Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS

UMC’s Africa University celebrates first 20 years

April 19, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Dr. Athanasius Mphuru, professor of entomology at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, was recognized as a “pioneer staff member” at the UM-affiliated institution’s 20th anniversary celebration, March 23-24. UMNS PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BARRY

MUTARE, Zimbabwe—Pauline Shongo believes that one day Africa University will be the key to peace on the continent of Africa. So do the many who gathered on the campus of the United Methodist-related university March 22-24 to celebrate the school’s first 20 years. The university, located in Zimbabwe and established by the United Methodist Church in 1992, draws students from all over Africa. The current enrollment of 2,000 represents students from 29 countries. From the beginning, Africa University has been a place where dreams come true. “I think because of [...]

Filed Under: Home Center Position 1, News Tagged With: Africa University, Kathy L. Gilbert

Computer training feed minds, bodies in Haiti

April 1, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Teacher Sylné Guerdy works with students in the computer lab. UMNS PHOTO BY MKE DUBOSE

THOMAS, Haiti—Angeline, 12, looked at the computer screen in front of her and saw the world opening up. “I want to use it for research. I would like to know a lot of things,” she said. She was one of the first students at the Thomas Food Project to sit in front of a monitor in her school’s solar-powered computer lab. For one man, even more exciting than seeing the children learning to use computers was seeing them give thanks and sit down to a hot lunch after the class. [...]

Filed Under: Resources Tagged With: Haiti

VA program gives support to military couples

March 14, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Marriage is never a walk in the park, but when you add in long deployments to dangerous, remote locations, for military couples it can feel like a walk in a war zone. After all, if your spouse is in Afghanistan when the car breaks down, your child comes home with the flu or your boss needs you to work overtime and you don’t have any backup, it can feel pretty lonely. The Rev. Dick Millspaugh, a United Methodist pastor and Veterans Affairs chaplain, sees the effect that kind of stress [...]

Filed Under: Features

UMC’s immigration network changing

February 11, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

2013 might be “the” year for U.S. immigration reform, said Rob Rutland-Brown, new director of the United Methodist National Justice for Our Neighbors. Mr. Rutland-Brown becomes the director of the national [...]

Sports help Wounded Warriors on path to healing

January 29, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

An Army coach (left) and player celebrate a victory at the tournament.

Deep in the heart of the Pentagon, warriors are warming up for several rounds of fierce volleyball competition. The gym is an assault on the ears: dozens of volleyballs hitting the hardwood floor, deep baritone shouting of teammates pumping up teammates, shrill whistles. This is the second annual Wounded Warriors seated volleyball tournament, and it includes all branches of the military pitted against each other—and each team is in it to win. Many of the men and women on the floor today are missing arms or legs or have scars [...]

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Kathy L. Gilbert, wounded warrior

Alabama church seeks healing after shooting

January 25, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, episcopal leader of the North Alabama Conference, gave the sermon at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon UMC in Gardendale, Ala., on the first Sunday after the church’s pastor was accused of shooting and killing his wife and wounding their daughter. UMNS PHOTOS BY MIKE DUBOSE

GARDENDALE, Ala.—Though many feel lost in a terrible sea, members of Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church were reminded on Jan. 13 that Jesus Christ is in the boat with them. Just days after their pastor, the Rev. Terry Greer, was accused of shooting and killing his wife and wounding his daughter, worshippers came through the doors of their church seeking comfort and answers. Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, episcopal leader of the North Alabama Conference; the Rev. Bob Alford, superintendent of the conference’s Central District; and the Rev. Jeri Hunt, interim pastor [...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church, Terry Greer

Alabama church seeks healing after shooting

January 14, 2013 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS 1 Comment

Parishioners pray together at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church during the first worship service after their pastor was accused of shooting and killing his wife and wounding their daughter. UMNS photos by Mike DuBose.

Trained volunteers bring healing in Liberia

December 10, 2012 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Dorothy Payette and Kormassah Mulbah, community health volunteers from Ganta United Methodist Hospital, speak to villagers in Ganta City, Liberia. UMNS PHOTO BY KATHY L. GILBERT

GANTA, Liberia—On a dreary, rainy Monday, Dorothy Payetee starts singing a hymn. Soon others join in and slowly begin to file into the small cinderblock building that serves as the village’s gathering place. Today it is mostly mothers and children because many of the villagers are already out busy with daily chores. Ms. Payetee, a community health volunteer from Ganta United Methodist Hospital, opens the spontaneous meeting with a prayer and then she starts quizzing the group on healthy habits. Ms. Payetee, Kormassah Mulbah and Tonia Albertha Binda are welcome, [...]

Church sews quilts of love for Congo ill

December 4, 2012 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Women at Christ UMC in Kettering, Ohio stand with quilts they created out of cloth prayed over by members of the church. The quilts will be sent to comfort medical patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UMNS PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Nancy Byrd and the congregation at Christ United Methodist Church, Kettering, Ohio, know how it feels to be wrapped up in a “God-size” dream and see it come true. The [...]

Filed Under: Features, Home Center Position 4R Tagged With: Christ United Methodist Church, Congo, Kettering, Ohio

Bees, snails, Moringa trees boost agriculture in Liberia

November 27, 2012 Posted by Kathy L. Gilbert, UMNS Leave a Comment

Duke Nyaeh and Ezekiel C. Freeman display their finished product, Liberian honey. Other sustainable farming practices in Liberia include raising snails, and using roots and leaves from the Moringa tree. UMNS PHOTO BY KATHY L. GILBERT

TUNUKUK PUYE, Liberia—The Rev. Joe Gatei pulls the baggy, mint-green net suit over his Sunday clothes. Knee-high black rubber boots, red heavyweight plastic gloves and a straw hat with an attached net veil make him look like a giant Gumby. With every inch of him protected, he is ready to visit the aggressive wild African bees he loves so much. Mr. Gatei is a graduate of the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Sustainable Agriculture and Development (SA&D) program in beekeeping. He is a true believer in the benefits of honey [...]

UMC’s Africa University celebrates first 20 years

Computer training feed minds, bodies in Haiti

VA program gives support to military couples

UMC’s immigration network changing

Sports help Wounded Warriors on path to healing

Alabama church seeks healing after shooting

Alabama church seeks healing after shooting

Trained volunteers bring healing in Liberia

Church sews quilts of love for Congo ill

Bees, snails, Moringa trees boost agriculture in Liberia

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