“It was heartrending to see the crops being water-stressed daily until they were a write-off. All efforts and resources were lost. There is no harvest, not even a kilogram of maize grain can be salvaged.” — The Rev. Lancelot Mukundu, station chair at United Methodist Nyadire Mission.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Drought puts lives, church farms at risk in Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — El Niño-induced drought has left millions in the country facing hunger. The United Methodist Church’s efforts to boost food security in the region also suffered a huge blow, with church mission farms seeing major crop losses. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, through the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, supports maize production at four United Methodist mission farms. Those without irrigation systems have been the hardest hit. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
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Minnesota Conference
Korean church provides ‘miracle’ for Hispanic ministry
WORTHINGTON, Minn. — Jose “Angel” Franco had been praying for a van that would allow him to help more people through Cristo En Tu Ayuda, the Hispanic ministry he and his wife, Lourdes, started. Several months ago, his prayer was answered thanks to a Korean Methodist church located more than 6,200 miles away. Christa Meland has the story.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Quilters turn art into mission
GLENDALE, Ariz. — In spring 2021, two quilters were busy creating art with fabric at Dove of the Desert United Methodist. Meanwhile, in another room, a group was discussing the book “What Every Church Should Know About Poverty.” The quilters and book group have seen their work merge to support families involved in foster care. Nancy Cushman reports on the quilters’ various mission partnerships.
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South Carolina United Methodist Advocate
Conference approves withdrawal of 112 churches
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The South Carolina Annual Conference approved the separation of 112 churches across the state that have chosen to leave The United Methodist Church over sexuality and other concerns. That number represents about 13.4% of the conference’s 836 total churches. They are officially closing under a process initiated by the conference last year. Jessica Brodie reports.
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Louisiana Conference
Church’s legacy lives on in gift to Dillard
BATON ROUGE, La. — Newell United Methodist Church in Mandeville closed this year, but its 155-year legacy continues. Participants in the Louisiana Annual Conference learned June 13 that proceeds from the sale of the property will go to New Orleans’ Dillard University. The school is one of 11 United Methodist-related historically Black colleges and universities in the U.S. Mark Lambert has the story.
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RESOURCES
Religion and Race
Welcoming people of color to affirming congregations
WASHINGTON — During Pride Month in June, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers ways for lay and clergy leaders in church or ministry to become more explicitly welcoming, affirming of and in partnership with LGBTQIA+ people of color. “Welcoming People of Color to Affirming Congregations” offers a video and discussion questions to explore and plan out how churches may become more accessible and receptive across lines of race, class and clan.
View resource
United Women in Faith
Grants offered for renewable energy efforts
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith groups are encouraged to apply for $100 to $3,000 grants to develop or continue renewable energy efforts. Deadline for the first round of application review is July 31. The grants are intended to support many forms of projects, from installations to awareness and advocacy campaigns to training and event participation. Examples are solar, wind, small-scale hydro and geothermal efforts that are centered on justice and equity.
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RECENT HEADLINES
Church expands peace initiatives in Congo
Stories abound after the death of the Rev. James Lawson
EVENTS
Thursday, June 20-Saturday, June 22
New England Annual Conference
Thursday, June 20-Sunday, June 23
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