The United Methodist Church in Central and Southern Europe consists of approximately 33.500 members and friends living in 14 countries (you can find a map here), celebrating worship services in more than 20 languages and share God’s love in even more languages and expressions.
On this website you will learn more about this unique part of the worldwide family of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Dr. Patrick Streiff
The United Methodist Church in countries directly or indirectly neighboring to Ukraine is very active in the ministries with and for Ukrainian refugees. Here you can find regular update reports (in English language) on these activities and on the situation in the various countries.
Dash of Thought - June 2022
The opening sentence
We all know it: something positive is said at the beginning, BUT then ... And the follow-up sentence with the notorious "BUT" carries the whole weight of the argument. "He would be nice, but... " "She spoke quite well at the beginning, but... " "I would be interested in this event, but..."
For the Gospel, the opening sentence is decisive. It says what God is doing even before we can contribute anything. Fifteen years ago, at the Annual Conference Switzerland-France, we adopted the UMC profile "On the Way with Christ - Moved by God - Turned toward People". Each color of a six-part cube has a prefix that speaks of God and wants to move us humans to action:
Moved by God’s goodness,
we pass on His love in word and deed.
Moved by God’s passion,
we engage ourselves for the good of all in our society.
Moved by God’s spirit,
we are locally present and connected worldwide as believers and doers.
Moved by God’s word,
we trust in God’s liberating grace.
Moved by God’s love,
we treat each and every person with esteem.
Moved by God’s work,
we pay attention to the contributions of many and the effectiveness of our work.
The opening sentence is decisive. It sets us in motion, if we do not immediately invalidate it with the notorious follow-up sentence "BUT…"
Bishop Patrick Streiff
Simultaneous Short and Long-Distance Running
Facing the consequences of the war in Ukraine, Methodists in the war-torn country itself and in neighboring countries are challenged to do both – to respond to the immediate needs and to develop visions for a more long-term assistance.
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Outlook for the future
The UMC in Poland is not only at the beginning of the second century of its existence, but also had important decisions to make for the future at its Annual Conference gathering this year, held in Ełk from June 23-26, 2022.
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Because it is bright
When the duration of natural illumination from direct sunlight increases, it often has a positive effect on people - a fact also pointed out by men and women of the United Methodist Church who work with internally displaced persons in Ukraine and with refugees from Ukraine now living in neighboring countries.
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Celebrating the love of God
From May 26-29, 2022, the 93rd session of Austria Provisional Annual Conference took place in Salzburg.
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Fewer refugees - increasing need
The number of refugees is decreasing - also in Ukraine itself. But especially there, the supply situation is becoming increasingly precarious. Relief transports have therefore gained in importance in the work of the United Methodist Church.
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