United Methodist News Service – Recent Articles

• Scholarships help students change Africa
  Two-thirds of the students at Africa University receive financial aid or scholarships, according to Jim Salley, president and CEO of Africa University (Tennessee) Inc.
• Women’s commission at 50, still a long way to go
  The top executive of the agency advocating for women’s equality in the church reflects on how far they’ve come and what work still remains.
• Paradox on the plains
  When Kansans voted recently to protect abortion rights, they continued a rich history of advocacy.
• Church responds as famine threatens Congo
  United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, East Congo Episcopal Area, calls for amplifying agricultural activities to fight food insecurity.
• Estrella elected Philippines Central’s first female bishop
  The Rev. Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, treasurer of the Philippines Central Conference, was the second bishop elected at the Nov. 24-26 meeting.
• Philippines Central Conference elects Painit as bishop
  The country director of mission in Southeast Asia was the third bishop elected at the Nov. 24-26 meeting.
• Philippines Central Conference elects Acdal as bishop
  The president of John Wesley College was elected on the sixth ballot. He will lead the Baguio Episcopal Area.
• Lack of birth certificate challenges children in rural areas
  Representatives of five United Methodist-related primary and secondary schools reported an average 44% of students don’t have birth certificates.
• 3 church disaffiliations blocked
  The Arkansas Conference approved the exit of 35 churches, but not of three others seeking to leave The United Methodist Church.
• Amid church exits, work starts on record-low budget
  United Methodist leaders agree that big changes are coming as the denomination grapples with rising church disaffiliations. But disagreements remain on how best to balance financial uncertainty with missional commitments.