International Women's Day 2026

Celebrating extraordinary women and renewing our commitment to justice and equality As we mark International Women’s Day 2026, the Uniting Church in Australia is celebrating extraordinary women whose faith, leadership and service enrich congregations and communities across the country.   This year’s theme, “Balance the Scales”, is a call to justice and to renewed commitment to equality. To mark the day, people from across the national church were invited to nominate inspiring women whose lives reflect faithful leadership, compassion and witness. The response was overwhelming, revealing countless stories of women nurturing faith, strengthening community and standing with those whose voices are often unheard.   In her President's message for IWD ’26, Rev Charissa Suli gives thanks for the women whose ministry and service shape the life of our Church. She describes the theme as a reminder that equality does not happen by accident and that justice remains incomplete where voices are silenced or dignity diminished.   Rev Suli also highlights the many ways women proclaim the gospel today – preaching, teaching, advocating, mentoring and praying – sometimes publicly and often quietly behind the scenes. The nominations received this year offer a glimpse of that faithful witness: women empowering others, leading change and living out God’s mission every day.   This International Women’s Day, the Church celebrates them all with gratitude and renewed commitment to justice. Read more here

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UM News Digest - March 6, 2026

UM News Digest - March 6, 2026 UM News is resending today’s Digest to correct an ad that included an incorrect deadline for scholarships for United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time today. The ad is corrected below and includes a link to apply. Pastors walk a political tightrope ‘Signs of Life’: Finding unity in diversity Minnesota pastor testifies to U.S. Congress “We share a commitment to the humans who surround us and the humans who live in our neighborhood that we will prioritize the people over their political point of view.” — The Rev. Daniel Hawkins, pastor of Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford, Texas. The Rev. Daniel Hawkins (left) leads service at Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford, Texas. Photo courtesy of Martin United Methodist Church. Pastors walk a political tightrope  CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. (UM News) — Political and moral polarization is prominent in the United States, and United Methodist pastors are treading carefully on these issues as they lead diverse congregations. Keeping the dialogue going between people who disagree is more important than winning any political argument, said the Rev. Lisa Kruse-Safford, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Crystal Lake. Jim Patterson reports. Read story Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church involved in politics? Graphic by Ben Ward, photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. ‘Signs of Life’: Finding unity in diversity BEDFORD, Texas (UM News) — The pastor of Martin United Methodist Church in the Horizon Texas Conference said he leads a “purple church,” where people are prioritized over political views. In “Signs of Life,” a new podcast from UM News, Ben Ward talks with the Rev. Daniel Hawkins about bringing diverse church members to the table and having sometimes hard conversations to be in community together. He said the congregation, which is one-third Tongan, is “unified without being uniform.”  Listen to podcast Minnesota pastor testifies to U.S. Congress WASHINGTON (UM News) — The Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, senior pastor of Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul, Minnesota, spoke to a U.S. House committee about the impact of the federal crackdown on her parishioners and state. “No nation can build a true future on the terror of its own people,” she said. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Louisiana Conference Students help translate Braille hymnal LAFAYETTE, La. — High school students came to the rescue when First United Methodist Church of Lafayette bought a Braille United Methodist hymnal that proved difficult to use. The Braille version is seven large binders with a three-binder appendix. Brad Burkman, inclusion coordinator for the church, recruited students from Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches to help translate the hymn and page numbers from Braille to English so sighted people could find the right pages to pull for each service. Mark Lambert has the story. Read story Middle Philippines Conference Remembering Rodolfo C. Beltran NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines — Rodolfo C. Beltran, the first person outside the United States to serve on The United Methodist Church’s highest court, died March 3 at age 93. A distinguished lawyer, educator, church leader and pillar of the community, he was elected to the Judicial Council in 2000 to an eight-year term. Gladys P. Mangiduyos has an obituary. Read obituary ADVERTISEMENT UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. Church must do messy work of restoring community EVANSTON, Ill. (UM News) — When congregations and seminaries present themselves through the lens of political ideology, they squander a sacred gift: the church’s capacity to hold us together, writes the Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera, president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The church’s calling is not to mirror a fractured society, he says, but to practice a different way of being together. The seminary has launched the Garrett Collective as a way to help the church lead the way in building community across differences. Read commentary Society of St. Andrew Anti-hunger ministry seeks new head BIG ISLAND, Va. — Lynette Johnson, executive director of United Methodist partner Society of St. Andrew since 2017, plans to retire at the start of September. The board of the anti-hunger ministry has engaged North Carolina-based executive search firm Arnstrong McGuire to oversee a national search for the next executive director. Learn more about the Society of St. Andrew ADVERTISEMENT United Methodist Communications UMCOR Sunday is March 15 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When people face disaster, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is there to help. But that kind of response requires trained staff, reliable systems and the ability to act quickly and compassionately. United Methodists can support UMCOR’s administrative costs through the UMCOR Sunday special offerings on March 15. United Methodist Communications offers resources to mark the day and encourage giving See resources Religion and Race Mental health focus of grant program WASHINGTON — United Methodists looking to improve mental health support in underserved communities can apply for CORR Action Fund grants of up to $10,000 being offered by the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. Successful proposals will include a diversity of voices, be culturally sensitive and create initiatives that will result in lasting change that can be replicated elsewhere. Learn more Higher Education and Ministry What it means to be United Methodist-related NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has released an updated version of “What It Means to Be Related to a United Methodist Church with Education in Its DNA,” reaffirming the church’s enduring commitment to church-related education. The primer gives United Methodist-related institutions in the U.S. a clear guide to understanding their United Methodist identity. Learn more Photo courtesy of the Rev. Sarah Borgstrom Lee With DEI dismantled, ministries still work for diversity Read story Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Dare to take risks to move church forward, pastor says Read story Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 27 Online course: Ministry With People Living with Dementia Monday, April 6 - Friday, May 29 Online course: Journey Through the Psalms More United Methodist events UMNews.org |  UM News Photos

Weekly Outlook - Bad Bunny, Jesus and the comment section 🎤

Dear readers, What does empathy look like in a divided world? It’s a question many Christians are asking with new urgency. Some public voices have recently dismissed empathy as weakness or even a cultural threat. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to something different: to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. That tension is part of what inspired our newest Fresh Outlook Bible Studies resource, "On the Road to Empathy." This four-session study, written by the Rev. Dr. Robyn Byrd Michalove, invites congregations to explore empathy as a faithful Christian practice through stories from Luke’s Gospel and the Book of Acts. Along the way, participants reflect on the stories that shape us, the blind spots we carry and the ways Christ calls us to move from understanding toward action. Written specifically for young adults, this study would also be a great fit for adult education programs, small groups, or a churchwide conversation. We hope this new resource will help your community listen more deeply and walk more faithfully with one another. Learn more about the study and read a sample. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

A PC(USA) statement on the escalating war with Iran by the Office of Public Witness Shortening the Book of Confessions? A stated clerk responds by Christian Boyd Bad Bunny, Jesus and the comment section by Trip Porch When foster youth age out, a church steps in by John Bolt Why vigils matter as anxiety rises by Maggie Alsup A sermon for elderly Christians in troubled times by Brenda Monroe Moten In case you missed it... Love Letters to God Andrew Taylor-Troutman praises "Love Letters to God' as a raw, brave epistolary friendship that wrestles honestly with suffering, faith, and a love strong enough to endure doubt. Presbyterian politicians mix faith with their civic service Elected officials and candidates find belief a powerful ally in leadership. — Gregg Brekke A homecoming Doug McMahon reflects on how a bone marrow transplant teaches us that we humans are bound together, each needing the other, even at a cellular level.   Middle, high school students invited to ‘Wholly Shift!’ at 2026 Hastings Youth Conference Hastings College and the ASPIRE program invite students to an inclusive space where young people can explore their faith, build lasting connections and recognize their value. Legal Defense Fund visits Springfield, Ohio Haitian immigrants and others live in fear, but faith communities stand with them. — Cindy Corell Discussion guide for our Empathy issue In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. — Don Griggs