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Central and Southern Europe Central Conference

Violence
(From left) Bishop Werner Philipp, local preacher István Pásztor from Hungary, Bishop Stefan Zürcher and Bishop Knut Refsdal stand under a Ukrainian flag at Nevytske Castle, north of Uzhhorod, during their visit to Ukraine on March 26-30. The bishops’ trip was intended as a sign of solidarity and a reminder to people in Ukraine that they have not been forgotten. Photo courtesy of EmK-Öffentlichkeitsarbeit Germany, UM News.

United Methodist bishops encounter hope in Ukraine
Three European bishops traveled to western Ukraine to visit United Methodist congregations and meet people who have been living in war for years. The journey was about presence, solidarity and reminding people they have not been forgotten.
Disaster Relief
Ukrainian children perform during a festival in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. United Methodists in Romania and other neighboring countries continue to provide support for Ukrainian refugees more than three years after Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. Photo by Aaron Roberts, ALR Photography.

Helping Ukrainian refugees make new homes
Art and music programs for children, language courses and waterproof Bibles are some of the assistance being provided to Ukrainians by nearby nations, many times facilitated by United Methodist churches and individuals.
Central Conferences
United Methodists at the Central and Southern Europe Central Conference stand together outside Winterthur United Methodist Church in Winterthur, Switzerland, where they met. Photo by the Rev. Jörg Niederer, Central and Southern Europe Central Conference.

Amid war, central conference practices ‘shalom’

United Methodists in a region that stretches from North Africa to Poland gathered for a meeting that focused on bringing peace in a time of strife.
Social Concerns
Norma P. Dollaga listens as Bishop Ivan Abrahams reads the citation for the 2024 World Methodist Peace Award on Aug. 15 during the World Methodist Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden. Dollaga, a United Methodist deaconess, is being recognized for her efforts to stop extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. United Methodist Bishop Christian Alsted also was honored with a peace award for his work in Ukraine. Abrahams is the outgoing general secretary of the World Methodist Council. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

2 United Methodists receive Peace Awards
Bishop Christian Alsted and Filipino deaconess Norma P. Dollaga both received the World Methodist Council’s highest honor for courageous ministry in very different contexts.

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