UM News

News from UM News, the official news reporting organization of the United Methodist Church.

1. Wespath supports student pastors in Congo

   With scholarships from Wespath, 12 theology students from Beni attending Kindu Methodist University are able to buy food and provide for other basic needs while at school.

2. Yambasu Agriculture Initiative empowers farmers

   Program at West African center gives farmers hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture.

3. Wespath expands services to Methodist kin

   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.

4. Church responds to days of mass shootings

   From California to Louisiana to Iowa, United Methodists are responding with prayer, comfort for the grieving and renewed calls for advocacy against gun violence.

5. Black pastors group calls for day of prayer

   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.

6. A Human Relations Day to remember

   Three San Antonio churches of different racial/ethnic membership model “beloved community” by coming together for a special service ahead of MLK Day March.

7. Table banking changes women’s lives in Kenya

   The United Methodist Church is helping empower women through a group-based funding strategy where women contribute to and benefit from small loans.

8. United Methodists seek peace after church bombing

   The attack on a Pentecostal church in Congo, which killed 17, happened near where more than 180 United Methodists were attending worship.

9. Slave or free, disaffiliate or stay UMC?

   We do not get to choose who can be in God’s flock. It is for everyone whom Jesus chooses to bring in.

10. Kenyan youth put faith into action

    Tazama Christ United Methodist Church youth program provides employment opportunities and mentoring in communities prone to drug and substance abuse.