"Do you understand how their lives will change if they get clean, safe water in their villages? They see the drillers coming and they follow, running and celebrating. There is hope." — Isidro Cumaio, on the importance of drilling wells to provide clean water in rural Africa.
NEWS AND FEATURES
'Water is Life' chronicles global struggle for clean water
MZIRA, Malawi (UM News) — More than 750 million people around the world lack reliable water access. In a photo project three years in the making, UM News photographer Mike DuBose documents the church's efforts to provide clean water to rural Africa, with reporting by Kathy L. Gilbert.
View photo feature
South Georgia Conference
Pastor has a grape idea for keeping connected
DUBLIN, Ga. — The unlikely combination of fruit and technology is helping one South Georgia pastor stay connected to her congregation in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The Rev. Cleo Gilchrist has turned to scuppernongs, a Southern variety of grapes, to help keep in contact with her parishioners. Kara Witherow has the story.
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Michigan Conference
1925 congregation photo returned
HALE, Mich. — A 1925 photo of the congregation of Saganing Indian Mission Church was gifted to the great-great granddaughter of the central person in the photo. The gift to Amy Alberts — the photo includes her relative Sodney Mukluakcush in full Native American regalia — comes after The United Methodist Church returned two acres containing the church and its cemetery to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Kay DeMoss reports.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Scholar inspired to help Black women heal
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lahronda Little wants to explore the concept of holistic salvation through the lens of Black women, especially those who have lost family members to police violence. Little, a 2020 Angella P. Current-Felder Women of Color Scholar and third-year doctoral student at Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, will be supported in her work by the scholarship and mentoring program. Jessica Love has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Bishops call for full participation in US election
WASHINGTON — Bishops in the U.S. called on United Methodists to encourage people to vote in the Nov. 3 elections. "The right of every citizen to vote in the United States is under attack, and with it, the foundation of American democracy and the sacred worth of all persons," said the Faith and Democracy statement signed by signed by 31 active and 28 retired bishops. Council President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey said the statement is not from the Council of Bishops, but is a conciliar statement by United Methodist episcopal leaders living in the United States. Other U.S. bishops also issued individual statements.
Read press release
Read full statement (PDF)
UM News: Churches urge voting
RESOURCES
Society of St. Andrew
Hunger relief group offers Advent devotions
BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew, a United Methodist-supported hunger relief ministry, is offering free Advent devotional booklets and daily email devotions for Nov. 29-Dec. 24. This year's theme is "Peace Be With You."
To order
Reclaiming more food to fill pandemic gaps
RECENT HEADLINES
Annual conferences persevere under financial strain
Grappling with how racism coexists with faith
EVENTS
Tuesday, Oct. 27
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