“We’re providing care for a lot of people who don’t have alternatives, so you can’t be depressed about that.” — Russ Johnston, founder of the free clinic at Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Holston Conference
Free clinic faces uncertain future
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The free clinic at Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church serves about 40 patients every Monday, sometimes as many as 60. Physicians, nurses, a social worker and volunteer coordinator donate their time. But the need for building repairs has the United Methodist ministry in limbo, reports Annette Spence.
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African bishops ready to transform agriculture
JOHANNESBURG (UMNS) — United Methodist bishops in Africa have pledged to transform agriculture from the current subsistence farming to commercial ventures that can financially support the church. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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African agriculture summit sparks new ideas, plans
Agriculture a ‘game changer’ for church in Africa
2018: The year in photos
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Talks of legislation and potential schism dominated UM News headlines last year, but there were also compelling images to be found in United Methodist ministries worldwide. Our photographers captured some of the visual stories of 2018.
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Northern Illinois Conference
Church outreach in the deep freeze
BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — Several churches across the conference opened their doors to the homeless and others seeking shelter from the extreme cold during area’s record-breaking temperatures. Anne Marie Gerhardt reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
North Central Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction’s bishops address GC2019 and aftermath
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — The bishops of the North Central Jurisdiction have released a joint statement on the 2019 Special Session of General Conference. “Know that whatever decisions the General Conference makes, the ministry to which we are called in our churches, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, will continue,” the statement says.
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United Methodist Communications
New ad campaign emphasizes God’s call
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications has launched a new advertising campaign that seeks to inspire church members and leaders to feel encouraged, assured and hopeful about the future of the denomination. “The Movement Continues” campaign reminds people of the church’s commitment to follow God’s call of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
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See ad and related resources
COMMENTARIES
Through a glass darkly
THE WOODLANDS, Texas (UMNS) — The Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of the unofficial advocacy group Good News, says the Traditional Plan is the most likely to be approved at the special General Conference. But he considers what might happen if no plan is approved.
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Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference
What won’t be missed at this year’s Super Bowl
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Rev. David Wilson, superintendent of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, said what he is looking forward to at Sunday’s Super Bowl is what won’t be there. “With the Rams verses the Patriots, there are no need for tomahawk chops or mocking drum beats from the stands. This will hopefully be a Super Bowl with the absence of degrading and derogatory chants toward Native Americans,” he writes.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Seeing a Way Forward: The Rev. Forbes Matonga
Investing in people on global scale
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