Church History

The first woman among the Methodists to graduate from seminary, Anna Oliver advocated for full clergy rights for women. Original image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Ask the UMC: Anna Oliver: Methodist scholar, preacher, and advocate

Anna Oliver was not only the first Methodist woman to graduate with the Bachelor of Divinity in America, but a successful pastor and advocate for justice in her time.

Church History

United Methodist church members carry a banner during a rally in Jalingo, Nigeria, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Methodism in the country. Festivities took place in December and included free medical services for two days in each of the church’s four United Methodist annual conferences in Nigeria. Photo by Ezekiel Ibrahim, UM News.

United Methodists in Nigeria mark 100 years in mission

Church leaders and members celebrate milestone with a street rally, worship services and outreach, including free medical care in each of the four Nigeria annual conferences.

Mission and Ministry

Bjørn-Gunnar Andersen. Photo courtesy of the author.

Looking back at church’s long history with the Sámi people

On Feb. 6-9, 1917, the Methodist Church in Trondheim, Norway, hosted the first Sámi assembly.

Church History

Portraits of Susanna Wesley, John Wesley and Charles Wesley, done by Frank O. Salisbury, are prominently displayed in the World Methodist Museum Collections exhibit. The recently opened exhibit is at Bridwell Library, on the campus of Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, in Dallas. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

New stage, new look for historical collection

Bridwell Library at Perkins School of Theology opens display of materials that had been at the World Methodist Museum.

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