TODAY’S HEADLINES
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Youth answer invitation to baptism
ELDERSBURG, Md. — On World Communion Sunday, Oct. 1, the Rev. Jenny Smith, pastor of Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church, waded into the Patapsco River to baptize 12 young people. It began with one youth at church camp who asked to be baptized and what followed, Smith said, “was a chain of young people witnessing one another step out to profess faith and be baptized.” Melissa Lauber reports.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Celebrating Laity Sunday with children
NEPTUNE, N.J. — Elizabeth Christie, who directs children’s ministries at Fritz Memorial United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, believes that children who have had steady, consistent, active involvement in the life of the church are capable of serving in laity roles such as worship leaders and committee members. As churches observe Laity Sunday on Oct. 15 this year, she lists several ways children can participate.
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PRESS RELEASES
Finance and Administration
Behr Paint named ministry partner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has added Behr Paint Company as its newest ministry partner. Behr now provides special discounts to churches and other United Methodist organizations. The company is committed to serving ministry projects in the denomination.
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EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 23-Friday, Nov. 3
Online course: Severe Mental Illness and the Church
Monday, Oct. 30-Wednesday, Nov. 1
Online course: Women's Ministries 3-Day Sampler
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Church focuses on pre-election civic education
KALEMI, Congo (UM News) — Five months before elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The United Methodist Church in the North Katanga Episcopal Area is conducting civic education to strengthen peace and cohabitation among the Congolese people. The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau has the story.
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Church in Congo helps thousands of displaced families
GOMA, Congo (UM News) — More than 15,000 displaced people from some 3,000 households received food, hygiene kits and other essential support from The United Methodist Church. The gifts were made possible by a $250,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief and United Methodist Global Ministries’ Global Health program. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports.
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Church in Nepal thrives despite religious restrictions
LALITPUR, Nepal (UM News) — Although official restrictions on religious work create challenges for church leaders in Nepal, migrant workers are returning from abroad with a robust faith that invigorates the small Christian community there, according to a United Methodist pastor in the mountainous country. The Rev. Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
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Partnership with East Angola celebrates 20 years
QUÉSSUA, Angola (UM News) — When Bishop Warner H. Brown was elected in 2000, he challenged churches in his episcopal area to provide salary support to clergy in the East Angola Conference. Today, the Mountain Sky Conference provides $50 a month to over 100 clergy and funds an agricultural program overseen by a missionary. Joey Butler reports.
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