March 16, 2018
"It’s going to be a long, long time to rebuild — block by block, step by step, maybe many years, but the help is welcome. We feel relieved you are here. God brings the help." —— Angel de Jesus, on United Methodist efforts to help with hurricane recovery in Puerto Rico
NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists help Puerto Rico rise
HATILLO, Puerto Rico (UMNS) — Driving through San Juan and into the mountains of northern Puerto Rico, it’s hard to tell what is hurricane damage versus storm-exposed poverty. Almost six months after the island was hit by a double-whammy of storms — Hurricanes Irma and Maria — Jessica Brodie reports on United Methodist efforts to help. Matt Brodie provides photos.
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Filipino church grows amid war on drugs
ALUMPIT, Philippines (UMNS) — Amid the war on drugs in the Philippines, Danga United Methodist Church is seeing its membership grow. Attendance nearly tripled at the 28-year-old church after it hosted a three-month outreach program for former drug traffickers and addicts. Many of the participants and their families and neighbors have now joined the church. Gladys Mangiduyos reports.
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Texas Conference
Update on Harvey relief efforts
HOUSTON — Seven months after Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Conference is offering an update on its recovery work. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has proven to be a crucial partner, financially and in other ways. First United Methodist Church of Anahuac has received two awards for its relief efforts. Sherri Gragg reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Discipleship Ministries
Agency prepares for uncertainty
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Discipleship Ministries board at its spring meeting focused on how the agency can continue helping local churches make disciples even as the denomination faces great change. “We are relentlessly committed to reimagining and reshaping our agency to match the needs of the church we are becoming,” the Rev. Junius B. Dotson, the agency’s top executive, said.
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COMMENTARIES
Mission of the church as our Way Forward
EDMONTON, Canada (UMNS) — The Commission on a Way Forward got it right when the moderators said mission should be the driving force for the church, writes the Rev. Lloyd T. Nyarota.
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