“As a missionary, I pray for the unity of the church. God is God of all, no matter who you are.” —
The Rev. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka, who along with his wife, Francine, is a United Methodist missionary in Côte d’Ivoire.
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
NEWS AND FEATURES
Missionaries help growth in West Africa
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — A married couple shows how United Methodist missionaries wed evangelism and development in missionary work. Helping to make their efforts possible is support from diverse local churches with views across the theological spectrum. Heather Hahn has the story and Mike DuBose has the photos.
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Read series: Singing the gospel in Côte d’Ivoire
Messaging system connects United Methodists
BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo (UMNS) — Communicators in Africa are using text alerts as a tool for evangelism and to share news of The United Methodist Church. The UMConnect messaging program also is being used to promote better health in the community. A pregnant mother of three who now gets text reminders about medical appointments said she lost her eldest son because he didn’t get vaccinations on time. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports.
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Virginia Conference
Church closes building, finds rebirth
RICHMOND, Va. — The small congregation of Boulevard United Methodist Church was coping with an old building, focusing more on maintenance than ministry. Madeline Pillow reports how the congregation made the decision to sell its building and rethink its ministry.
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PRESS RELEASES
The Upper Room
Upper Room launches ‘Discovery Weekend’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Upper Room announces the launch of Discovery Weekend, a spiritual formation retreat program for middle school students to be held in local congregations. Thirty-two U.S. churches already have tested the program.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Board announces leadership strategy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has announced the launch of CONNECT ANEW, a campaign that encompasses the agency’s work to meet the evolving leadership needs of the church.
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Scarritt Bennett Center
Wilke elected to lead Scarritt Bennett Center
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sarah Wilke, who has served as interim executive director of Scarritt Bennett Center since January 2017, has been elected by the center’s board to serve on a permanent basis, effective immediately. Wilke previously served as publisher and world editor of Upper Room Ministries.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Quiz on the denomination's first 50 years
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — The first decades since The United Methodist Church was formed on April 23, 1968, have been filled with highlights. Test your knowledge of the denomination’s first 50 years.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops begin high-stakes deliberations
Mexican-American teens take civil rights tour
EVENTS
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Monday, May 21-Friday, June 1
Online class: Using technology in the church — presentations and games
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