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The United Methodist Church in Central and Southern Europe consists of approximately 30.000 members and friends living in 13 countries (you can find a map here), celebrating worship services in about 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. Stefan Zürcher

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 March 2024

Because Life is Stronger
"You can close church buildings, but not the Church." This sentence was said by one of our Algerian pastors at a meeting in Tunis (Tunisia) in February 2024. And then he and his colleagues told of impressive examples of burgeoning and flourishing church life despite churches being closed by the authorities and the ban on congregations: of people knocking on the front door and asking for a Bible, or wanting to learn more about Jesus and the path of Christian faith; of those who find faith or seek connection to small and micro groups that meet under the biblical promise: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20). In their experience, external pressure does not have to stifle the life of the Church; on the contrary, it can actually promote it.

In this context, an image that Jesus used came to my mind: "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." (John 12:24). Jesus thus pointed to the necessity of his death for the world. Through suffering and death to life! The events surrounding Jesus' death and its significance are unique. But isn't there an experience behind the connection between suffering, death, and new life that we can also observe in other areas? For example, in the experience of the Church? Restrictions and obstacles from outside, diminishing opportunities within, having to let go of familiar ways of thinking and forms of church life... These are usually very painful processes that we do not long for. But if they do affect us, they do not necessarily mean the end. We no longer have to hold on to what is taken from our hands. Empty, open hands are ready to receive new life.

Another Bible passage comes to mind, one from Isaiah: "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19) Previous experiences, habits that we take for granted, diverse possibilities, false expectations - our gaze can be so caught up in these that we simply overlook the new things that God is creating. But what is no longer there, lack, obstacles or disappointments can also freeze our gaze. That is why Isaiah calls out to his listeners: Look! Turn your gaze away from them and look, with open eyes, alert, attentive, unbiased! - Where are the fine seedlings of God's prevenient grace sprouting in our surroundings? Where is sprouting life recognizable - as a sign of hope and an invitation to trust?

Bishop Stefan Zürcher

Faces of Courage – a very unique exhibition

On February 24, 2024, two years after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, a very unique exhibition took place in Cluj-Napoca (Romania).



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Together into the future

From February 16 to 18, 2024, delegates from several countries met in Hamburg (Germany) for the first EMYCF (European Methodist Youth and Children’s Forum).


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Because the Church cannot be closed

The Christian minority in North Africa is experiencing challenging times. This also became clear at a meeting that recently took place in Tunis (Tunisia).


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Zora Vuckova - a fearless witness of God

The church year is coming to an end these days, and many local churches are remembering people who have passed away in recent months. One of these people is the Macedonian pastor Zora Vuckova, who experienced incredible things in her ministry and who is worth remembering.


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"You have given me freedom"

Galina had an important post at the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya. Dunya is an instructor at the front. Yulia is trying to save cultural life in Kherson. All these women experienced the war in Ukraine and now have to come to terms with what they have experienced. But how do they manage to overcome the horror and move on?


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