North American News & Stories

Grants help United Methodist churches aid local refugees and migrants in their communities.

The Pacific Islander Ministry Plan Advisory Committee met, under the banner of By Faith...Let Us Run with Perseverance, on Aug. 8-9, 2022, at the Garden Grove United Methodist Church in Garden Grove, California.

Missionary Julie Wilson tracks the progress of gentrification in her Winston-Salem neighborhood by looking out the front door. The community members Open Arms serves are increasingly losing their rental homes to people who can purchase and rebuild them.

Areas in the Alabama-West Florida Conference has been hit by a steady stream of extreme weather disasters since Hurricane Michael struck in 2018. UMCOR has provided major support to the conference since then to meet each challenge

Having a breastfeeding support system through local community-based health care providers supported by Global Ministries can make all the difference for young mothers trying to nourish their babies.

Fifty-four missionaries were commissioned for service in nine different worship events taking place around the world from April to July. Some begin service in new placements while others continue with work they began during the pandemic.

New period packs will be provided to communities served by both organizations across the U.S., including families recovering from disasters, immigrants and refugees.

United Methodists value women’s rights and recognize the importance of ministries that support women and their reproductive health.

The UMCOR Asylum Project (“Leading with Welcome”), a partnership that includes UMCOR, National Justice for Our Neighbors and Church World Service, helps a family from Honduras win their asylum case on the grounds of religious persecution.

Grants received from the United Methodist Pacific Islander Ministry Plan in 2021 and 2022 assist Tongan, Samoan and Fijian congregations in the U.S. to develop tools for online ministry and outreach.

In addition to the approved grants, directors allocate $9 million more from unrestricted funds for four areas of work in 2022-2023 and ratify an additional $3.8 million in previously released emergency grants.

Roland Fernandes challenged Global Ministries’ directors to hold fast to God’s grace in a report delivered at their semiannual meeting, May 11-12.