"I also ask for a mobilization of the whole community as one body to assist these victims, because their first refuge is us, the church.” — East Congo Bishop Gabriel Unda on the mudslide that killed more than 200 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Death toll more than 200 in Congo landslide
TORA, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS) — United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Unda has asked for prayers and help after a landslide in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo left more than 200 dead. Judith Yanga reports.
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Pastor turns town into mission field
MARION, Va. — United Methodists provide home repair and firewood for low-income families on Marion’s east side. On the west side, there’s a United Methodist-affiliated clinic and school for health care providers. A single pastor, the Rev. Harry Howe, is the connecting force for all this work. Annette Spence reports for the Holston Conference.
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Safe water for Sierra Leone villages
BO, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — The United Methodist Global Health Initiative has provided much-needed toilets and wells for primary schools in two rural communities where diarrhea and worm infestations had prevailed. Phileas Jusu reports.
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Church vitality event draws nearly 800
ATLANTA — The 2017 School of Congregational Development drew more than 540 United Methodist pastors and lay leaders, with another 245 participants joining via an internet livestream. The Aug. 17-21 event offered ideas on ways to start and grow new congregations and revitalize existing ones. Elliott Wright and Ivy Couch report for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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Bishops commit to anti-racism work
ATLANTA — The Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops has announced plans to share a story a month, starting in September, about anti-racism work in the jurisdiction. “It is our prayer that this sharing will increase courage and strengthen community,” the bishops said in a letter.
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Religion and Race meets with Filipino bishops
MANILA, Philippines — Bishops and other leaders in the Philippines met with the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race to discuss the bridge-building work of intercultural competency. A focus of discussion was ministry with indigenous people.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, Aug. 28-Saturday, Sept. 9
Online Lay Servant Workshop: “Come to the Waters” — This course from BeADisciple.com will help deepen a congregation’s experience of baptism, confirmation and reaffirmation of baptism through a wide-ranging study of "By Water and the Spirit," Scripture, church history and United Methodist theology and practice of the sacrament. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries has approved this course as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. It is eligible for 1.0 CEU. Cost: $65. Details
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