UM News Digest - Feb. 17, 2025

Missionaries leave mark in Zimbabwe
Liberians march for United Methodist Church
Responding to Los Angeles area fires

“God asks us all to plant seeds. He sends the rain, and I’m thankful for the ways he has allowed us to serve him so far.” — United Methodist missionary Jane Kies.

Larry and Jane Kies pose for a photo in Vumba, one of the scenic areas outside Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo courtesy of Larry Kies.

Missionaries leave mark on agriculture, education

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A recollection of The United Methodist Church’s development of agriculture and education in Zimbabwe over the past 30 years would be incomplete without mentioning Larry and Jane Kies. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries missionaries, who retired last year, played a pivotal role at the church’s Nyadire Mission and Africa University. Eveline Chikwanah has their story.

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United Methodist Communications
Liberians march for United Methodist Church
GBARNGA, Liberia — At the opening of the 192nd session of the Liberia Annual Conference, more than a thousand pastors and lay people marched in the streets of Gbarnga to reaffirm their membership in The United Methodist Church and to let everyone know that The United Methodist Church is alive and well in Liberia. Many wore T-shirts that proclaim “Love UMC.” Priscilla Muzerengwa has this video.
Watch video

California-Nevada Conference
Responding to Los Angeles area fires
PASADENA, Calif. — The disaster response ministries in the California-Nevada and California-Pacific conferences have joined forces to respond to the devastating and deadly fires in southern California. In addition, the Pacific-Northwest Conference is providing volunteers. United Methodists in Colorado, Montana, Mississippi, Texas and Arizona also have provided supplies, financial donations and gift cards. Steve Elliott of the California-Nevada Conference reports on the relief efforts in two parts.
Read Part 1
Read Part 2

Indiana Conference
Building donation expands ministry
KOKOMO, Ind. — Kokomo Urban Outreach, which is dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty and empowering youth, has used a generous donation to expand. Main Street United Methodist Church donated its building to the ministry, which gives it 35,000 more square feet for its work. The expansion enables Kokomo Urban Outreach to serve 1,000 children with educational, life skills and work-readiness programs. Indiana Conference staff have the story.
Read story

Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Report looks at experience of clergywomen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference’s Commission on the Status and Role of Women and the conference cabinet collaborated on a study of the experience of clergywomen in the conference. The study included a survey of clergywomen, focus groups and the review of pay and other data.
Read report (PDF)

UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.

Discipleship Ministries
Connecting with older adults
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Lea Harding, whose passion is ministering to people in long-term care facilities, offers three tips for those who would like to do the same thing. “Visits to a long-term-care facility may feel like a dreaded chore,” she writes. “But as you become more familiar with a facility and the people who reside there, the visits become more like visits to one’s own family. I invite you to step out of your comfort zone and make someone’s day — just by visiting.”
Read commentary

Archives and History
Registration open for pilgrimage tour
MADISON, N.J. — A weeklong tour of United Methodist historic sites in the northeast is open for registration. The American Methodist Pilgrimage, with pricing starting at $1,999, will begin Oct. 12 in New York and also visit Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. “When we visit some of the historical Methodist sites, we better understand how churches and Methodists across these centuries not only grew our denomination but also impacted movements within our nation,” said Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.
Read press release
Register