“Not everybody in Sierra Leone can read and write; a drama presents a good way to reach out to that large category of people.” — Finda Quiwa, a United Methodist Board of Global Ministries regional missionary.
Ebola killing more people than those with virus
KENEMA, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — On the day Sento Conteh’s 14-year-old son died, so did eight other people, all just outside the doors of Kenema Hospital in Sierra Leone. None of them had Ebola but Ebola contributed to all their deaths because the outbreak has caused a collapse in the health care system in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Kathy Gilbert reports for UMNS.
Message: Superstition won’t cure Ebola
LUMLEY, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — Using drama and song, young adults from The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone are taking the urgent messages about Ebola to drivers and motorcyclists, market vendors, street hawkers, footballers and people who live in some of the poorest areas of the country. Communicator Phileas Jusu reports from Sierra Leone.
Agreement resolves same-sex union complaint
PHILADELPHIA (UMNS) — Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy Johnson announced Oct. 2 that a complaint filed against 36 pastors who officiated at the Nov. 9, 2013, same-sex union of two men has been resolved in an agreement by the complainants and respondents. The plan calls for the pastors to acknowledge they violated rules of the United Methodist Book of Discipline and for the complainants to withdraw the complaint. Kathy Gilbert reports.
Five most difficult questions for pastors
MONUMENT, Colo. (UMNS) — United Methodist pastors often get questions after worship on a Sunday morning, from a phone call on a Tuesday afternoon, or across the table at a church dinner. Some queries are straightforward, but others are far tougher to address. The Rev. Joe Iovino, associate pastor of Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church, writes about the five most difficult questions pastors get.
Advocating for women in The United Methodist Church
NEW YORK (UMNS) — Outside the U.S., women’s issues are complex and intertwined with cultural mores, religious beliefs and traditions, the top executive of the church’s mission agency told the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
Communion: The meal that makes us one
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — As one of two sacraments of The United Methodist Church, Holy Communion has become a practice repeated time and time again as nourishment for the journey of being a Christian. The United Methodist Board of Discipleship’s MaryJane Pierce-Norton shares the meaning of Holy Communion and reflects on World Communion Sunday in this video meditation. World Communion Sunday, an observance that focuses the attention of United Methodists on the universal and inclusive nature of the church, includes a special offering for scholarships.
Correction
An Oct. 2 item about the creation care team incorrectly referred to team Sotico Pagulayan as she. Pagulayan is a man.
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.