Poverty

Congregations
A child chooses a scooter at a Kids Free Christmas Shopping event sponsored by ARK and Velva United Methodist churches in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Dakotas Conference Facebook page.

Small churches offer place for kids to shop

Kids Free Christmas Shopping helps youngsters buy Christmas gifts for their families, and the price is right: free. ARK United Methodist Church in South Dakota and Velva United Methodist Church in North Dakota work together on the project each year. “It is such a joy to see the faces of the children … and the delight in the volunteers that are helping.”
Faith Stories
After worship services in the Bethany memory care unit, retired United Methodist Bishop Kenneth Carder goes around the room, greeting each resident by name. Carder was as interim chaplain at Bethany, part of the Heritage at Lowman senior community near Columbia, S.C. 2016 file photo by Matt Brodie.

Bishop shares path from poverty to prominence

Retired Bishop Kenneth Carder’s memoir charts his journey from humble beginnings to leadership in The United Methodist Church, and his discomfort along the way.
Poverty
A group of old Singer sewing machines sit in the pews at Bethlehem Methodist United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, Minn. Photo courtesy of Bethlehem Methodist United Methodist Church.

Sewing machine collection surpasses goal

An effort to collect 50 sewing machines to help disadvantaged people make a living has exceeded its goal. The Rev. Randy Koppen of Bethlehem United Methodist challenged the church’s quilting group to take on the project.
Disaster Relief
United Methodist pastors and disaster management team leaders evaluate a rainwater-harvesting tank that was installed a month earlier in the Novele community in the Davao Area of the Philippines. The United Methodist Church distributed the drums to more than 30 households and three community centers in the region. Pictured (from left to right) are the Rev. Marlyn N. Nabatilan, an unnamed neighbor, recipient Janeth Erandio, the Rev. Jerson Sanggo and team leaders Eddie Danglapen, Fe Tomas and Maurice Bigaran. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Dan Reuben L. Sison.

Water project improves lives in the Philippines

Davao Area Disaster Management Office disaster management team distributes drums to harvest rainwater to more than 30 families and three community centers in neighborhoods that don’t have a reliable source for clean water.

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