United Methodist News

• Yambasu Agriculture Initiative empowers farmers January 26, 2023
  Program at West African center gives farmers hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture.
• Wespath expands services to Methodist kin January 26, 2023
  The United Methodist Church’s pension agency is now offering retirement benefits to both the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Global Methodist Church — building closer ties in a time of upheaval.
• Church responds to days of mass shootings January 25, 2023
  From California to Louisiana to Iowa, United Methodists are responding with prayer, comfort for the grieving and renewed calls for advocacy against gun violence.
• Black pastors group calls for day of prayer January 24, 2023
  A national day of prayer and fasting on Feb. 1 has been declared by the Rev. Dennis Blackwell and the group Black Methodists for a Better Future to ask for God’s help curbing gun, domestic and economic violence as well as systemic racism.
• A Human Relations Day to remember January 23, 2023
  Three San Antonio churches of different racial/ethnic membership model “beloved community” by coming together for a special service ahead of MLK Day March.
• Table banking changes women’s lives in Kenya January 23, 2023
  The United Methodist Church is helping empower women through a group-based funding strategy where women contribute to and benefit from small loans.
• United Methodists seek peace after church bombing January 19, 2023
  The attack on a Pentecostal church in Congo, which killed 17, happened near where more than 180 United Methodists were attending worship.
• Slave or free, disaffiliate or stay UMC? January 19, 2023
  We do not get to choose who can be in God’s flock. It is for everyone whom Jesus chooses to bring in.
• Kenyan youth put faith into action January 19, 2023
  Tazama Christ United Methodist Church youth program provides employment opportunities and mentoring in communities prone to drug and substance abuse.
• A birthday letter to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. January 18, 2023
  In an annual letter to the civil rights icon, the Rev. Reggie Lee celebrates victories by Black candidates for both U.S. Senate and the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church as signs of King’s dream coming to fruition.
• Mexican bishop became pastor in the US January 18, 2023
  The Rev. Joel Mora Peña served as an episcopal leader in the Methodist Church of Mexico before immigrating to the U.S. and leading United Methodist churches as a pastor in the Rio Grande Conference. He died Jan. 3 at age 88.
• Twins Association of Zimbabwe supports multiples, mothers January 17, 2023
  United Methodists launched the Twins Association of Zimbabwe in 2016 to assist mothers of multiples, support children through school and empower them economically through various projects.
• At 96, hymnal editor shares his story January 13, 2023
  The Rev. Carlton “Sam” Young’s autobiography covers his long career as a United Methodist composer, arranger, hymnal editor and scholar.
• Congolese president donates 4x4 vehicle to Bishop Unda January 12, 2023
  A new 4X4 vehicle donated to Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda by Congolese President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo will help the episcopal area build on its efforts to evangelize in rural parts of East Congo.
• Church should update abortion stance following court decision January 11, 2023
  A U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year has put women’s lives at risk, and The United Methodist Church should revise its Social Principles, a physician says.