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Education

Theology and Education
Graduates celebrate during Africa University’s 31st commencement ceremony June 7 at the United Methodist institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. With 622 graduates from 20 African countries joining its alumni across the continent, the university remains true to its mantra: “Leaders are made here.” Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

622 graduate at Africa University
The pan-African institution’s class of 2025 featured graduates from 20 African countries, with 59% women.
Theology and Education
A mosaic depicts the Holy Spirit descending upon Christ’s apostles in the form of flaming tongues. United Methodist bishops have released an eight-week Bible study titled “Pentecost People,” aimed at helping all church members experience the renewal of the Holy Spirit. Image by Holger Schué, courtesy of Pixabay.

Bishops offer Pentecost gift to the church
United Methodist bishops have released an eight-week Bible study titled “Pentecost People,” aimed at helping all church members experience the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Faith Stories
The Rev. Elaine A. Heath, former dean at Duke Divinity School and abbess at Spring Forest in Hillsborough, N.C., stands amid some of the crops at the farm portion of the 23-acre property that also contains two homes, large outdoor tables for community meals and a stage for entertainment. The monastic community is in stark contrast to Heath’s difficult childhood. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Pastor creates the community she longed for as a child
The Rev. Elaine A. Heath overcame a difficult childhood to make a successful career as a church leader and educator. Her latest incarnation is as the abbess of a new kind of Christian community.
Faith Stories
The Rev. Elaine A. Heath, a United Methodist elder and founder and “abbess” of Spring Forest, visits a herd of goats at the “intentional faith community” in Hillsborough, N.C. Spring Forest combines elements of monasteries and nunneries, regenerative farming, communes, churches and small businesses. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Growing a new kind of Christian community
Spring Forest in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is part monastery, part collective farm and part any number of other things.

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