Human Rights

Helene Bataku (in orange dress), a member of Mwambangu United Methodist Church in Fizi, has learned to read and write at a new vocational center led by The United Methodist Church in Fizi, Congo. She said the center offers women new opportunities and a chance to catch up to their peers. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Church helps train marginalized women, youth

More than 100 women and 50 youth are receiving weekly training at a new vocational center that was built through a collaboration between The United Methodist Church in East Congo and the Congolese government.

Human Rights

Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan (center) and the Rev. Rubynell Estrella lead a candlelight prayer service at United Methodist Church in Manila for Lumad farmers caught in a violent protest at the Spottswood United Methodist Church in April 2016. United Methodist leaders have condemned a recent raid on a mission center that houses 500 displaced Lumad in Mindanao, Philippines. File photo courtesy of Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.

Filipino United Methodists defend Lumad sanctuary

Bishop, church leaders condemn closure order, raid on mission center that houses 500 displaced indigenous people in Mindanao, Philippines.

Social Concerns

Bishop Woodie W. White (center) crosses the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, during the 50th anniversary observance in 2015 of Bloody Sunday. With him are his wife, Kim (right), Ruby Shinhoster and Beth Clarke. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

A look back at Bloody Sunday’s 50th anniversary

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, UM News revisits its 2015 trip to Selma, Alabama, for the 50th anniversary of the 1965 marches protesting racial segregation.

General Church

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey observes the results from a February 26, 2019, vote to strengthen The United Methodist Church's policies against homosexuality. The vote came on the last day of the Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church in St. Louis, Mo. Delegates approved the Traditional Plan, which strengthens penalties for LGBTQIA clergy and prohibits same sex weddings. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS.

Special general conference tops the news in 2019

Division within The United Methodist Church was on full display during February’s special session in St. Louis, attracting both denominational and public attention.

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