“I had no idea she did all of those things. She never said anything about working with the space program, but she did always ask us how we were doing in school.” — Carolyn Bond on Katherine Johnson, who is depicted in the film “Hidden Figures.”
‘Hidden Figures’ mathematician raised Methodist
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (UMNS) — United Methodists in White Sulphur Springs remember Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson — the main character in the movie “Hidden Figures” — counting steps as a child. Johnson grew up near and attended St. James Methodist, which was then an African-American church. West Virginia Conference communications director Deborah Coble reports.
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Churches welcome refugees in Nigeria
LAU, Taraba State, Nigeria (UMNS) — United Methodist churches are serving as refugee camps for people displaced after attacks on villages in Northern Nigeria. The violence is believed by many to be part of a continuing conflict between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the Lau area. The incidents have forced more than 7,000 people to flee their homes. The Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel, Southern Nigeria Conference secretary, reports.
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California churches near Oroville Dam evacuate
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (UMNS) — Eight churches in the Great Northern District have been affected by an order to evacuate areas in the vicinity of the Oroville Dam, which is in danger of overflowing after two spillways connected to it suffered structural damage. Three other United Methodist churches are serving as shelter for displaced fellow United Methodists. Larry Hygh of the California-Nevada Conference reports.
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Wisconsin marchers oppose immigration policies
MILWAUKEE — United Methodist pastors and young people joined demonstrators from 25 Wisconsin cities on Feb. 13 for a “Day without Latinos, Immigrants and Refugees” march to oppose state and national immigration policies. The Rev. Ricardo Torres, pastor of Vida Nueva United Methodist Church in Green Bay, told WBAY, “We’re fighting for our rights, and we have rights.”
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Religion and Race offers Lenten Bible study
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers a new Lenten Bible study, “Roll Down, Justice!,” aimed at reminding United Methodists of their commitment to be more Christ-like. The study includes a video series and guides for study.
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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, Feb. 20-Wednesday, Feb. 22
Ministers’ Convocation 2017 will be held at Music Road Hotel and Conference Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The theme of the event is leadership and plenary speaker will be the Rev. Olu Brown, lead pastor of Impact Church in Atlanta. Details
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