Poverty

Perpetual Makadzange talks to her three children, (from left) 6-year-old Tizzelyn, 7-year-old Tanatswa and 12-year-old Tsepang, at their home in Zimunya, Zimbabwe. The United Methodist schools that the children attend remain closed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News .

Pandemic leads more girls to early marriages

United Methodist schools in Zimbabwe see more early marriages, other risky behavior as schools remain closed amid COVID-19.

Poverty

David Idikwu, left, and Phil Slicker load groceries into the car of a client at The Shepherd’s Market, a ministry of St. John's United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, La. Idikwu and Slicker, members of the church, volunteer at the twice-weekly food pantry. Photo by the Rev. Lane Cotton Winn.

Coronavirus exacerbates economic, racial disparities

The ongoing economic effects from the coronavirus are disastrous for people who were already struggling, particularly racial and ethnic communities. Churches are trying to fill the need, even while many struggle themselves.

Mission and Ministry

Veronika Mwale (right) pumps water from a borehole in Thako village in Mchinji, Malawai. The borehole, which supplies water for three villages, was built through a partnership between Ankeny United Methodist Church in Ankeny, Iowa, and the Malawi Provisional Conference. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Clean water efforts aid villagers during pandemic

Through water, sanitation and hygiene training and the drilling of boreholes, more people in remote communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe have access to clean water.

Global Health

The Rev. Michelle Wilson offers sack lunches from the door of the church van as part of the Hands of Hope food security program at Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. The church received a Sheltering in Love grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief that has enabled it to expand existing food security ministries with seniors and persons experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

In trying times, churches extend their reach

Grants from the United Methodist Committee on Relief allow churches to expand programs, increase capacity during pandemic.

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