Mission

Pastor passes along blessings to orphans, widows

The many times God answered his prayers led the Rev. César Lodiha Akoka to start the first Volunteers in Mission club in his home of Kinshasa, Congo.

Theology and Education

An artist's rendering of Newbury Seminary in Newbury, Vermont, in 1839. The seminary would evolve into Boston University School of Theology. Betsey Dow Twombly became a teacher and head of "women's work" at the school in 1837 at the age of 19. Original image courtesy of Boston University School of Theology; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Pioneer in Methodism, Betsey Down Twombly

Betsey Dow Twombly was a pioneer in education for women and men and a leader in supporting women in mission.

Local Church

Corn is harvested from a field next to New Hope Bethel United Methodist Church outside Leipsic, Ohio, in 2010. Allen T. Stanton, author of “Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations,” suggests the church can be a leader in economic and community development. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Don’t count out small, rural churches

While the demise of small, rural churches sometimes seems irreversible as United Methodist faithful grow older, strategies are out there to revitalize these congregations by focusing on what their communities most need.

Local Church

The Rev. Juhee Lee, Kate Kim and Christine Song on violin, Cheongmoo Kang on bass clarinet, Beverly Rathbun on organ and Da Eun Ryu on piano record free hymns and special music for the Lenten season. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Yohan Go.

Clergy record free music videos for Lenten season

Two Korean United Methodist clergy shared free hymns and special music that can be used during the Lenten season and on Easter Sunday.

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