theology

The United Methodist Mission in Honduras ordained its first three elders since its founding in 1997. In the photo, the bishops present lay hands on María Magdalena Zelaya Cruz. From left: Bishop Lizzette Gabriel Montalvo, Bishop Juan de Dios Peña, Bishop Emeritus José Roberto Peña Nazario, Bishop Juan Miguel Simpson Bennett, and Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

United Methodists ordain first elders in Honduras

“This is historic for Methodism in Latin America,” says Bishop Rubén Sáenz Jr., episcopal leader of the United Methodist Mission in Honduras.

General Church

Bishop Gift K. Machinga (right) prepares to cut the ribbon at Mikundi Dairy Farm in Mikundi, Malawi, during his first visit to the country. Machinga says the church-run farm is a beacon of the income-generating projects he envisions for his episcopal area, which includes Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana. He is joined by the Rev. Daniel Mhone (center), superintendent of the Malawi Provisional Conference, Kephus Mtambo (left), the farm’s project coordinator, and community members. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Bishop’s visit signals new hope in Malawi

After years of legal turmoil in the country, Bishop Gift K. Machinga meets with church leaders to hear about challenges, create a roadmap for future.

Human Rights

Immigration Law and Justice Network has released an update on the impact of President Trump’s immigration policies, including an overview of what rights people have in interacting with immigration enforcement. However, the United Methodist ministry acknowledges asserting those rights, including the Fourth Amendment’s protections, now carries a greater risk. Parchment image by Safwan Thottoli, courtesy of Unsplash; map image by OpenClipart-Vectors, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Know your rights when they’re under threat

United Methodist legal experts have released updated guidance for interacting with federal immigration enforcement, but they also note that asserting constitutional rights now carries more risks.

Human Rights

The Rev. Christopher P. Momany. Photo by Kristen Schell.

In troubling times, look to ‘higher law’

Gilbert Haven, a Methodist pastor, taught that opening ourselves to God and seeing things from a divine point of view enables us to act from cleaner motives — and we must act.

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