Social Justice

The Rev. Joel Q. Bengbeng (center), superintendent of the Ilocos South District in the Northwest Philippines, is among the United Methodist pastors from the Baguio Episcopal Area who say they have experienced harassment due to their social justice work. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Hinivuu Pecaat.

Filipino pastors fear for safety

Church leaders condemn attempts to intimidate pastors involved in social justice work.

Art from the book “By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, The Father of Gospel Music,” written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Bryan Collier. The story page includes the text, “I still heard spirituals of long ago, Remembered how they moved me so. Hardships woven into hymns I wrote — Every lyric, every note.” Image courtesy of Simon & Shuster.

Spotlighting black heroes in children’s books

A new children’s book tells the story of Methodist minister Charles A. Tindley, who worked his way up from childhood poverty to become a respected clergyman and hymn songwriter.

Evangelism

The Rev. Oscar Nyasha Mukahanana, Harare East District superintendent, distributes Holy Communion to children and others at Maximum Salvation United Methodist Church in Manresa, Zimbabwe. The church, near Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, serves inmates, officers and their families. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Zimbabwe area plants church for prisoners, officers

Maximum Salvation United Methodist Church offers spiritual support and counseling to inmates, prison officers and their families.

Theology and Education

James W. Story is working to preserve African American spiritual songs through an album and stage shows. Photo by Josh Cross, courtesy of Gallatin News.

Music educator devoted to preserving spirituals

The lifelong goal of musician James W. Story has been to preserve African American spiritual music, which inspired and instructed slaves as they traveled on the underground railroad toward freedom.

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