|
African AIDS Orphans' Lives Focus on Basic Survival
The will to survive is the thread that weaves
together the lives of the 968 children of the
Nheweyembwa Orphan Trust. The 3-year-old trust
was established to "help alleviate the pathetic
situations some of the children were living in,"
says the Rev. Stanley Kaseke. He is the pastor in
charge of the Dandara area of the United
Methodist Church's Murewa District, which co-
operates the orphan trust.
Date posted:Dec 31, 2002
|
|
|
At Christmas we always focus on the birth of the
Christ Child, and the joy and hope that surround
that event. With Advent and Christmas, the
Christian liturgical calendar also gets us off
to a start full of fulfillment and expectation.
Yet, the story has suspense and the threat of
terrorism when Herod comes on the scene with
evil plans of destroying innocent children. That
event is remembered in Latin America every
December 28th and is known as “el día de los
inocentes” and is our equivalent of April Fool’s
Day.
Date posted:Dec 30, 2002
|
|
|
The main garbage dump in Managua, Nicaragua,
what we would refer to as a landfill, is called
a Basurero in Spanish. It lies just outside of
the city along the shores of Lake Managua. The
relentless sun shines down in 100 degree heat on
the hard-packed light brown dirt that rises in
large puffs of dust as the garbage trucks roll
through the gates. To keep the dust out of the
van we were riding in, we closed the windows
which also tended to lessen the oppressive odors
that also rose up out of the land.
Date posted:Dec 26, 2002
|
|
|
A message by The Rev. Sandra Olewine, United
Methodist missionary in Jerusalem, for the
Fourth Sunday of Advent, 22 December 2002
Date posted:Dec 23, 2002
|
|
|
As Christians contemplate the miracle of their
Savior's birth during this advent season, the
Rev. Husam Naoum will be able to ponder a
miracle of his own surviving a near brush with
death.
Date posted:Dec 23, 2002
|
|
|
Surviving Child Trust Offers Hope to Africa's AIDS Orphans
Ten-year-old Linda Sinoya sat atop a growing
mound of dirt that would soon cover her mother's
grave. With tears sliding down her face, she
looked into the widening hole, where men from her
village took turns breaking through rock and hard
earth. Her mother's body laid inside the family
home, surrounded by women of the village who kept
vigil over it.
Date posted:Dec 23, 2002
|
|
|
The real story of Christmas begins not in the
manger of Bethlehem, or among the shepherds, or
even with the account from Luke’s Gospel quoted
above, at the announcement to Mary from the
angel Gabriel that she would bear God’s Son.
No, the real beginning of Christmas, that we
celebrate on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, is in
the mind of God.
Date posted:Dec 22, 2002
|
|
|
Four United Methodists will go to Iraq shortly
after Christmas on an ecumenical peace mission
coordinated by the U.S. National Council of
Churches and hosted by the Middle East Council
of Churches.
Date posted:Dec 20, 2002
|
|
|
Janet and Luis Garcia are missionaries of the
General Board of Global Ministries of The United
Methodist Church assigned in Chile with the
EMANA (Methodist Extension to Andean Youth)
Project. EMANA is a ministry that serves the
rural Aymara communities in northern Chile. They
are currently in the U.S. visiting support
churches. They send Christmas greetings and
story from the Andes.
Date posted:Dec 19, 2002
|
|
|
The message of Christmas is one of justice,
peace and love. Yet our land is full of hatred
and bloodshed. Not for this God wanted us in
this Holy Land. It is not for making the Holy
Places a field for our struggles. They should be
rather a meeting point where together we
encounter God, where we build together our
dwelling and His dwelling.
Date posted:Dec 19, 2002
|
|
|
What do a church for the deaf, a sprawling after-
school program, an urban neighborhood
revitalization initiative, and a health and
wholeness ministry have in common?
Date posted:Dec 19, 2002
|
|
|
Members of the United Methodist Church’s
Hispanic caucus approved resolutions for the
2004 General Conference and endorsed several
candidates for bishop during their annual
meeting.
Date posted:Dec 19, 2002
|
|
|
Once again we are a nation bedeviled by the
ancient curse of war hysteria. Once again in
this holy season, the followers of the Prince of
Peace are called to a courageous witness for a
just peace. We are stewards of the cosmic dream
of the Creator God for shalom on planet earth.
Date posted:Dec 19, 2002
|
|
|
As violence continues across the Middle East and
the United States considers pre-emptive strikes
against Iraq, the million-member United
Methodist Women¡¦s organization is taking up arms
in prayer.
Date posted:Dec 18, 2002
|
|
|
Silence on HIV/AIDS Spells Death, Church Leaders Warn
"If we stay silent, we're killing people. Silence
with HIV/AIDS means death," said Noemi Fuentes, a
staff executive with the United Methodist Board
of Global Ministries. The board, along with the
Baltimore-Washington Conference, sponsored the
open discussion on AIDS and the Black Church at
the Washington Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C.,
December 6-7.
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
Christian women in Pakistan are minority of the
minorities and the poorest of the poor. There
are many factors that contribute to the
worsening plight of women in Pakistan including
religious persecution, gender inequality, and
poverty. In addition, women are often victims
of Islamic laws such as Hudood, Law of Evidence
and law of Inheritance. They further suffer from
the misuse of laws and corruption of the
judicial system
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
Being profoundly concerned about the safety and
security of the Christian minority in Pakistan,
the W.C.C. delegation tried to understand and
find answers to two central questions:
What are some of the major causes for the
present situation of Christians in Pakistan?
What can be done to address the situation?
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
The United Methodist Church will observe Jan.12
as Centennial Sunday for Korean American
Ministries, honoring the arrival of the first
Korean Christians in Hawaii in 1903.
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
Concerned about global violence and the prospect
of a U.S. war with Iraq, United Methodist
missionary Adam Bray, 23, decided to do
something more than just write letters to
Congress.
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
As the U.S. Hispanic population continues to
grow, the United Methodist Church must increase
its mission efforts in that area.
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
Steve Burt, "the Christmas story pastor," was
telling stories long before he had a
congregation to listen to them.
Date posted:Dec 17, 2002
|
|
|
An intentional, indigenous, grassroots United
Methodist mission to make disciples for Jesus in
the Philippines during the past 15 years has
produced dramatic results.
Date posted:Dec 16, 2002
|
|
|
Supertyphoon Pongsona Devastates Guam : UMCOR's Response
On December 8, 2002, Supertyphoon Pongsona struck
Guam the Mariana Islands. The disaster left this
major Pacific hub without electricity, and water,
transportation. A fuel fire burned for five days,
limiting the amount of fuel available for the
generators, which are the only source of power.
Date posted:Dec 16, 2002
|
|
|
The France You Never Knew - Faith, History, Cuisine and Culture: Primetimers Event 2003
In the gorgeous French setting, participants will
learn and experience French culture and cuisine,
study with experienced lecturers the life and
work of the Nobel Prize winning humanitarian,
Albert Schweitzer, Methodism in France and learn
about the war history of the Alsace Area.
Participants will spend one day in three
countries, France, Switzerland and Germany.
Date posted:Dec 16, 2002
|
|
|
From Advent to Easter: United Methodist Women Are Praying for Peace
As violence continues across the Middle East and
the United States considers pre-emptive strikes
against Iraq, one-million member United Methodist
Women have taken up arms in prayer.
Date posted:Dec 16, 2002
|
|
|
Christmas is a time of joy. It comes not from
sharing retail items, but in our attitudes about
life.
Date posted:Dec 15, 2002
|
|
|
Gorgeous Gorge and the Cascading Mountains: Primetimers Event 2003
The spectacular Columbia River Gorge and the snow-
capped volcanoes that make up the Cascade
Mountains were formed through a tumultuous, awe-
ful geological history of God's creation that
fascinates the mind and humbles the spirit as we
in awesome wonder consider all the works thy
hands have made.
Date posted:Dec 13, 2002
|
|
|
Jerri and William Savuto are missionaries of the
General Board of Global Ministries assigned to
Kenya, where they have responsibilities at the
Maua Hospital. An excerpt of a recent
newsletters details the hardships of the people
and difficulties they face as missionaries in
carrying out their responsibilities.
Date posted:Dec 12, 2002
|
|
|
A new group of organizations is expressing
dismay with the Bush administration’s talk of
possible war with Iraq.
Win Without War is a movement of people who
oppose a pre-emptive war against Iraq, explained
Jim Wallis, at a press conference Dec. 11 to
introduce the coalition. Wallis is executive
director and editor of Sojourners, a magazine
and a national faith-based organization.
Date posted:Dec 12, 2002
|
|
|
 'Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall learn war any more' Micah 4:3" ">
The crystal waters off Vieques Island are
shockingly blue, and the verdant landscape is
continuously caressed by the ocean breezes.
Known as “La Isla Nena” (the Little Island),
Vieques is home to about 9,000 permanent
residents and serves as a playground for
beachcombers from the main island of Puerto
Rico and around the world.
The island is also the place where the U.S. Navy
has conducted bombing exercises for the past 60
years - a fact that residents say has harmed
their environment, their economy, their health
and their quality of life.
Date posted:Dec 11, 2002
|
|
|
In early November, hundreds of Methodist bishops
gathered in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the
Council of Bishops annual meeting. The location
of the meeting was both symbolic and important,
for it represented a wedding of two traditions
of Methodism.
Date posted:Dec 11, 2002
|
|
|
About a dozen United Methodists were among the
100-odd demonstrators arrested Dec. 10 near the
United Nations while protesting a possible U.S.
war with Iraq.
Date posted:Dec 11, 2002
|
|
|
Congregations based at the Methodist church in
Milan, Italy, are continuing to cope with flood
damage caused by a Nov. 26 storm.
Date posted:Dec 10, 2002
|
|
|
Participants will receive a fairly intimate and
thorough learning and appreciation of Methodism
from 1766 through lectures and visits to a
variety of historic locations including Lovely
Lane Church and historical museum, the Baltimore
harbor, the Strawbridge Shrine and Fort McHenry.
Participants can choose to work in the New
Windsor depot where Church World Service kits are
assembled and packed or they could assist in the
SERRV gift shop marking and displaying items.
Date posted:Dec 09, 2002
|
|
|
In the wake of the Liberian government’s call
for self-sufficiency in food production, the
United Methodist Church there has launched three
agricultural projects in Nimba, Bassa and
Montserrado counties.
Date posted:Dec 09, 2002
|
|
|
Is the world ready for Christmas? It seems that
some retailers have been ready since long before
Halloween! Decorations appeared in stores the
week before Thanksgiving. And the news is all
about how the commercial world NEEDS Christmas
sales to survive.
Date posted:Dec 07, 2002
|
|
|
Helen Sheperd is a missionary of the General
Board of Global Ministries of the United
Methodist Church assigned to Mongolia. Based in
the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, Helen is
working to develop a United Methodist mission
presence in this economically depressed East
Asian country. She shares a recent experience as
she begins her ministry.
Date posted:Dec 05, 2002
|
|
|
African American Art Exploration: Primetimers Event 2003
Treat yourself to a rich mix of African-American
artist and musicians from the work of sculptor
and painters to the sounds of blues singers and
jazz musicians. Learn more about the unique
contributions made by African-Americans in the
arts, both on-site and on one day trips to nearby
Bay St. Louis and New Orleans - including Louis
Armstrong Park, Congo Square, The Museum of
African-American Art and Heritage and the Dookie
Chase Restaurant. Learn about the role played by
Gulfside Assembly in the past, present and future
of African-American United Methodists.
Date posted:Dec 05, 2002
|
|
|
On November 22-23, 2002, a celebration, “Women
in White” took place at Gulfside Assembly in
Waveland, Mississippi, in honor of Theressa
Hoover, retired head of the Women’s Division of
the General Board of Global Ministries of the
United Methodist Church. Women of all ages and
backgrounds attended this celebration, where
memory of African American foremothers were
evoked as the legendary Ms. Hoover was honored.
Date posted:Dec 05, 2002
|
|
|
Gwen E. Redding Becomes New Director of UMCOR Sager-Brown
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
announces that Gwen E. Redding has been hired as
the Director of UMCOR Sager-Brown in Baldwin,
Louisiana. She will start in her new position on
January 20, 2003. Gwen E. Redding currently lives
in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is a member of the
Peachtree United Methodist Church. Gwen has more
than twenty-five years of experience in positions
of administrative leadership.
Date posted:Dec 04, 2002
|
|
|
As President of the General Board of Global
Ministries, I am deeply touched and strongly
encouraged by the outpouring of concern that has
greeted reports that the agency must temporarily
reduce the number of active missionaries as a
result of financial realities. I am not,
however, surprised by the responses because
mission and missionaries are near to the heart
of United Methodist life and culture. We are a
Church IN mission, all the time; a global,
mission Church.
Date posted:Dec 04, 2002
|
|
|
The Foundation for Mission Endowment Fund is a
response to the mission education needs of the
Church in the 21st century. Its central purpose
is to assist United Methodist theological
seminaries and colleges around the world in
establishing professorships of mission.
Date posted:Dec 04, 2002
|
|
|
Mission personnel of the General Board of Global
Ministries around the world grew steadily across
the decade of the 1990s and into the new
century, reaching 2,151 persons in 74 countries
in 2002.
Date posted:Dec 04, 2002
|
|
|
Ethiopia Famine: UMCOR's Response
Ethiopia is facing another food crisis. UMCOR is
responding to this crisis with its partner Action
by Churches Together (ACT) International. ACT is
part of the Joint Relief Partnership (JRP) that
is tackle the growing humanitarian emergency in
Ethiopia. Conservative estimates put the number
of people affected by the food crisis at about
6.2 million people.
Date posted:Dec 02, 2002
|
|
|
Minnesota United Methodists have given $5,000 to
the Association of Hmong United Methodist
Congregations to help produce the first American
hymnal in Hmong.
Date posted:Dec 02, 2002
|
|
|
Each year, United Methodist Bishop Woodie W.
White writes a letter to his friend and
colleague, the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,
in advance of King’s Jan. 15 birthday.
Date posted:Dec 02, 2002
|
|
|
Well, the time is here, isn’t it? Time to get
those Christmas decorations up around your
church! There’s always the discussion of
whether to put up all the decorations at once…or
bit by bit for each Sunday of Advent. When does
your church get ready for Christmas?
Date posted:Dec 01, 2002
|
|
|
United Methodists Assist Landmine removal in Mozambique
Land in Mozambique is being cleared of vegetation
this fall to allow for the removal of landmines
under a program sponsored by the United Methodist
Committee on Relief and its parent agency, the
United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
Date posted:Dec 01, 2002
|
