NEWS AND FEATURES
Sierra Leone Conference approves protocol
KOIDU CITY, Sierra Leone (UM News) — The Sierra Leone Conference voted to be the second United Methodist annual conference to approve and send to the 2020 General Conference legislation for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, a plan for an amicable separation of the denomination. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Fostering healthy smiles in Zimbabwe
CHIMANIMANI, Zimbabwe (UM News) — One thousand rural schoolchildren have brighter smiles thanks to a two-week dental outreach program led by The United Methodist Church and a Swedish dental team with Dentists Without Borders. The program provides free services, including oral health education, fillings and extractions of broken and decayed teeth. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Greater Northwest Area
Big gatherings discouraged due to coronavirus
DES MOINES, Wash. — Because of the coronavirus, the City of Seattle, King County and Snohomish Health District are discouraging unnecessary large group gatherings of more than 50. United Methodist Bishop Elaine Stanovsky is requesting that churches in those areas follow the recommendations. “Currently, Public Health’s guidance means that churches are being asked not to gather large groups of people for worship, concerts or shared meals,” she wrote in a March 5 letter.
Read letter
Missouri Conference
Former professor now EarthKeepers instructor
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Janice Greene is still teaching after ending her long career as a university biology instructor. Now, she leads EarthKeepers meetings at Asbury United Methodist Church and elsewhere to share ideas about helping the environment.
Read story
World Council of Churches
‘Refugees and migrants are not missiles’
GENEVA — Clashes between Turkish and Syrian government forces in Syria’s Idlib province have taken a toll on Syrian civilians, and Turkey and Russia have a responsibility toward them, says the top executive of the World Council of Churches. “What is lost in this tragic situation,” observed the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, “is that refugees and migrants are not missiles to be launched against adversaries, or to be deflected like incoming projectiles. They are people — children, women and men — many of whom have fled for their lives from the horrors of war in Syria.”
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Read NPR story
RECENT HEADLINES
Retired pastor’s home lost to tornado
Series: The church responds to the opioid crisis
EVENTS
Monday, March 9-Monday, March 23
Online class: How to build and provide online courses
Sierra Leone Conference approves protocol
KOIDU CITY, Sierra Leone (UM News) — The Sierra Leone Conference voted to be the second United Methodist annual conference to approve and send to the 2020 General Conference legislation for the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, a plan for an amicable separation of the denomination. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read story
Fostering healthy smiles in Zimbabwe
CHIMANIMANI, Zimbabwe (UM News) — One thousand rural schoolchildren have brighter smiles thanks to a two-week dental outreach program led by The United Methodist Church and a Swedish dental team with Dentists Without Borders. The program provides free services, including oral health education, fillings and extractions of broken and decayed teeth. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
Greater Northwest Area
Big gatherings discouraged due to coronavirus
DES MOINES, Wash. — Because of the coronavirus, the City of Seattle, King County and Snohomish Health District are discouraging unnecessary large group gatherings of more than 50. United Methodist Bishop Elaine Stanovsky is requesting that churches in those areas follow the recommendations. “Currently, Public Health’s guidance means that churches are being asked not to gather large groups of people for worship, concerts or shared meals,” she wrote in a March 5 letter.
Read letter
Missouri Conference
Former professor now EarthKeepers instructor
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Janice Greene is still teaching after ending her long career as a university biology instructor. Now, she leads EarthKeepers meetings at Asbury United Methodist Church and elsewhere to share ideas about helping the environment.
Read story
World Council of Churches
‘Refugees and migrants are not missiles’
GENEVA — Clashes between Turkish and Syrian government forces in Syria’s Idlib province have taken a toll on Syrian civilians, and Turkey and Russia have a responsibility toward them, says the top executive of the World Council of Churches. “What is lost in this tragic situation,” observed the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, “is that refugees and migrants are not missiles to be launched against adversaries, or to be deflected like incoming projectiles. They are people — children, women and men — many of whom have fled for their lives from the horrors of war in Syria.”
Read story
Read NPR story
RECENT HEADLINES
Retired pastor’s home lost to tornado
Series: The church responds to the opioid crisis
EVENTS
Monday, March 9-Monday, March 23
Online class: How to build and provide online courses
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