Europe

Asylum-seekers from Lebanon are greeted by Federica Brizi and Francesco Piobbichi of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy (center) upon their arrival in Rome in August 2017. The group obtained legal visas through the Humanitarian Corridors program of the federation, the Synod of Waldensian and Methodist Churches and the Community of Sant’Egidio, run by Mediterranean Hope. Photo courtesy of Mediterranean Hope.

Small churches play big role for refugees in Italy

Italian religious groups, including Methodists, have created a legal, safe pathway for Syrians and other vulnerable asylum seekers to resettle in Italy and the work is expanding.

General Church

Nordic and Baltic Area Bishop Christian Alsted says European and Eurasian delegates to the upcoming special General Conference are concerned about “political maneuvering” by caucus groups within The United Methodist Church. File photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

European, Eurasian delegates unhappy with lobbying

Delegates meet in Germany ahead of special session of General Conference

Mission and Ministry

The congregation of Finnsnes United Methodist Church in Finnsnes, Norway, joins passengers from the Hurtigruten commercial ferry in lighting candles in memory of loved ones to celebrate All Saints’ Day. Photo by Lise Løvland.

Norwegian church provides communion at the harbor

All Saints’ Day tradition connects congregation and community, offering people ‘a chance to see holiness in their own everyday lives.’

Evangelism

Presian Vlaiakov sings at the Sofia (Bulgaria) United Methodist Church. Vlaiakov, the son of a single mother, said his commitment to the church grew out of the love and help the church showed him as a child. Photo by the Rev. Mihail Stefanov.

Church provided family for Bulgarian boy

Presian Vlaiakov talks about how his commitment to the church grew out of the love and help the church showed him as a child.

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