Missouri Annual Conference

Only about 100 medivac pilots are in the Army, so being one means you will spend much time deployed. The Rev. Bryan Wendling spent all the 1990s in the service; that meant a lot of time in the desert, with Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Photo courtesy of the Missouri Conference.

Pastor flew Army medical missions

These days, the Rev. Bryan Wendling is pastor of New McKendree United Methodist. But he’s among the Missouri Conference clergy with a military background. Fred Koenig shares the story of Wendling’s years as an Army medivac pilot, including during Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

Local Church

High gas prices and inflation are affecting the ministries of United Methodist pastors in the U.S., who are dealing with increased demand at food pantries and other charities, as well as their own paychecks not stretching as far. Original photo by Paul Brennan, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Inflation, gas prices complicate ministries

Rising prices are affecting the ministries of United Methodists, especially rural multi-point charges. Pastors also are finding the buying power of their paychecks shrinking.

Mission and Ministry

A woman reacts in a residential district damaged by shelling, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 18, 2022. United Methodists with close ties to Ukraine have reacted with special feeling to the invasion, but also have found creative ways to help with relief efforts. Photo by Vladyslav Musiienko, REUTERS © 2022.

Blessed be their Ukrainian ties

Since the Russian invasion began, United Methodists with close connections to Ukraine have been sweating out friends and family members, while also finding creative ways to help.

Church Leadership

The Rev. Chad Parmalee has found knitting, especially making items for others, a way to relax amid the stresses of pandemic ministry. Parmalee leads Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Mich. Photo by Roschenne Parmalee.

Clergy care a priority in pandemic year

Pastors, backed by annual conferences, have taken steps to prevent burnout during long public health emergency.

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