COVID19

The Rev. Asir Ebenezer, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India, speaks to the opening session of the “Gender and Sexual Diversities and the Faith Communities” seminar at the Methodist Educational Center in Chennai, India, on Jan. 19. From left to right are Bishop E. D. Yesurathnam, Chennai Area of The Methodist Church of India; Dr. V. Esther Kathiroli, executive secretary of the Tamilnad Christian Council; the Rev. Donald E. Messer, executive director of the Center for Health and Hope; Dr. N. M. Samuel, executive director of The C.A.R.E. Foundation in Namakkal, India; and Inba Ignatius, who has initiated a church ministry primarily with transgender members. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Donald E. Messer.

Faith communities help revive AIDS ministries in India

The National Council of Churches in India leads effort to revive HIV and AIDS programs overshadowed by the COVID pandemic and to advocate for gender and sexual diversity.

Mission and Ministry

Women console Kupakwashe Mberi, 8, who got emotional after Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa recognized him for his drumming performance during the United Methodist Zimbabwe East Conference Healing Convention at Mufusire Farm. “He gave me a token of appreciation and words of encouragement and wisdom. It touched me,” the boy said. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Church conventions help heal COVID-19 scars

Healing Conventions in the Zimbabwe East and West annual conferences brought together thousands of clergy and laity for a time of worship and fellowship. The meetings followed a four-year hiatus of in-person conventions.

Faith Stories

Garden girl Julia Eskridge shows off some of her gourds. During the COVID pandemic, visits to church members and neighbors often took place outside the front door. Photos courtesy of Kay Eskridge.

‘Garden girl’ brings joy, veggies to homebound

Visiting homebound church members may not be a popular pastime for most kids, but 7-year-old Julia Eskridge has been doing it since she was only 2. In the summer, she takes flowers and bags of produce grown in the family’s garden to those she visits.

Mission and Ministry

Children from the Philippi neighborhood in Cape Town, South Africa, pose for pictures after receiving meals at Masakhane Soup Kitchen. Many families in the community were hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The food kitchen currently operates twice a week and serves about 200 kids and some parents. Photo by Alvin Makunike, UM News.

United Methodist women feed community

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nokwanda Keleku and Vuyelwa Thanda started a soup kitchen in their home to feed disadvantaged children.

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