General Agencies

Dawn Wiggins Hare (right), top executive of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, becomes emotional as she and Harriett Jane Olson, United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith) chief executive officer, lament the failure of two amendments to the church's constitution focused on equality in the church for women and girls during the United Methodist Women Assembly 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. The Commission on the Status and Role of Women is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Women’s commission at 50, still a long way to go

The top executive of the agency advocating for women’s equality in the church reflects on how far they’ve come and what work still remains.

General Agencies

Cynthia Bond Hopson leads a meditation for General Council on Finance and Administration board members and guests during a worship service at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. Hopson called on the finance agency to be bold in a time of uncertainty. “Tomorrow is uncertain,” she said. “Today is all we have.” She serves as chief equity officer and assistant general secretary of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Amid church exits, work starts on record-low budget

United Methodist leaders agree that big changes are coming as the denomination grapples with rising church disaffiliations. But disagreements remain on how best to balance financial uncertainty with missional commitments.

General Agencies

Vlada takes shelter with her son, Dima, at the Poušť United Methodist church camp near Bechyně, Czech Republic in May, after fleeing their home near Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Leaders of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries said during their fall board meetings that they have approved, and have in process, more than $17 million for partners across Ukraine and neighboring countries that have taken in refugees from the war with Russia. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Ukraine a top priority for Global Ministries

The United Methodist Committee on Relief has approved more than $17 million so far to help the people of Ukraine, and more aid is on the way, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries announced during its fall meeting.

Faith Stories

Donald Reasoner (front), then coordinator of language interpretation services for The United Methodist Church’s Board of Global Ministries, is welcomed to the Icolo e Bengo United Methodist Church in Luanda, Angola, site of the 2006 West Angola Annual Conference. Reasoner, the son of missionary parents, has spent more than 30 years providing interpretation and translation for the denomination. To Reasoner’s right is Kathy L. Gilbert, a writer for UM News, now retired. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

A ministry of interpretation

The son of missionary parents, Donald Reasoner honed his communication skills by translating and interpreting for English-speaking visitors to Brazil.

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