Photo by Patrick W. Shownes. Accompanies UMNS story #290. 10/22/12.

Commentary: Every Christian can share Jesus’ love

Ask The UMC

Theology and Education

Le révérend Jérôme R. DeVine (à gauche et à l'arrière) applique le signe de croix sur le révérend Kyland Dobbins lors d'une réaffirmation du baptême à Facing the Future 2018, un événement pour les pasteurs travaillant dans un environnement multiculturel à Newark (New Jersey). DeVine a décrit le culte comme étant « à la fois un souvenir de la grâce de Dieu dans le baptême et le don continu de la grâce qui nous guérit et nous fortifie au milieu des orages de la vie et du ministère. » Photo d’archives de Joey Butler, UMNS.

Ask The UMC: Do United Methodists make the sign of the cross?

Why is making the sign of the cross sometimes viewed as foreign to United Methodists? The answer isn’t hard to find.

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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?

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?

Theology and Education

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?’

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

Commentary: Church turns to crowdfunding

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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Mission and Ministry

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

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

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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

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

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