Connectional Table lives into new vision at Philippines gathering

The United Methodist Church’s Connectional Table, which acts as a sort of denomination-wide church council, held its Oct. 16-19 meeting in the Philippines. During the gathering, Filipino members highlighted their church’s history and ministries, and the table focused on creating action plans aligned with the church’s new vision to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.” Kyla Ragasa and Matthan Bang-asan have the story for UMC-TV.

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Church History
A 1961 map shows the location of churches and the borders of episcopal areas within the Central Jurisdiction, which the Methodist Church established to segregate Black members from the wider church. The union that formed The United Methodist Church in 1968 dissolved the Central Jurisdiction. During the Council of Bishops spring meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., bishops explored the legacy of the Central Jurisdiction as denominational leaders consider changes to the geographic jurisdictional system. Image courtesy of Archives and History.

Lessons from past shape jurisdictions’ future

United Methodist bishops learned more about the legacy of the segregated Central Jurisdiction and history of the jurisdictional system, as leaders contemplate possible changes to that system.
Violence
The Rev. Joseph M. De Castro is the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Dubai. His congregation of mostly migrant workers and others who live in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries have been caught in the middle of war. Photo courtesy of the TFUMC Dubai Media Team.

Middle East United Methodists feel brunt of war

Filipino United Methodists who work and worship along the Arabian Peninsula have been caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
Mission and Ministry
Holly Petti and her dog Paisley chat with people entering the Sanctuary at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. The church has a designated dog greeter every Sunday in addition to numerous pet outreach ministries the congregation offers. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Dog church welcomes people and pets

A United Methodist church in Little Rock celebrates Earth Day by recognizing God’s care for his people and the pets they love.

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