Local Church

Bishop Jeremiah J. Park (right) congratulates the Rev. R. Jargaltsetseg during the ordination service at the United Methodist Mongolia Mission Initiative’s annual meeting, held at Gerelt United Methodist Church in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Aug. 30. Jargaltsetseg was ordained as a mission elder. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Mongolia Mission marks milestones, maps future

The United Methodist Church’s Mongolia Mission Initiative celebrated its 23rd anniversary this year with joyful worship and renewed commitments to the future.

Faith Stories

The Rev. Jesse Baker preaches at First United Methodist Church of Elon, N.C. A poet as well as a pastor, Baker writes a sonnet based on the Scripture he intends to preach on each week, then uses the sonnet to inspire his sermon. His new book, “Clarity and Light: Meditations on Scripture,” is a collection of his sonnets. Photo by Patrick Abbott, courtesy of First United Methodist Church.

Grasping Scripture using poetry

A pastor in North Carolina is writing sonnets to put Scripture in perspective, which he says helps him write more compelling sermons.

Church Growth

Bishop Knut Refsdal, who leads the Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Area, baptizes Aksel, as the baby’s parents, Håkon and Astri Helen Madland, look on. The newly elected bishop chose Flekkefjord, Norway, as his first visit in a strong sign of solidarity with the United Methodists there. Photo by Karl Anders Ellingsen, UM News.

After division, church sees new life and local honor

After General Conference, a United Methodist church in Norway saw much of its congregation leave. Now, the church is rebounding and receiving recognition for its inclusive stance.

Church Leadership

Steven Odhiambo of the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference is consecrated as a home missioner by retired United Methodist Bishop Joaquina F. Nhanala during the Africa Region Deaconess/Home Missioner consecration service on July 9 at the Lutheran Uhuru Hostel and Conference Centre in Moshi, Tanzania. The ceremony marked the first time a United Methodist deaconess/home missioner consecration was held on African soil. Photo courtesy of Laurel Akin.

Diaconal vision for Africa becomes reality

For the first time, a United Methodist deaconess/home missioner consecration is held on African soil, as 15 candidates are consecrated for service.

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