East Congo: The long journey to peace

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The United Methodist Church is flourishing in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The denomination’s newest episcopal area was established in 2012, with offices in Kindu.

But much of the area is impassable because no roads exist in the region ransacked by years of civil wars. Violent outbreaks are still occurring in some parts of the country.

This series of stories and photos shines a spotlight on the many ministries and people of The United Methodist Church in a place rarely visited by members of the global church.
 

 

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Mission and Ministry
Chantal Naweza (left) weeds a community garden in the Ubwari region of eastern Congo. A project of The United Methodist Church, the community field fosters peaceful cohabitation and enables local community members to cope with economic problems. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Church expands peace initiatives in Congo

The United Methodist Church is using a multidimensional approach, including community-based agricultural initiatives, to combat interethnic conflict in the Eastern Congo Episcopal Area.
General Conference
Whether you follow Twitter, Facebook or the United Methodist News site, timely stories on what’s happening at General Conference 2024 will be available. UM News photographer Mike DuBose was captured at work during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. Photo by Kathleen Barry; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Following the news at General Conference

United Methodist Communications and United Methodist News have been preparing for the challenge of covering and publicizing developments of the long-delayed General Conference. Here’s how interested people can track the historic event, set for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Disaster Relief
Women wait for vegetable oil at the Malicha internally displaced camp in Fizi, Congo. The United Methodist Church distributed 74 tons of supplies to survivors of two fires that ravaged the camp in August and October. The aid included rice, corn flour, salt, sugar, beans, soap, toothbrushes and more. Photo courtesy of the East Congo Episcopal Area disaster management office.

Church helps survivors of fire in Congo

The United Methodist Church has provided food and other supplies to 5,000 survivors of two fires that ravaged a camp for displaced people.

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