“Our charge in a fiduciary way and in a realistic way is not to try to deal with a future we can’t forecast but to deal with a reality of what is before us.” — The Rev. Steve Wood, board member of the General Council on Finance and Administration.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Board moves to slash general church funds
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency approved changes to apportionments that would cut more than $105 million from the 2021-2024 general church budget. The goal is to keep more funds within U.S. local churches, but that’s not guaranteed. Heather Hahn reports.
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Church helps people obtain birth certificates
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) — Without a birth certificate, a child in Zimbabwe cannot enroll in a government school, take national exams or receive social services or food aid. As adults, they can’t open a bank account or get a driver’s license and may have trouble finding employment. St. Paul United Methodist Church is working to break the cycle by helping those in need obtain proper documentation. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.
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World Methodist Council, World Council of Churches
Religious leaders remember UN’s Kofi Annan
GENEVA — The World Methodist Council and World Council of Churches were among the organizations remembering former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his contributions to peace and justice. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate died Aug. 18 at the age of 80. In 1998, the World Methodist Council honored him with the Methodist Peace Award in a ceremony at the Church Center for the United Nations.
Read World Methodist Council statement
Read World Council of Churches statement
Virginia Conference
Son follows father’s footsteps as church planter
FAIRFAX, Va. — The Rev. Minoo Kim has begun a new role in the life of his ministry — as a church planter. He will be pastor of a new site for Fairfax United Methodist Church. Kim said he assumes only one thing: that God is about to do a new thing. Forrest White reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Methodist Church in Britain
Irish pastor to take on regional role for Europe
LONDON — The Rev. Barry Sloan has been appointed, effective Jan. 1, 2019, as the Europe regional relationship coordinator for the Methodist Church in Britain. Sloan and his wife, Gillian, from the Methodist Church in Ireland, are mission partners currently serving with The United Methodist Church in Germany, where he will continue part time as director of evangelism.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Nhanala: 'Africa is ready' for second female bishop
Hispanic/Latino caucus supports One Church Plan
EVENTS
Thursday, Aug. 23
Poet’s Corner featuring Kerrie French
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