"We are a church together. I am very pleased to be able to shape and carry on the way of the church together with you.” — The Rev. Harald Rückert after his election as a United Methodist bishop by delegates at the Germany Central Conference meeting.
Rückert elected United Methodist bishop
HAMBURG, Germany (UMNS) — The Rev. Harald Rückert was elected bishop by the Germany Central Conference on the fourth ballot. Klaus Ulrich Ruof has the story.
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Black caucus celebrates 50-year legacy
CINCINNATI (UMNS) — More than 400 members of The United Methodist Church’s African-American membership caucus celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first meeting, even as many speakers addressed work that still needs to be done in fighting racism. John W. Coleman has the story.
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Bishop stresses evangelism at European gathering
ZURICH (UMNS) — Bishop Patrick Streiff chose the Wesleyan theme “Offer Them Christ!” for his episcopal address to the 2017 Central and Southern Europe Conference gathering. Urs Schweizer reports.
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Arson suspected in campground fire
ROWESVILLE, S.C. (UMNS) — Arson is suspected in a fire that destroyed more than a dozen rustic cabins at a historic United Methodist campground. Jessica Brodie reports for the South Carolina Conference.
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New web page spotlights Native ministries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Church recognizes the contributions and gifts of Native peoples to the church and their communities around the globe. In support of Native Americans and indigenous peoples and their traditions, United Methodist Communications has launched a new “Native Peoples and the UMC” landing page on UMC.org. The site features stories by and about Native people, along with resources, information about upcoming events and links to ministries.
Visit page
Interim leader named for UMCOR
ATLANTA (UMNS) — Dr. Olusimbo Ige has been named the interim executive director of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, effective March 31. She will continue to serve as executive director of the mission agency’s Global Health unit.
See announcement
Read February 2017 New World Outlook article by Ige
Finance agency visits Cambodian missions
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (UMNS) — The board of the General Council on Finance and Administration met March 4-8 in Cambodia. During the trip, board members visited with staff and missionaries working with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
Read press release
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, March 20-Sunday, April 2
Online Lay Servant Workshop: Biblical Storytelling I — This course uses methods developed by the Network of Biblical Storytellers International to help people use storytelling to connect with God and other people. United Methodist Discipleship Ministries approved this class from BeADisciple.com as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. $65. Details
Thursday, March 23-Friday, March 24
Preaching Conference: "Preaching a Relevant Word: Politics, Policy and the People" — 11 a.m. EDT March 23 to noon March 24 at Candler School of Theology, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta. This preaching conference sponsored by Candler is designed to assist pastors and congregants in better understanding and addressing contemporary sociopolitical issues. The keynote speaker is the Rev. William Barber II, chair of the North Carolina NAACP and the Rebuilding Broken Places Community Development Corporation. The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Details
See more United Methodist events
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