A UMC.org Feature by Joe Iovino* The life of a United Methodist pastor is filled with a variety of responsibilities. They preach, teach, visit, counsel, lead, consult, communicate, budget, clean, and so much more. Pastoring a church is not a job that can be done well under the pastor’s power alone. Every pastor relies heavily […]
The biggest annual gathering in the Uniting Church, the Tongan National Conference (TNC), took place from 5-7 October with more than 1000 people gathered in Katoomba, NSW. Travelling from across the country, Tongan members of the Uniting Church came together to raise their voices in worship, celebrate their culture and be encouraged in their faith, […]
As people lift their hands to the sky and try to peer through the thick, steel mesh fence, Guillermo Navarrete says, “Look up, see the sun shining brightly on both sides of the wall, the birds, clouds and the breeze feel no human barrier, they migrate freely. “This is what the grace of God is […]
Dear Friends, In Greek mythology, Sisyphus is condemned to pushing a large boulder up a hill. Every time he reaches the top, the weight of the rock pushes him back, and he never manages to get it over the hill. Are you exasperated pushing boulders of broken relationships, prejudice, violence, grief or some other life […]
Global Conference against Xenophobia, Racism and Populist Nationalism in the Context of Global Migration in Rome September 18-20, 2018 “All human beings are equal in dignity and rights and equally to be respected and protected.” This is part of the message adopted by the participants of the Conference “Xenophobia, Racism and Populist Nationalism in the […]
In 1984 a pastor from Uruguay became the first Latin American to be elected as general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). The late Emilio Castro (1927 – 2013) left an unmatched legacy of passionate ecumenism behind him. His book “Pasion y compromise con el Reino de Dios”, first published in 2007, has […]
Following an earthquake and tsunami that destroyed major parts of Sulawesi, in the Indonesian archipelago the death toll exceeds 1400 with many more injured. This has been followed by a volcano adding to the severe trauma and devastation. Indonesia lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is prone to natural disasters. The General Secretary […]
Bible Month 2019 is being relaunched this September by the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust (LWPT) and the Methodist Church. Bible Month is an opportunity for churches and individuals to spend four weeks engaging with one book of the Bible. For 2019, the renowned theologian and British New Testament scholar James D G Dunn will […]
In the bustling city of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pastor Mike had been leading a healthy congregation for many years. Lubumbashi is a transportation hub for mineral products, making it the industrial center for mining in southeastern Congo. Major arteries of roads connect this southern city to the rest of the country in […]
A representative group of Asian churches that participated in the Asia regional consultation on upholding the dignity and rights of children proposed that the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) initiate and facilitate an Asia regional ecumenical advocacy network on dignity and rights of Children. In responding to the proposal by the participants to initiate an […]
A UMC.org Feature by Joe Iovino* For many United Methodists in the United States, camp meetings are an important part of their summers. These evangelistic gatherings that were part of the early days of the Methodist movement in America, have evolved over the years, but still lead people to revival and renewal today. Early days […]
As the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China (HKCCCC) marks 100 years of its mission and witness at a Thanksgiving Holy Communion service and commemorative event on 29th September, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) extended centennial greetings and best wishes. The centennial thanksgiving service held at the Asia World Expo […]
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