“The church was everything for him, as a pastor, a teacher, a mission worker in Angola and a bishop.” — Lucia Fernandes Slanislas, daughter of Bishop Moisés Domingos Fernandes.
Bishop Fernandes, leader amid Angolan civil war, dies at 78
LUANDA, Angola (UMNS) — Bishop Moisés Domingos Fernandes, who led United Methodists in East Angola during his nation’s devastating civil war and braved a rebel attack, died April 6. He was 78. Heather Hahn has his obituary.
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Civil rights tour 'very impactful' for Hispanic youth
DALLAS (UMNS) — Hispanic youth from Dallas had an eye-opening spring break, taking a civil rights history tour of the South, thanks to the United Methodist National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry. The Rev. Amy Spaur described the tour as “very impactful” for the young people from her church. Sam Hodges reports.
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Migration remains mission priority
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The number of forcibly displaced people across the globe — 66 million — is at a record high, says Erol Kekic of Church World Service, one of nine certified U.S. refugee resettlement operations and a United Methodist partner. He spoke during an all-day seminar at the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, which has affirmed the issue of migration as a continuing high priority. The March 30 session was in preparation for an interagency workshop the following day.
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United Methodist agencies pull together in migrant ministries
WCC: End 'culture of impunity' in Syria
GENEVA (WCC) — In the wake of news reports relaying a horrific chemical weapons attack in the Idlib Governance of Syria, the World Council of Churches top executive called for a cultural shift in the region as he expressed deep sympathy to the families of the victims.
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District sponsors 'Steeple to Street' day
LAKELAND, Fla. (UMNS) — The North Central District of the Florida Conference will have a “From the Steeple to the Street” event April 8, challenging churches to take God’s work to the sidewalks, city parks and fast-food restaurants. The effort links with the conference’s Fresh Expressions initiative to move church beyond church walls. The conference’s Doug Long reports.
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Tractor-trailer takes out historic church
WELLERSBURG, Pa. (UMNS) — The historic building of Mount Harmony United Methodist Church appears to be a total loss after a tractor-trailer truck crashed into it April 4. Jackie Campbell reports for the Western Pennsylvania Conference.
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Wespath fund responds to conference concerns
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UMNS) — The denomination’s Wespath Benefits and Investments has revised the investment guidelines of its Equity Social Values Plus Fund, one of its 10 funds. The revisions address concerns raised by annual conferences about investments in fossil fuels and specific companies identified with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The revised fund is open only to Wespath’s institutional clients and individuals in certain retirement plans who self-direct their accounts. These changes do not affect any other Wespath funds.
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LOOKING AHEAD
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.
Sunday, April 9
Palm/Passion Sunday — This holy day recapitulates the beginning and end of Christ’s final week in Jerusalem. Discipleship Ministries offers worship resources. Details
Sunday, April 9 to Saturday, April 15
Holy Week — Holy Week is the heart of the church’s ritual, theological and missional life. Everything we do in worship, doctrine and mission springs from this week. Discipleship Ministries has worship resources, including its “Through Death to Life" series. Details
See more United Methodist events
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