“We were all afraid of the way the rain and wind were increasing, and we began to pray to implore the hand of the Lord on us, as we already felt in danger. All of a sudden, we saw the roof ripped off the building.” — Musolo Kongolo, deputy director of the women's school at United Methodist Mulungwishi Mission in Congo.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Storm destroys parts of church mission in Congo
MULUNGWISHI, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s Mulungwishi Mission suffered significant damage during recent storms. The mission in the South Congo/Zambia Episcopal Area houses a university, a women's school and a medical clinic as well as elementary and secondary schools. John Kaumba reports.
Read story
Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe
United Methodists step up for Ukrainian refugees
ZURICH — As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, United Methodists in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia are helping Ukrainian refugees with housing, meals, clothing, transportation and more. Urs Schweizer has a full, up-to-date account of United Methodist efforts.
Read report
National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists
Global prayer service for Ukraine on March 26
BURLINGTON, N.C. — A global prayer service for Ukraine will occur via Zoom and Facebook on Saturday, March 26, beginning at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time. United Methodists in Ukraine are scheduled to participate, and among the host groups of the ecumenical event is the National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists.
Read about event
Watch on Zoom
Burundi Conference
Church hospital in Burundi opens
KAYERO, Burundi — The March 19 ribbon-cutting for the Bishop Jean Alfred Ndoricimpa Memorial Hospital represents a dream finally realized for United Methodists in Burundi, as well as others in the country. The United Methodist facility, named for the late African United Methodist bishop, will provide lifesaving care in an underserved area. Burundi’s minister of health joined United Methodist Bishop Daniel Wandabula in attending the dedication. Niyiragira Ladislas reports.
Read story
United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries
$2.5 million grant will support dozens of camp projects
LITTLETON, Colo. — As nonprofit organizations, United Methodist-affiliated camps and retreats are used to doing big things with small dollars. Thanks to a $2.5 million Ministry Impact grant to the United Methodist Camps & Retreat Ministries Association, 86 projects across the U.S. will have more secure funding. Jen Burch reports.
Read story
Fox4News.com
Church raises more than $57,000 for Ukraine
PLANO, Texas — St. Andrew United Methodist Church held a March 21 “United With Ukraine” concert, with 100% of proceeds going to the United Methodist Committee on Relief for assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra were among the musicians. Despite the threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes, a big crowd attended, raising just over $57,000.
Watch pre-concert video report
EVENTS
Sunday, March 27
UMCOR Sunday
Monday, April 4-Monday, May 30
Online course: Journey Through the Psalms
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Blessed be their Ukrainian ties
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (UM News) — For United Methodists with close ties to Ukraine, the Russian invasion of that country is an ever-present, wrenching concern. It’s also an occasion to try to help. Webinars about Ukraine. Community rallies for Ukraine. Fundraisers for Ukrainian refugee relief. United Methodists with connections to Ukraine have been doing these and more. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Church in Nigeria welcomes first Deaf congregation
MUTUM BIYU, Nigeria (UM News) — The Nigeria Episcopal Area recently welcomed its first church for the Deaf community. First Wesleyan United Methodist Church of the Deaf has 30 members and will be led by Deacon Albert A. Pena, the denomination’s first ordained Deaf pastor in the region. Ezekiel Ibrahim reports.
Read story
Kenyan churches help with COVID-19 vaccinations
NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — Challenged by reluctance to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, United Methodist churches in Kenya launched a campaign to dismantle stigma and distrust. A joint effort by Christian, Hindu and Muslim faith groups has resulted in more than 1,000 people receiving vaccinations since December 2021. Two United Methodist churches also are serving as vaccination stations. Gad Maiga reports.
Read story
Zimbabweans with albinism ‘feel remembered, loved’
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Through a partnership between The United Methodist Church’s Harare East District and the Western Pennsylvania Conference, 73 Zimbabweans living with albinism recently received sunscreen, hats and food baskets. Some of the recipients shared the challenges they face, including discrimination. Eveline Chikwanah and Kudzai Chingwe have the story.
Read story
Commentary: Should Bibles be banned?
DALLAS (UM News) — The rationale that some school boards are using for banning books could apply to the Bible also, writes Dr. Kendra Weddle, scholar-in-residence at Northaven Church in Dallas. However, stories in the Bible that contain violent or "adult" content are worth reading and offer valuable insights, she said.
Read commentary
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Storm destroys parts of church mission in Congo
MULUNGWISHI, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s Mulungwishi Mission suffered significant damage during recent storms. The mission in the South Congo/Zambia Episcopal Area houses a university, a women's school and a medical clinic as well as elementary and secondary schools. John Kaumba reports.
Read story
Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe
United Methodists step up for Ukrainian refugees
ZURICH — As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, United Methodists in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia are helping Ukrainian refugees with housing, meals, clothing, transportation and more. Urs Schweizer has a full, up-to-date account of United Methodist efforts.
Read report
National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists
Global prayer service for Ukraine on March 26
BURLINGTON, N.C. — A global prayer service for Ukraine will occur via Zoom and Facebook on Saturday, March 26, beginning at 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time. United Methodists in Ukraine are scheduled to participate, and among the host groups of the ecumenical event is the National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists.
Read about event
Watch on Zoom
Burundi Conference
Church hospital in Burundi opens
KAYERO, Burundi — The March 19 ribbon-cutting for the Bishop Jean Alfred Ndoricimpa Memorial Hospital represents a dream finally realized for United Methodists in Burundi, as well as others in the country. The United Methodist facility, named for the late African United Methodist bishop, will provide lifesaving care in an underserved area. Burundi’s minister of health joined United Methodist Bishop Daniel Wandabula in attending the dedication. Niyiragira Ladislas reports.
Read story
United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries
$2.5 million grant will support dozens of camp projects
LITTLETON, Colo. — As nonprofit organizations, United Methodist-affiliated camps and retreats are used to doing big things with small dollars. Thanks to a $2.5 million Ministry Impact grant to the United Methodist Camps & Retreat Ministries Association, 86 projects across the U.S. will have more secure funding. Jen Burch reports.
Read story
Fox4News.com
Church raises more than $57,000 for Ukraine
PLANO, Texas — St. Andrew United Methodist Church held a March 21 “United With Ukraine” concert, with 100% of proceeds going to the United Methodist Committee on Relief for assistance to Ukrainian refugees. Members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra were among the musicians. Despite the threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes, a big crowd attended, raising just over $57,000.
Watch pre-concert video report
EVENTS
Sunday, March 27
UMCOR Sunday
Monday, April 4-Monday, May 30
Online course: Journey Through the Psalms
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Blessed be their Ukrainian ties
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (UM News) — For United Methodists with close ties to Ukraine, the Russian invasion of that country is an ever-present, wrenching concern. It’s also an occasion to try to help. Webinars about Ukraine. Community rallies for Ukraine. Fundraisers for Ukrainian refugee relief. United Methodists with connections to Ukraine have been doing these and more. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Church in Nigeria welcomes first Deaf congregation
MUTUM BIYU, Nigeria (UM News) — The Nigeria Episcopal Area recently welcomed its first church for the Deaf community. First Wesleyan United Methodist Church of the Deaf has 30 members and will be led by Deacon Albert A. Pena, the denomination’s first ordained Deaf pastor in the region. Ezekiel Ibrahim reports.
Read story
Kenyan churches help with COVID-19 vaccinations
NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — Challenged by reluctance to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, United Methodist churches in Kenya launched a campaign to dismantle stigma and distrust. A joint effort by Christian, Hindu and Muslim faith groups has resulted in more than 1,000 people receiving vaccinations since December 2021. Two United Methodist churches also are serving as vaccination stations. Gad Maiga reports.
Read story
Zimbabweans with albinism ‘feel remembered, loved’
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Through a partnership between The United Methodist Church’s Harare East District and the Western Pennsylvania Conference, 73 Zimbabweans living with albinism recently received sunscreen, hats and food baskets. Some of the recipients shared the challenges they face, including discrimination. Eveline Chikwanah and Kudzai Chingwe have the story.
Read story
Commentary: Should Bibles be banned?
DALLAS (UM News) — The rationale that some school boards are using for banning books could apply to the Bible also, writes Dr. Kendra Weddle, scholar-in-residence at Northaven Church in Dallas. However, stories in the Bible that contain violent or "adult" content are worth reading and offer valuable insights, she said.
Read commentary
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