"I’m part of a connectional ministry. …When we are part of The United Methodist Church, there’s no east, no west, no north, no south. We are all one, part of one big family." — Edward L. Massaquoi, station manager for 98.7 ELUM, operated by The United Methodist Church of Liberia.
Liberian radio transmits hope
MONROVIA, Liberia (UMNS) — Community radio is one of the most important information outlets in Africa. During Liberia’s 2014-15 Ebola outbreak, United Methodist-run ELUM was a prime resource for disseminating news and health tips to combat the disease. Joey Butler reports.
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Unique school project for Macedonia's Roma
OHRID, Macedonia (UMNS) — Twenty-two Roma children are participating in a unique school project of The United Methodist Church in Macedonia. The project offers education, practical help and hope to children whose families often face discrimination. Christina Cekov and Urs Schweizer have the story.
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Church on fastest-growing list
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection is ranked 31 on Outreach Magazine’s 2017 list of the 100 fastest-growing churches in the U.S. The magazine looks each year at Protestant churches with more than 1,000 in attendance. In previous years, the magazine has featured the United Methodist congregations of Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Impact Church near Atlanta.
Read Outreach Magazine list
Read UMNS story on Embrace
Read UMNS story on Impact
Pastor brings rap beat to Scripture
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Rev. Matt Kern picked up rap when he was in high school, his way of getting out some teenage angst. Now he’s using it in his ministry at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Yvette C. Hammett has the story for the Florida Conference.
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Does your church share space?
DELAWARE, Ohio — Many congregations share their facilities, using the spaces at different times in ways that meet each group’s specific needs. Paul Numrich, a professor at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, is researching the experiences, benefits and challenges encountered by congregations that have forged these relationships.
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To visit the online forum
Churches reach out via high school football
MARIANNA, Fla. — On Friday afternoons in the fall, the folks at First United Methodist Church of Marianna don’t have a lot of time to stand around and chat. The church is one of many across the Alabama-West Florida Conference taking an active role in the local high school football scene. Kari Barlow has the story on how churches reach out.
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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, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 8
Online workshop "Using the Common English Bible: A Primer" — The Common English Bible is the most recent translation that is supported by The United Methodist Church. This course will examine the unique translation features of the CEB and what it means to United Methodists in Bible study, preaching and personal reflection. This course is designed as a continuing education course for certified lay ministers and clergy. $30. Details
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