“I thank God Almighty for sending us missionary (Innocent) Afful, who is always on the radio talking about the needs of the orphanages. When our children see him, they know that there is good news coming.” — Arnold Ngala, supervisor of an orphanage in Kinkole, Congo.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church radio drums up support for orphans
KINSHASA, Congo (UM News) — Lokole Methodist Radio dedicates 30 minutes on air every Saturday morning to lifting up the cause of vulnerable children. The program, “30 Minutes with the Orphans,” is an initiative of Innocent Afful, a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, who serves as the coordinator for orphans and vulnerable children for the Churches of Christ in Congo. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
Read story
Status and Role of Women, University of West Alabama
Alice Lee inducted into women's hall of fame
LIVINGSTON, Ala. — Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, helped induct longtime United Methodist leader Alice Lee into the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame on March 2 at the University of West Alabama. The late Lee, older sister of famed author Harper Lee, was a female legal pioneer in south Alabama who practiced law in Monroeville from 1944 until she was nearly 100. She was inducted into the hall alongside fellow attorney Mahala Dickerson.
Read UWA story
Read UM News remembrance
Great Plains Conference
Church vandals cause more than $50K in damages
LINCOLN, Neb. — Two youths who apparently snuck into Lincoln First United Methodist Church on Ash Wednesday caused more than $50,000 in damages from vandalism. According to Lincoln police, most of the damage took place in the church’s sanctuary, including discharging a fire extinguisher. David Burke reports.
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Greater Northwest Area
How a church brings touch of Eden to community
SPOKANE, Wash. — A group at Covenant United Methodist Church wanted to find a fruitful purpose for a 1-acre empty lot. The result is Eden Community Gardens. Sharon Arnold describes the multi-step process the church undertook to establish a garden that serves a food bank and will soon have space for gardening classes.
Read story
RESOURCES
North Carolina Conference
Webinar highlights church’s hope for future
GARNER, N.C. — The North Carolina Conference’s Center for Leadership Excellence will host a webinar on utilizing The United Methodist Church’s challenges as a catalyst for joining Christ in mission. Retired Bishop Will Willimon will lead “Don’t Look Back: United Methodist Hope for the Future,” a webinar aimed at laity, from 7 to 8 p.m. U.S. Eastern time March 9.
To learn more and register
Greater New Jersey Conference
Christian leadership podcast returns
NEPTUNE, N.J. — After a four-year hiatus, the award-winning “Uncovered Dish” Christian leadership podcast is back, with hosts Gabby Corbett and James Lee having conversations with experts in the fields of leadership, ministry and technology. The first episode explores the ethical implications of using ChatGPT and Generative AI in ministry.
Listen to podcast
RECENT HEADLINES
Prison ministries transform inmates, volunteers
Faith communities can aid transition from prison
EVENTS
Tuesday, March 14
Webinar: The Church Audit — It’s Easier Than You Think
Sunday, March 19
UMCOR Sunday
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