UM News Digest - Jun 2, 2025

UM News Digest - Jun 2, 2025

Partnerships strengthen Zimbabwe health facilities
Nyadire Connection dedicates sixth rural clinic
With UMCOR grant, church broadens welcome

“Since we serve in the remote areas of Zimbabwe, our clinics are now better equipped, making them the preferred clinic of choice. Access to health care for all is improving.” — Bernard T. Mwashita, chair of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Health Board.

Children from The United Methodist Church’s Chikwizo Primary School in the Mutoko Mudzi District of Zimbabwe line up to get polio vaccinations at Chikwizo rural health clinic. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Partnerships strengthen Zimbabwe health facilities
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Support from partners across the United Methodist connection has improved services and infrastructure at church mission hospitals and clinics in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area over the past decade. Patients, health care workers and church leaders are touting the state-of-the-art equipment and upgraded facilities. Eveline Chikwanah reports.

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Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa holds newborn Clarence Rinomhota as his mother, Sarah Mushamba, looks on at Chindenga rural health clinic in Mutoko, Zimbabwe. The center, which was dedicated Feb. 22, is the final clinic under the United Methodist Nyadire Mission Hospital to be renovated. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa holds newborn Clarence Rinomhota as his mother, Sarah Mushamba, looks on at Chindenga health clinic in Mutoko, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Nyadire Connection dedicates sixth rural clinic
MUTOKO, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Through faith, perseverance and dedication, The Nyadire Connection’s dream of renovating rural health centers in Zimbabwe became reality with the completion of the final Nyadire Mission Hospital clinic. It was the fifth clinic to be revitalized by the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit since 2013, a project valued at more than $1.7 million. A sixth clinic was rebuilt by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.

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Oregon-Idaho Conference
With UMCOR grant, church broadens welcome
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Aloha United Methodist recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Welcome Center, a vibrant space dedicated to serving and uplifting the community. Funded by a Mustard Seed Grant through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the center stands as a testament to faith in action. The Rev. Cruz Edwin Santos has the story.
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New England Conference
Driven to help clergy stay on the road
METHUEN, Mass. — The United Methodist Pastors Auto Care initiative began with the Rev. Sunmin Cho’s vision. Recognizing that many United Methodist pastors struggle with vehicle maintenance and repair costs, Cho sought to help pastors by sharing his own car-repair knowledge and experience. Dohyung Cha reports.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Chaplain finds purpose in Air Force ministry
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. — The Rev. Capt. Luigi Perez Perez, an endorsed United Methodist chaplain with the U.S. Air Force, sees the world as his parish. With roots in Cuba, he views his calling as a continuation of his lifelong Methodist faith. “We are the peacemakers,” Perez said. “We go all over the world to minister to people. It’s a very Methodist thing.” The United Methodist Endorsing Agency has the story.
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World Council of Churches
Calling for protection of Armenian rights
BERN, Switzerland — United Methodist Bishops Rosemarie Wenner and Patrick Streiff were among the leaders at the Armenian Heritage Conference that called for the protection of Armenian human rights as well as the people’s religious and cultural heritage. Wenner is co-ecumenical officer for the Council of Bishops. More than 120,000 ethnic Armenians have been displaced in a territorial conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conference was hosted by the World Council of Churches in collaboration with the Protestant Church in Switzerland.
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Status and Role of Women
Female bishops in US outnumber males
CHICAGO — For the first time in United Methodist history, there are more female resident bishops in the U.S. than male bishops. There are 17 female bishops and 15 males. This information comes from a recently released report tracking how well women are represented in the leadership of The United Methodist Church. It was issued by the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
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United Theological Seminary
United president plans to retire in 2026
DAYTON, Ohio — The Rev. Kent Millard, president of United Methodist-related United Theological Seminary and a United Methodist elder, has announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. Under Millard’s leadership, United has become debt-free.
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