Social Concerns

Ola Williams sorts through donated produce at the Willow Community Food Pantry in Willow, Alaska. Williams serves as director of the pantry, a ministry of Willow United Methodist Church. 2023 file photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Mission agency, churches work to fill gaps

The United Methodist Church’s mission agency is stepping up with grants to help fill food pantry shelves. Churches also are striving to support those going without pay during the shutdown.

Social Concerns

Volunteers bag apples at Neighbors Pantry at Anaheim United Methodist Church, about two miles from Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. Like food pantries across the U.S., the United Methodist ministry has seen demand rise this year and is bracing for more with the suspension of SNAP benefits. Screengrab courtesy of the California-Pacific Conference via Vimeo by UM News.

Food ministries sound alarm on rising needs

Even before the federal shutdown, United Methodist ministries across the U.S. faced surging demands. With the suspension of federal food assistance, church pantries plan to step up. But they will need help.

Global Health

The Rev. Paul Kong, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries Asia-Pacific regional representative, explains how rainwater-harvesting tanks are converted into drinking water during a WASH Academy, held Oct. 13-17 at Hope Vocational School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The training was hosted by Global Ministries and its Korean partner nongovernmental organization Bridge of Hope. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Faith, science converge to bring clean water to Southeast Asia

During a United Methodist-supported WASH Academy, church and community leaders learn practical solutions for improving access to clean water.

Church Leadership

Participants at the Facing the Future 2025 conference take a dance break Oct. 7 at Sonesta Los Angeles Airport hotel in Los Angeles. The national conference examined the challenges of cross-cultural and cross-racial clergy. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Cross-cultural, cross-racial pastors seek revival

The Facing the Future conference offered space for United Methodist clergy to share challenges, recenter and envision ministry ahead.

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