“The superintendent and pastors there are overwhelmed with local concerns, but they take time to stay connected to the church beyond their borders and let us know what they are doing to respond to human needs.” — The Rev. Üllas Tankler, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, on pastors in Ukraine.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Global Ministries
Ukrainian United Methodists keep working
ATLANTA — The small United Methodist communities in Ukraine continue to help their neighbors amid the chaos and violence of the Russian invasion. Elliott Wright writes about the priorities of the current United Methodist humanitarian work and shares background on the Methodist history and presence in the country.
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UM News: United Methodists in and near Ukraine help refugees
Church in East Congo celebrates 100 years
KINDU, Congo (UM News) — During a special Feb. 22 service, United Methodists of the East Congo Episcopal Area commemorated the centennial of the church in eastern Congo. The first American missionaries made a covenant with the local residents in February 1922. Chadrack Tambwe Londe and Judith Osongo Yanga have the story.
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Greater Northwest Area
Solar power coming to church retreat centers
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon-Idaho Conference’s Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries is working with the Oregon Clean Power Cooperative to install solar arrays at three sites. The Rev. Todd Bartlett explains the cost savings.
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North Georgia Conference
Church takes lead in affordable housing effort
ATLANTA — Mayor Andre Dickens held a press conference at Atlanta First United Methodist Church to announce the city of Atlanta’s Faith-based Land Development Initiative and introduce the church’s plan to build affordable housing in the city. The Rev. Jasmine Smothers, Atlanta First’s pastor, explained how the church plans to build two towers of housing on church property. Sybil Davidson has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops to church court: Can annual conferences leave?
WASHINGTON – The Council of Bishops is seeking a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether an annual conference can leave The United Methodist Church under current church law. During a special meeting held March 8 via Zoom, the bishops approved a request asking the church’s top court to address six questions related to conference disaffiliation.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Finance and Administration
Webinar offers introduction to UMCmarket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — UMCmarket.org aims to provide a way to support ministry while shopping online. The General Council on Finance and Administration will share tools for spreading the word about UMCmarket in a 30-minute webinar at 1:30 p.m. U.S. Central time March 24.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
Sierra Leone university celebrates first graduates
Addressing COVID-19 misinformation in rural Congo
EVENTS
Thursday, April 28-Sunday, May 1
Black Methodists for Church Renewal 55th General Meeting
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