Clergy Partner with Police to Reduce Violence

Local faith leaders hope a new initiative, Getting to the Heart of the Matter, will help reduce violence in the city that just recorded its deadliest year of gun violence on record. A group of two dozen pastors and church leaders in Kansas City stood with the downtown police department Aug. 11 to propose the plan. The Rev. Emanuel Cleaver III, senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, said that while not everyone is a believer, most faith communities already have relationships within their neighborhoods. Read the story in the Kansas City Star at https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article244872797.html

Motorbikes Keep Pastors in Africa Moving During COVID-19

Equipped with new motorbikes, 10 rural pastors in Zimbabwe are conducting vital ministries — delivering messages of hope and even medication — during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the United Methodist News Service story at https://www.umnews.org/en/news/motorbikes-keep-pastors-moving-during-covid-19.

Moto Rally for Mozambique

The Missouri Conference has its own effort to provide motorcycles to pastors in Mozambique. If you’re a motorcycle rider you can join Missouri Bishop Bob Farr September 19-20 as he travels around the Missouri Conference on his motorcycle in support of the Mozambique Initiative. If you would like to participate in this motorcycle trek across the state, please register so that you can receive updates and information about the journey. Go to https://mzinitiative.com/moto-rally/ .