"I had endured enough of walking long distances and humiliation and had lost my dignity. Had it not been because of the calling, the love of my job and my determination to bring people to Christ, I would have thought otherwise." — Learnmore Rungwandi, pastor in charge of Hwedza United Methodist Circuit in Zimbabwe, on the difficulties of ministering without a vehicle.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Partnership enhances mobility for pastor
WEDZA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — At Hwedza United Methodist Circuit, spread within a radius of 37 miles, the pastor traveled to four local churches monthly without a vehicle, often walking great distances and sometimes sleeping on the road. When the pastor and congregation at a sister circuit heard about Learnmore Rungwandi's journey, they jumped into action. Now she has a new vehicle and a new outlook on her ministry. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
Read story
Louisiana Conference
'Help is on the way' after Ida
BATON ROUGE, La. — Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey and the Rev. Bob Deich, disaster response coordinator, have done video updates on how the Louisiana Conference has been affected by and is responding to Hurricane Ida. "Help is on the way," Deich said.
Watch Harvey video
Watch Deich video
UM News: Hurricane Ida takes out church buildings
RNS: Faith-based disaster relief groups balance COVID safety, speedy response
Nigeria bishop convenes meeting to address violence
ABUJA, Nigeria (UM News) — Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, leader of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, organized a peace and reconciliation meeting on Aug. 17 following incidents of violence in the Karim Lamido area of Taraba state. Ramson Danjuma reports.
Read brief
Baltimore-Washington, Peninsula-Delaware conferences
Conferences begin affiliation under 1 bishop
WASHINGTON — Starting this month, the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware conferences are sharing a bishop for the first time since 1990. "This is not a merger!" said Bishop LaTrelle Easterling in a statement during a town hall. "This affiliation offers a fresh, new opportunity for collaboration, exploration and innovation."
Read Bishop Easterling's statement
UM News: US bishops take on expanded assignments
PRESS RELEASES
Connectional Table
Weekly series examines issues facing church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — "Tuesdays at the Table: Should I stay? Or should I go?" is a new discussion series for United Methodists, presented by the Connectional Table in cooperation with general agencies and contributors. As the church faces proposed separation and an ongoing pandemic, the weekly segments will explore topics aimed at helping viewers better understand their faith, their church and themselves. The sessions will premiere at 10 a.m. U.S. Central time Oct. 5-Dec. 21.
Read press release
Speaker information
Higher Education and Ministry
AU begins search for vice chancellor
MUTARE, Zimbabwe — Africa University's board of directors has opened a search for the United Methodist university's fifth vice chancellor. Bishop Mande Muyombo, chair of the search committee, said the group is working to identify a candidate who is ready to lead Africa University into its fourth decade of service. Munashe Furusa, the university's fourth vice chancellor, died in January.
Read press release
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
A lamentation with hope for Afghanistan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Watching the news of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan reminds the Rev. Thomas Kim of time he spent with missionaries there following his brother-in-law's death in a bombing. He noted that many questioned their mission in a country where they felt they weren't making a difference. The experience reminded him of similar attitudes of missionaries to Korea decades ago who never expected the country to prosper as it has.
Read commentary
California-Nevada Conference
Responding to the Caldor Fire
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — Over 30 of the Federated Church's families had to evacuate due to the Caldor Fire and many more were under an evacuation warning. The Rev. Laura Barnes, the new senior minister of the joint United Methodist and Presbyterian congregation, writes about the impact of the wildfire in the south Lake Tahoe region and her gratitude that California-Nevada Conference disaster response team members are on the scene.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years
Virus bedevils General Conference planning
EVENTS
Thursday, Sept. 9
"Sharing the Christmas Story, Sharing Our Faith: Advent Studies for Every Church."
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