E-ssentials: Call for Climate Leadership, Deep Gratitude for Volunteers, and more!

Call for Climate Leadership This Earth Week [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] This Earth Week, take your commitment one step further. Across the country, communities of faith are raising their voices—calling on elected leaders to act with urgency and courage for the sake of creation. You are invited to join them. Consider offering your community a simple but powerful opportunity to make an impact: print and share a letter to your local Member of Parliament, and invite people to personalize it with their own hopes, concerns, and prayers for the future. Writing to an MP may feel like a small act—but together, our voices carry weight. This is a meaningful way to live out our faith, advocate for climate justice, and care for the world God has entrusted to us.  Download the Call for Climate Leadership letter and help your community take faithful action this Earth Week!  Add your message to this online padlet. The Leaders Guide provides some additional background. Looking for more ways to engage this Earth Week? Explore the latest Concerned for Climate Justice Newsletter—and subscribe to stay up to date on upcoming initiatives. Download the Call for Climate Leadership Letter With Deep Gratitude for Volunteers This National Volunteer Week [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]   This National Volunteer Week, we are deeply grateful for the generosity, compassion, and quiet leadership of volunteers across The United Church of Canada. Thank you for all you make possible. Watch and share this message from Moderator Kimberly Heath, and take a moment to thank those whose time and care help our communities continue to flourish. Ensuring Freedom of Worship for All in Jerusalem    “Seek the peace of the city… and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its peace you will find your peace.” — Jeremiah 29:7  The United Church of Canada echoes the call of the World Council of Churches for renewed action to ensure freedom of worship and safe access to holy sites in Jerusalem. Following reports of violence during the Holy Fire service on Holy Saturday, church leaders are urging Israeli authorities to uphold the long-standing commitment that Jerusalem remain a shared and sacred city for all - where Christians, Muslims, and Jews can gather in prayer without fear or restriction.  Take Action  Write to your MP  asking them to support protection of access to holy sites for all faiths.  Pray  Pray with global partners and all who long to worship in safety and for Jerusalem to be a place where all faiths can live and pray in peace.  Read more from the World Council of Churches Supporting Indigenous and Racialized Youth in Justice-Seeking Research [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]   Are you an Indigenous or Racialized youth (ages 18–26) looking to dive deep into a topic that matters to you? The United Church is looking for six scholars to join a paid, 10-week research journey rooted in leadership and creativity. The Details: Get paid to learn: $23/hr (15 hrs/week). Express yourself: Turn your research into a painting, film, dance, poem or other form of creative expression! Travel: Includes an expenses paid 4–5 day trip to Norway House, Manitoba, for community building (Travel date TBD). Flexible: Work remotely with weekly Zoom check-ins. Dates of Program: May 13 – July 15 Deadline: Apply in the form linked below by April 27, 2026!   Your voice as a young person in the church belongs here! Build your skills and share your story.   Learn more on the United Church Opportunities webpage. Learn more about this opportunity Join in Local Action for Moose Hide Campaign Day (May 14)  [Image credit: Moose Hide Campaign Day]   United Church communities! Are you ready to lead?   The Moose Hide Campaign Day (May 14) is approaching. While national events are happening in Toronto (Queen's Park) and Victoria, there is power in local action.  You can become a community steward and organize a walk in your own neighborhood or at your church. It is a simple, powerful way to say "racism and violence have no place here."  See the map of local marches or sign up to host your own. Register for the virtual educational plenary. Learn more about the Moose Hide Campaign Day New Blog! Becoming an Intercultural Church: Learning to Stay with One Another [Image credit: Pexels/Marcos Miranda]   Many communities of faith are living in an “in-between” time—marked by change, uncertainty, and grief. In a new blog, Rev. Hyuk Cho invites us to see this moment not as a problem to fix, but as a season of transformation. Drawing from his upcoming book, Cho explores intercultural becoming—a way of life rooted in companionship, honesty, and a willingness to be changed through relationship. Read the full blog and learn more about the upcoming Becoming an Intercultural Church course on CHURCHx. Read the new blog! The United Church Bookstore: Celebrate Earth Week with Purpose [Image credit: The United Church of Canada] For the Love of Creation  brings together faith communities across Canada to inspire learning, reflection, action, and advocacy for climate justice. As part of this shared commitment, The United Church of Canada is proud to support this movement—living out our call to care for Creation in meaningful, visible ways. A classic unisex jersey short sleeve T-shirt featuring the For the Love of Creation logo in both English and French is a simple way to express your commitment to the Earth wherever you go. And while you’re there, explore the full climate justice collection, featuring books, resources, and meaningful items to support learning, reflection, and faithful action this Earth Week. Worship Resources See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Fourth Sunday of Easter - April 26, 2026 Camping Sunday - April 26, 2026 Fifth Sunday of Easter - May 3, 2026 Mental Health Sunday - May 3, 2026 Asian Heritage Month 1 - May 3, 2026 Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 10, 2026 Rural Life Sunday - May 10, 2026 Asian Heritage Month 2 - May 10, 2026 Christian Family Sunday - May 10, 2026 For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca. Important Note: The images included in this newsletter are protected by copyright. While we encourage you to share the newsletter itself, please don't copy or use the images independently. Thanks for your understanding! Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

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UM News Digest - April 20, 2026

UM News Digest - April 20, 2026 Planners shorten GC2028, discuss Minneapolis Church leaders chart new future for bishops  Bishop responds to Shreveport shootings “We want every United Methodist to know that we are actively working to ensure that the General Conference experience will support the mental and physical well-being of participants to do the work of the Church.” — The Rev. Aleze Fulbright, the General Conference secretary. The skyline of Minneapolis, which is scheduled to host the 2028 General Conference. Photo by Lane Pelovsky, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis. Planners shorten GC2028, discuss Minneapolis NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Organizers are reducing the 2028 United Methodist General Conference to eight days but pressing forward with Minneapolis as the main host. The Commission on the General Conference, which met online April 17-18, is taking steps to protect delegates amid heightened immigration enforcement. The commission is also working on having a second site in Canada for delegates unable to secure a U.S. visa. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Read press release on safety precautions Read press release on meeting’s recap United Methodist leaders pray during a Feb. 27-28 summit in Nashville, Tenn., focused on the future of episcopal leadership. Photo by Andrew Jensen, General Council on Finance and Administration. Church leaders chart new future for bishops NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As they wait for a big decision by The United Methodist Church’s top court, church leaders say they are already collaborating like never before to strengthen the episcopacy. The denomination’s finance agency has asked the Judicial Council how to interpret changes made by the 2024 General Conference to the allotment of U.S. bishops. Heather Hahn has the story.  Read story Louisiana Conference Bishop responds to Shreveport shootings BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Conference Bishop Delores J. Williamston expressed devastation after the shooting deaths of eight children April 19 in Louisiana. The shooter, father of all but one of the children, died after a police pursuit. “Once again, we are left grieving the loss of children, asking why, all the while trying to catch our breath after the initial news, and we ponder what is going on in the life of a person that provokes a violent response,” Williamston wrote in a pastoral letter. Read statement United Women in Faith Safe Haven in San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO — Housing is very expensive in San Francisco, resulting in the ministry of the Mary Elizabeth Inn, a United Women in Faith National Mission Institution. The inn houses more than 70 women, a rare safe and affordable place to live with supportive services to help clients achieve emotional, financial and housing stability. “Our mission remains steadfast: to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness for women in the Bay Area, empowering women at all stages of life to achieve self-sufficiency and security,” said Tanquiesha Kairy, executive director of the inn. Nile Sprague and Audrey Stanton-Smith have the story. Read story Higher Education and Ministry Black College Fund helps power new era at Paine College AUGUSTA, Ga. — Paine College is experiencing a renewal, thanks in part to the enduring support of The United Methodist Church’s Black College Fund, which has helped cover scholarships, tuition discounts and operating expenses, ensuring students — many of them first-generation and low-income — could continue and graduate. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is spotlighting each of the 11 United Methodist-related Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S., supported by the Black College Fund. Wendy R. Cromwell has the story.  Read story Read series ADVERTISEMENT Commission on the General Conference  Jun named as worship director for GC 2028  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commission on the General Conference has elected YoungKwang “YK” Jun of the Greater New Jersey Conference as worship and music director for the 2028 General Conference. Jun will lead worship planning and implementation for the global gathering of the denomination’s top policy-making body, which convenes in May 2028. Read press release Church and Society Free youth lectionary available WASHINGTON — A free updated youth lectionary curriculum is available, offering a way to engage junior and senior high school students about the intersection of faith and justice. The resource was created by a diverse team of pastors, educators, emerging leaders and laypersons from across the connection. Each one-hour lesson includes a centering moment, Scripture study, group activity and closing reflection. Learn more Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News 4 church agencies propose unifying into one Read story Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Church high school launches uniform factory Read story Wednesday, April 22 Earth Day Zoom event Wednesday, May 6 Live from Wespath 2026 More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos