“People are desperate, but at all costs they are trying to get up from the rubble, hoping that one day they will see their lives return to normalcy.” — The Rev. Dércia Marrengula on the impact of Cyclone Kenneth in northern Mozambique.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Cyclone relief efforts continue in Mozambique
PEMBA, Mozambique (UMNS) — Weeks after Cyclone Kenneth roared through northern Mozambique, killing 38 and causing massive flooding, survivors are struggling to rise up from the rubble. Cyclone Kenneth pounded the country six weeks after Cyclone Idai left a path of destruction in central Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. João Filimone Sambo has an update on the church’s relief efforts.
Read story
Read UMNS story: After the cyclone, faith abides
Dealing with AIDS in West Africa
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — A May 19-21 summit in Côte d’Ivoire will encourage United Methodists in the West Africa Central Conference to create their own plans of action for the continuing health crisis related to HIV and AIDS. The event is sponsored by the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee. Linda Bloom has a preview.
Read story
WTHR-TV
Hundreds attend Lugar funeral
INDIANAPOLIS — Leaders from across the country, including Vice President Mike Pence, gathered May 15 to say goodbye to former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. The service took place at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, which his family helped found.
Read story and watch video
UMNS: Faith laid foundation for Lugar’s public service
East Ohio Conference
Indigenous plight explored in ‘Blanket Exercise’
AKRON, Ohio — The KAIROS Blanket Exercise Team recently brought their presentation to Firestone Park United Methodist Church. The exercise illustrates how the church has contributed to the difficulties of indigenous people. Kairos is a Greek work meaning the right, critical or opportune moment. Brett Hetherington reports.
Read story and watch video
California-Pacific Conference
Bishop issues statement on pastor’s arrest
PASADENA, Calif. — California-Pacific Conference Bishop Grant Hagiya said he was “stunned and saddened” to learn of the arrest of the Rev. John McFarland, who was charged May 13 with 11 felony counts related to lewd acts with a minor. Hagiya reiterated the church’s “unequivocal opposition to abuse or misconduct of any kind, especially against children,” and said conference officials will fully cooperate with law enforcement. McFarland was most recently the pastor of Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton, although Hagiya’s statement said he was suspended from all clergy duties in December 2018.
Read statement
Read Los Angeles Times story
North Texas Conference
Church offers lunch, devotional to construction crew
ALLEN, Texas — A long construction project is underway at First United Methodist in Allen, and the church has reached out to the workers, providing lunch and a devotional every Friday.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
The Upper Room
Prayer ministry to rely on internet
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The already established online prayer wall will continue the work of The Living Prayer Center now that its call-in prayer line has been shut down. The change was made in recognition of the way people prefer to communicate, said the manager of The Living Prayer Center. Nicole Curtis reports.
Read story
UM Men on The Living Prayer Center
RECENT HEADLINES
Church future focus of annual conferences
Church awaits decision on sanctuary guest appeal
EVENTS
Saturday, June 15-Wednesday, June 19
Summer youth event at Lake Junaluska
NEWS AND FEATURES
Cyclone relief efforts continue in Mozambique
PEMBA, Mozambique (UMNS) — Weeks after Cyclone Kenneth roared through northern Mozambique, killing 38 and causing massive flooding, survivors are struggling to rise up from the rubble. Cyclone Kenneth pounded the country six weeks after Cyclone Idai left a path of destruction in central Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. João Filimone Sambo has an update on the church’s relief efforts.
Read story
Read UMNS story: After the cyclone, faith abides
Dealing with AIDS in West Africa
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) — A May 19-21 summit in Côte d’Ivoire will encourage United Methodists in the West Africa Central Conference to create their own plans of action for the continuing health crisis related to HIV and AIDS. The event is sponsored by the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee. Linda Bloom has a preview.
Read story
WTHR-TV
Hundreds attend Lugar funeral
INDIANAPOLIS — Leaders from across the country, including Vice President Mike Pence, gathered May 15 to say goodbye to former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar. The service took place at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, which his family helped found.
Read story and watch video
UMNS: Faith laid foundation for Lugar’s public service
East Ohio Conference
Indigenous plight explored in ‘Blanket Exercise’
AKRON, Ohio — The KAIROS Blanket Exercise Team recently brought their presentation to Firestone Park United Methodist Church. The exercise illustrates how the church has contributed to the difficulties of indigenous people. Kairos is a Greek work meaning the right, critical or opportune moment. Brett Hetherington reports.
Read story and watch video
California-Pacific Conference
Bishop issues statement on pastor’s arrest
PASADENA, Calif. — California-Pacific Conference Bishop Grant Hagiya said he was “stunned and saddened” to learn of the arrest of the Rev. John McFarland, who was charged May 13 with 11 felony counts related to lewd acts with a minor. Hagiya reiterated the church’s “unequivocal opposition to abuse or misconduct of any kind, especially against children,” and said conference officials will fully cooperate with law enforcement. McFarland was most recently the pastor of Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton, although Hagiya’s statement said he was suspended from all clergy duties in December 2018.
Read statement
Read Los Angeles Times story
North Texas Conference
Church offers lunch, devotional to construction crew
ALLEN, Texas — A long construction project is underway at First United Methodist in Allen, and the church has reached out to the workers, providing lunch and a devotional every Friday.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
The Upper Room
Prayer ministry to rely on internet
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The already established online prayer wall will continue the work of The Living Prayer Center now that its call-in prayer line has been shut down. The change was made in recognition of the way people prefer to communicate, said the manager of The Living Prayer Center. Nicole Curtis reports.
Read story
UM Men on The Living Prayer Center
RECENT HEADLINES
Church future focus of annual conferences
Church awaits decision on sanctuary guest appeal
EVENTS
Saturday, June 15-Wednesday, June 19
Summer youth event at Lake Junaluska
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