Environment

The Rev. John Shaver (left) and his friend, Rabbi Mark Blazer, look out at the rubble left of Community United Methodist Church in Pacific Palisades, Calif., where Shaver is pastor. The community of Pacific Palisades was mostly destroyed by the Palisades wildfire. Photo courtesy of Shaver, California-Pacific Conference.

Wildfires claim life of United Methodist

Church members are beginning to pick up the pieces even as they mourn great loss. Pastors hope to rebuild two churches destroyed by fire.

Local Church

Altadena United Methodist Church in Altadena, Calif., is reduced to rubble after the Palisades and Eaton fires swept through southern California. Experts warn that Los Angeles is not yet out of danger as the fires remain uncontained. Photo by the Rev. Garth Gilliam, district superintendent, California-Pacific Conference.

United Methodists see loss, offer relief as wildfires rage

Church members in the Los Angeles area are doing what they can to help people displaced by the fires while also mourning the loss of homes and church buildings.

Disaster Relief

Emma Asores (right) and Romuel “Dojoe” Flores walk among idled fishing boats in the Mozon II neighborhood in Rosario, Philippines. Typhoon Carina caused three oil tankers to sink in July, prompting the government to ban fishing in villages around Manila Bay. The United Methodist Church distributed rice to affected families in Tanza and Rosario in Cavite Province. Asores heads the women’s organization in Mozon II and Flores is a consultant with the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response unit. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Filipino United Methodists help fishing communities

After a typhoon and oil spill, church leaders joined with UMCOR and the local disaster response office to distribute rice and help combat climate change in coastal areas.

Social Concerns

Members of Grace United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, Pa., gather around their “Peace Pole,” installed to commemorate the Sept. 21 International Day of Peace and also in recognition of the charged political climate in the U.S. because of the presidential election. Photo courtesy of Grace United Methodist Church.

United Methodists react to US election

Some United Methodists are pleased with the return of Donald Trump to the White House in January, and others are heartbroken. Is there a middle ground?

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now