“When countless people gathered at Murewa Mission, the borrowed PA system could not reach out effectively to the furthest person. With this generous donation … we will go a long way to bring more to Christ.” — Christopher Ngoni Muponda, a United Methodist pastor in Zimbabwe.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Group helps amplify evangelism
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Successful church leaders and members from The United Methodist Church’s Murewa Mission formed the Plough Back Home Group to give back to their home district. They recently purchased a new public-address system, keyboard and generator to enhance United Methodist conferences and revivals. The group says the gifts will help with evangelism efforts and also to keep youth in the church. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Coffee meetup gathers steam
IROQUOIS, S.D. — A humble offering of coffee and rolls one morning a month marked the first foray into Fresh Expressions for Iroquois United Methodist Church. The church is gathering increasing crowds the second Thursday of every month in this town of 294 people. Mayor Jim Hulbert has been known to show up. Fresh Expressions are efforts to minister to unchurched people who aren’t interested in traditional Sunday morning worship services. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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UM News: Fresh Expressions movement offers hope
United Methodist Communications
Unsung Heroes of Methodism: Mary Bosanquet
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In honor of International Women’s Day today, learn more about one of the “Unsung Heroes of Methodism.” Mary Bosanquet Fletcher was a preacher, author, theologian and a philanthropist. She wrote letters to John Wesley, urging him to recognize the calling of women to preach the Gospel, inspiring future generations of female leaders to embrace their callings. Philip J. Brooks shares her story in a series that lifts up lesser-known figures whose lives and witness have impacted the denomination.
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Iowa Conference
Churches bouncing back from disaffiliation votes
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two churches in Iowa report new enthusiasm and missions work in the aftermath of losing members because of disaffiliation votes. Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer has instituted projects such as weaving sleeping mats and working with the local Meals on Wheels and Head Start programs. After Community United Methodist Church in Ogden voted to stay with The United Methodist Church, it took a couple of months to mourn lost members, but now it claims its highest percentage of active people in years, with a new sense of renewal and excitement. Liz Winders, Courtney Levin and Katie Dawson report.
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Women Arise
Confronting oppression of Native people
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On an episode of the “Women Arise” podcast, the Rev. Murray Crookes, one of the only Alaska Native United Methodist clergy in Alaska, discusses how his community is progressing toward the goals of truth and reconciliation by revisiting the historical oppression of Native American people. He also shares his thoughts on belonging to a denomination that had a hand in the oppression.
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UM News: Alaskan church reaches out to Native community
PRESS RELEASES
Indiana Conference
Health grant goes to conference
CARMEL, Ind. — Indiana University Health has awarded a $150,000 grant to the Indiana Conference to address social determinants of health. Funds will support grants of up to $10,000 awarded to local churches that collaborate with others in the community to address issues such as mental health, food insecurity, addiction recovery, nonviolence and safe and affordable housing. Churches in Indiana may submit applications through April 10.
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EVENTS
Monday, March 18-Friday, March 22
Online course: The Language of Lent
Monday, April 8-Friday, May 17
Online course: Pastoral Care Training for Volunteers
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
What to know about General Conference plans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A two-day online orientation gave delegates and other observers a preview of what to expect at The United Methodist Church’s top policymaking assembly. This first of two United Methodist News stories on the orientation looks at the international General Conference’s logistics and order of business. Heather Hahn reports.
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A look at General Conference proposals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Legislation coming before The United Methodist Church’s top policymaking body deals with matters as varied as the denomination’s international structure, social teachings, ecumenical relations and budget. Last week’s online orientation gave a preview of some of the major proposals coming before General Conference delegates. Heather Hahn reports.
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Hope Chapel models Fresh Expressions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Hope Chapel illustrates how United Methodism can move with the times by embracing the street-level Fresh Expressions movement. The tiny chapel, part of the Word on the Street ministry run by the Rev. Charles DiRico, feeds and clothes people without judgment or intent to recruit them as church members. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story https://www.umnews.org/en/news/hope-chapel-models-fresh-expressions
A Fresh Expressions success story
Commentary: Regionalization support hardly unanimous
MUREWA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Rev. Forbes Matonga says the regionalization proposal going to General Conference will not get anything like unanimous support from African delegates, despite reports from the recent United Methodist Africa Forum gathering in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Matonga notes that the Africa Initiative, to which he belongs, opposes regionalization for The United Methodist Church.
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Commentary: Africans can do their own thinking
LUANSHYA, Zambia (UM News) — With General Conference looming, traditionalists have been calling for African United Methodists to oppose regionalization proposals and support extending disaffiliation opportunities to their continent. But the Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa, general secretary of the United Methodist African Forum, says Africans can decide for themselves on such issues.
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