“I am the firstborn of eight children. I want to run a company or a business in order to support my siblings. I have a lot of responsibilities.” — Belinda Numbi, a senior at Africa University.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Scholarships help students change Africa
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Africa University provides financial aid or scholarships to two-thirds of its students, said Jim Salley, president and chief executive officer of Africa University (Tennessee) Inc., one of three entities that run the United Methodist university in Zimbabwe. For students such as Berthia Mugwagwa and Belinda Numbi, the assistance is helping them fulfill their dreams. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
Read story
National Justice for Our Neighbors
The lasting impact of ‘paying it forward’
LEXINGTON, Ky. — In 2011, Melvi Cifuentes Paul was a high school graduate looking forward to college. Suddenly, she was deported to Guatemala, a country she didn't know, wondering if she would ever see her home or her parents in the U.S. again. That’s when Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, a Justice for Our Neighbors affiliate, entered the picture. Paul shares her story with National Justice for Our Neighbors.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Process helping churches discern their future
LANSING, Mich. — Through deep listening and conversation, three Michigan congregations have been meeting to discern whether they will remain United Methodist or disaffiliate. “Maybe God has given us this time to reflect and prepare for what is ahead,” said the Rev. Geri Hamlen, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Iron Mountain. Jack Harnish reports.
Read story
WTAJ
Church provides hundreds of free Thanksgiving meals
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. — DuBois United Methodist Church continued its annual tradition of offering free Thanksgiving meals to those in need. The program was started 10 years ago by the Rev. Lance Tucker, the church’s previous pastor. This year, volunteers prepared 400 meals. Tristan Klinefelter reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
The United Methodist Church in Germany
Germans approve full LGBTQ inclusion
FRANKFURT — The Germany Central Conference, meeting in a special called session Nov. 24-26, approved adapting denomination policy in its area to allow for full LGBTQ inclusion, including as ordained clergy. The German United Methodist Church has formed what it’s calling a Community Federation “for those in the church who want to preserve their traditional view in this respect,” and has guaranteed the federation will be fully integrated into the denomination’s structure in Germany. Bishop Harald Rückert praised the roundtable decision-making process that led to what he called the “very precious gift” of unity among those with different convictions.
Read press release (PDF)
Baltimore-Washington Conference
600 churches to offer car charging
NEW YORK — Churches in Maryland, the District of Columbia and West Virginia are set to offer charging stations for electric vehicles under a new agreement with New York-based Charge Enterprises. Baltimore-Washington Conference leaders say the plan will expand the church's ministry of being good stewards of the environment and offer equity to people in underserved communities. Charge and the conference will explore arrangements that allow the chargers to be installed at no cost to the congregations.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Women’s commission at 50, still a long way to go
Ask The UMC: Is Advent about preparing for baby Jesus?
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices
Monday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 21
From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
NEWS AND FEATURES
Scholarships help students change Africa
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Africa University provides financial aid or scholarships to two-thirds of its students, said Jim Salley, president and chief executive officer of Africa University (Tennessee) Inc., one of three entities that run the United Methodist university in Zimbabwe. For students such as Berthia Mugwagwa and Belinda Numbi, the assistance is helping them fulfill their dreams. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
Read story
National Justice for Our Neighbors
The lasting impact of ‘paying it forward’
LEXINGTON, Ky. — In 2011, Melvi Cifuentes Paul was a high school graduate looking forward to college. Suddenly, she was deported to Guatemala, a country she didn't know, wondering if she would ever see her home or her parents in the U.S. again. That’s when Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, a Justice for Our Neighbors affiliate, entered the picture. Paul shares her story with National Justice for Our Neighbors.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Process helping churches discern their future
LANSING, Mich. — Through deep listening and conversation, three Michigan congregations have been meeting to discern whether they will remain United Methodist or disaffiliate. “Maybe God has given us this time to reflect and prepare for what is ahead,” said the Rev. Geri Hamlen, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Iron Mountain. Jack Harnish reports.
Read story
WTAJ
Church provides hundreds of free Thanksgiving meals
CLEARFIELD COUNTY, Pa. — DuBois United Methodist Church continued its annual tradition of offering free Thanksgiving meals to those in need. The program was started 10 years ago by the Rev. Lance Tucker, the church’s previous pastor. This year, volunteers prepared 400 meals. Tristan Klinefelter reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
The United Methodist Church in Germany
Germans approve full LGBTQ inclusion
FRANKFURT — The Germany Central Conference, meeting in a special called session Nov. 24-26, approved adapting denomination policy in its area to allow for full LGBTQ inclusion, including as ordained clergy. The German United Methodist Church has formed what it’s calling a Community Federation “for those in the church who want to preserve their traditional view in this respect,” and has guaranteed the federation will be fully integrated into the denomination’s structure in Germany. Bishop Harald Rückert praised the roundtable decision-making process that led to what he called the “very precious gift” of unity among those with different convictions.
Read press release (PDF)
Baltimore-Washington Conference
600 churches to offer car charging
NEW YORK — Churches in Maryland, the District of Columbia and West Virginia are set to offer charging stations for electric vehicles under a new agreement with New York-based Charge Enterprises. Baltimore-Washington Conference leaders say the plan will expand the church's ministry of being good stewards of the environment and offer equity to people in underserved communities. Charge and the conference will explore arrangements that allow the chargers to be installed at no cost to the congregations.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Women’s commission at 50, still a long way to go
Ask The UMC: Is Advent about preparing for baby Jesus?
EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 9-Friday, Jan. 20
Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices
Monday, Jan. 9-Saturday, Jan. 21
From Your Heart to Theirs: Delivering an Effective Sermon
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.