Local Church

Mission and Ministry
Women of Substance members sing during a Mountain Prayer Program at Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens in Harare, Zimbabwe. The group comprises single, divorced and widowed church members who participate in training in income-generating projects, prayer retreats and other excursions. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Single church members find support in sisterhood

United Methodist women in Zimbabwe’s Harare East District are discovering new ways to connect with God and each other through a partnership with the Indiana Conference.
Church Leadership
Participants at the Facing the Future 2025 conference take a dance break Oct. 7 at Sonesta Los Angeles Airport hotel in Los Angeles. The national conference examined the challenges of cross-cultural and cross-racial clergy. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Cross-cultural, cross-racial pastors seek revival

The Facing the Future conference offered space for United Methodist clergy to share challenges, recenter and envision ministry ahead.
Mission and Ministry
Volunteers with the Canaveral Port Ministry welcome cruise ship workers on leave while their ships are docked in Port Canaveral, Fla. The ministry provides respite for homesick seafarers far from their home countries. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Port ministry offers seafarers home away from home

Members of First United Methodist Church of Cocoa Beach, Florida, provide respite and a “home church” for cruise ship workers.
Faith Stories
Bishop Frank Beard uses fishing metaphors to launch his new evangelism program, Catching Like Jesus Ministries, during a sermon at Elkhart Faith United Methodist Church in Goshen, Ind. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Eyesight fading, bishop envisions new role as evangelist

After glaucoma forced him to step down from overseeing a conference, United Methodist Bishop Frank Beard is launching a new ministry as an evangelist. He is using his love of fishing to hook new disciples.

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