WCC NEWS: Visit to Sudan highlights importance of strengthening solidarity with churches

The churches of Sudan – and especially the Sudan Council of Churches as their ecumenical forum – have suffered from a serious lack of attention and support by international ecumenical partners since the separation of South Sudan in 2011. A woman carries the Bible into a Catholic Mass in Gidel, a village in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Life on Earth pictures 29 April 2022 To begin to close this attention gap, a delegation comprised of representatives from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and its ecumenical partners undertook an ecumenical solidarity visit to accompany the churches and people of Sudan in the midst of significant changes and challenges in the country. Together with the All Africa Conference of Churches and the Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa, the solidarity visit to Sudan took place from 20-25 April. The delegation committed to closer accompaniment of the Sudan Council of Churches and the churches of Sudan, and especially resolved to empower churches’ participation in national discussions during this critical transitional period.  Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee, was part of the 12-person delegation. “We will continue to journey together with the churches of Sudan as they seek sustainable peace and justice for al the people of Sudan,”said Abuom. “We both acknowledge and support the pivotal task of local churches in accompanying the people during this time of transition.” Among other specific initiatives in this regard, the delegation committed to promoting exchange with national councils of churches in other contexts, so the Sudan Council of Churches interim leadership can benefit from the experience and expertise of national councils of churches elsewhere.  Specialized ministries present in Sudan – including Norwegian Church Aid and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development – have also agreed to help the Sudan Council of Churches re-establish essential systems and processes to effectively function. The Sudan Council of Churches leadership and representatives of the churches in Sudan confirmed the importance and timeliness of the visit, and the encouragement it gave them for the work ahead. Government representatives affirmed their recognition of the Sudan Council of Churches as representative of the Christian community in Sudan, and as an essential participant in the national discussion in Sudan. WCC member churches in Sudan Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee, leading a workshop with the church leaders of the Sudan Council of Churches. Photo: WCC See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Friday Digest - Apr 29, 2022

Friday Digest Apr 29, 2022

"Let us be the change and change the world together." — Isaiah Musabayana, on supporting students at two United Methodist mission schools he attended in Zimbabwe.

Mission schools alumnus gives students a boost MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — More than 100 students received scholarships at two United Methodist mission schools thanks to a local businessman and former student. The assistance program awards the top students in each class. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe New wrinkles in aid to Ukrainian refugees ZURICH — United Methodist churches in countries near Ukraine are relying on volunteers as they work with Ukrainian refugees, but they're also hiring Ukrainians for certain relief-related tasks. One United Methodist church in Poland is teaching Polish to Ukrainian refugees but also teaching Ukrainian to Poles who want to do their part toward better communications with the refugees. Urs Schweizer reports on the continuing United Methodist response, in a handful of European countries, to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Read story (PDF)

Texas Conference Tackling the 'preacher's block' problem HOUSTON — Preacher's block, like writer's block, is a real problem, says the Rev. Jessica LaGrone. She devised a Zoom co-working group strategy to help hold one another accountable for getting focused work done on sermons. "It’s like study hall," LaGrone says. "You get a sense that you're not alone. But at the same time, there are no distractions." LaGrone is dean of the chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary. Lindsay Peyton reports. Read story

Florida Conference Conference tornado relief effort gets big grant FORT MYERS, Fla. — Florida United Methodists, in coordination with other relief agencies, have received a $1.8 million state grant to help recovery from an F2 tornado that destroyed 74 homes in January. Immediately after the storm, the Florida Conference received a $10,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Joe Henderson reports. Read story

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PRESS RELEASES

Council of Bishops Bishops work for unity as one resigns WASHINGTON — United Methodist bishops completed their spring meeting April 29 in a spirit of collegiality and love for one another and the worldwide United Methodist Church. Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey passed the gavel to Bishop Thomas Bickerton, who succeeds her as Council of Bishops president. At the same meeting, the bishops also learned that retired Bishop J. Mike Lowry announced that he plans to resign his role as a United Methodist bishop effective May 1. Lowry stated he will join the Global Methodist Church on May 1 and continue his service on the new denomination’s Transitional Leadership Council. UM News plans to have a story Monday. Read press release

Bishops Alsted, Rückert and Streiff European bishops write open letter to WCA COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Three bishops in Europe have written an open letter to the Wesleyan Covenant Association questioning the group’s reaction to the Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference’s vote to leave The United Methodist Church and join the Global Methodist Church. The letter, signed by Bishops Christian Alsted, Harald Rückert and Patrick Streiff, said that the decision was a clear violation of the process laid out in the Book of Discipline. “The reaction to the Bulgarian vote raises the question: What standards do leaders of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and of the Global Methodist Church want to uphold?” Read letter UM News: Bulgaria-Romania United Methodists vote to leave

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EVENTS Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, you can add it to the calendar by clicking here.

Sunday, May 1   Native American Ministries Sunday Monday, May 9-Friday-May 13   Communications Learning Week: Taking the Next Step

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TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK

Bishops urged to work for 'big-tent' church NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In her final address as Council of Bishops president, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey urged as much unity as possible even as a new theologically conservative denomination plans to launch on May 1. The bishops also heard about the history of previous denominational separations. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Read press release

What happens when a new denomination launches? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative breakaway denomination, has set May 1 as its official start date. However, it will take time for any potential separations from The United Methodist Church to take place. Heather Hahn reports on some frequently asked questions. Read story

She 'dared to stand up for women of color' NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — DeLaris Johnson Risher doesn't look, act or talk like a trailblazing, fearless woman — but she is. In 1952, she and Leila Robinson Dabbs, both Black women, quietly integrated Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville, two years before segregation in education was ruled unconstitutional. Risher looks back on those days and her long career, which includes being the first Black Methodist deaconess. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story. Read story

Ask The UMC Celebrating a Native American trailblazer NASHVILLE, Tenn. — William Apess, born among the Pequot of Massachusetts, was the first Native American Methodist exhorter in New England and the first Native American licensed to preach by American Methodists. He also is credited as the first Native American to write and publish an autobiography. Ask The UMC has more on Apess as part of its Pioneers in Methodism series. Read story Read about other pioneers

UMC.org The mysterious, connectional act of prayer MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The acts of asking for prayer, praying for others and reciting prayers together are built into Christian faith tradition. Jesus modeled it, and Christians repeat it. But do they understand it? United Methodist spiritual leaders offer help unraveling the complexity of prayer. Crystal Caviness has the story. Read story

United Methodist Communications Press freedom yields stories that inform, inspire NASHVILLE, Tenn. — World Press Freedom Day is May 3, a day of support for and awareness of the importance of freedom of the press. For The United Methodist Church, World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity to celebrate United Methodist News, the official newsgathering agency of the church. Tim Tanton, chief news officer, said telling the stories of the church is both a mission and sacred responsibility that inspires people as well as informs them. Read press release Learn more