The United Methodist Church in Central and Southern Europe consists of approximately 33.500 members and friends living in 16 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
A dash of thought - Februrary 2021
What really counts
It is obvious that we have to follow the safeguards on hygiene that the government has decided for the present pandemic. But what really counts now for us as a church community is the quality and regularity of keeping up relationships with members and friends in our local church. No one should be forgotten in this network of relationships.
The early Methodists were organizing in groups of 12 persons (the so called “classes”). Even in a pandemic, no person would have been forgotten. Each week, each person would have had at least one personal contact.
We can live in relationship even in keeping with the protective measures due to the pandemic. Let’s take care that each person in the local church remains connected to the network of the congregation through a regular contact! Engage in such contacts! Thus, we live as the Body of Christ in times of Corona.
January 14, 2021 – Bishop Patrick Streiff
Message of European Bishops
There is movement in the international debate about a threatening split of the UMC. Three European bishops plead for a respectful coexistence.
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Warmth and hope in Bulgaria
On the edge of Antarctica, Lyaskovets Peak (1473m) can be found - a mountain named after the small Bulgarian town of Lyaskovets. It is true that the average annual temperature in central Bulgaria is not -50° Celsius as it is in the Antarctic interior. But there is a coldness here and there that cannot be measured with a thermometer. A small Methodist church feels called to make a difference by sharing warmth and hope in Lyaskovets.
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Reliability in the midst of uncertainty
The year 2020 proved to be a considerable challenge for the leaders of the Miss Stone Center in Strumica (North Macedonia). Despite high caseloads, however, the UMC's diaconal facility was able to care for more than 200 people without interruption – and continues to do so.
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Trusting in God instead of despairing of Him
Her path led her from the Christ Church in Vrbas (Serbia) to the Peace Church in Konstanz (Germany). She could have often despaired in the face of circumstances, but instead, even in times of great need, she trusted that God would always be near her and never leave her. On November 29, 2020, she passed away in her 99th year: Maria Schwertfeger.
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The UMC in Germany preserves unity by respectful coexistence as a way forward
The United Methodist Church in Germany will become more open and inclusive on matters relating to human sexuality while providing structures aimed at accommodating those members and congregations from a more traditional, conservative perspective.
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