Methodists Show Their Global Reality
United Methodists demonstrated their global reality Wednesday when the Council of Bishops opened its fall meeting outside the United States for the first time.
The meeting in Maputo, Mozambique, surprised many leaders who thought it "unbelievable" to go to a foreign country. Taking a step outside of the states, Wednesday’s meeting demonstrated to the church and the world that United Methodists are "a global church."
"We embody a global reality by being here," said Bishop Janice R. Huie, president of the council, according to the United Methodist News Service.
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Mozambique was noted as a significant area for mission and a place where the church is "exploding." It's a country at peace, Huie said, unlike some African countries.
"I feel so happy that they are in my country. To come here puts the United Methodist Church in Mozambique at a higher level of recognition and respect," said Bishop João Somane Machado, the country's United Methodist leader. "The government will see that this church is a worldwide church."
HIV/AIDS programs also play a significant role in the Mozambique mission. The United Methodist Global AIDS Fund had recently awarded a $10,000 grant to the Chicuque Rural Hospital in Mozambique and the hospital is taking the lead in establishing the church's response to AIDS in the country, UMNS reported. Another $10,000 was awarded to the Belshe Orphanage at the Cambine Mission Station.
Chicuque Hospital is a joint project of the United Methodist Church and the Mozambican government.
On Tuesday, both Huie and Machado had visited the president of Mozambique, Armando Emilio Guebuza, who showed interest in the church's work with AIDS and malaria.
Guebuza welcomed the United Methodists and their first council meeting in his country and expressed openness to working with the church in such areas as poverty, health care and education.
"The president noted that they need help and support, even moral and spiritual support," said Machado. "It was a wonderful meeting."
The United Methodist Church in Mozambique has 160,000 members in more than 170 congregations. A series of meetings are being held through Nov. 6.
