Weekly Outlook - A church worthy of Gen Z

Dear readers, This fall, the Presbyterian Outlook is offering two webinars designed to inspire your own faith and support your ministry. On September 23, join author, oboist and creative coach Merideth Hite Estevez for "Art Is How God Loves Us." Through audio divina and other reflective practices, Merideth will explore how art and beauty can reconnect us with God, restore our sense of wonder and help us pay closer attention to the sacred in everyday life. Then, on October 5, get a head start on Advent planning with Amy Pagliarella, the Outlook’s book review editor. Amy will guide you through noteworthy new Advent devotionals and small group resources for 2026 — plus some tried-and-true favorites — helping pastors, educators and individuals find resources that fit their congregations and spiritual practices. Whether you’re longing for a little quiet beauty or already looking ahead to Advent, we hope you’ll join us for one — or both — of these upcoming conversations. Peace, Rose Schrott Taylor Digital Content Editor Presbyterian Outlook

Honoring the gift of LGBTQIA+ youth for the church by Cody J. Sanders   Large Presbyterian churches see post-pandemic growth — and changing patterns of belonging by Emma Ledbetter When pastors can no longer work: Navigating disability in the PC(USA) by Gregg Brekke A church worthy of Gen Z by Teri McDowell Ott

Our Advent resources are live! We've prepared a daily devotional and a host of ready-to-use worship resources. Check them out! In case you missed it... Cripping Youth Ministry: An Intersectional Vision for Working With Disabled Youth "Cripping Youth Ministry" is a bold, honest call to dismantle ableism and build inclusive faith communities, writes Amy Pagliarella. Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, directs $200k to help its neighbors overcome financial barriers Rather than creating new programs, the church is investing in organizations with established expertise in housing instability, predatory lending, medical debt and lack of access to identification. — PNS Grace Over Guns: Pursuing Peace in a Militarized World Cara Meredith reviews Ben Daniel’s "Grace Over Guns," a compelling call to embrace the gospel of grace, challenge cultures of violence, and pursue peace in a militarized world. Faith formation without easy answers Vernon Gramling shares what 12 years of leading small groups taught him about making room for honest questions and doubt. Affirming Black children’s full humanity Moving toward programs that affirm Black children’s full humanity is crucial for justice, writes Chris Burton. No Longer Male and Female: A Biblical Guide for Our Questions about Gender Jo Wiersema reviews Will Brown's "No Longer Male and Female," a father's journey with his gender-expansive child turned into a biblical case for affirmation.

Copyright © 2026 Presbyterian Outlook, All rights reserved.

UM News Digest - Sept. 18, 2026

UM News Digest - Sept. 18, 2026 Water for Life | MARCHA meeting | James Laney and AU “Though we were taught how to treat the creek water before drinking it, this water will be a lot safer for us to drink.” — Helena Dolo, on a water well The United Methodist Church provided in her Liberian community. Members of Bartee Pannoh United Methodist Church and community members celebrate during the dedication of a water well in the Karquekpo community in Sinoe County, Liberia. Photo courtesy of the United Methodist Human Rights Monitor. Church expands access to clean water in Liberia GREENVILLE, Liberia (UM News) — Through its Water for Life initiative, the Liberia Conference is installing water wells and sanitation facilities throughout the country to help reduce waterborne diseases and improve safety and equity for women and girls. E Julu Swen has the story. Read story Members of MARCHA discuss priorities during their online annual meeting, held July 31-Aug. 1. Photo composition by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News. Hispanic-Latino caucus reviews mission, structure  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s Hispanic-Latino caucus set priorities at its annual meeting, including reviewing bylaws, strengthening ties with Latin America, advocating for immigrant communities and developing the Elías Galván Endowment Fund. The Rev. Gustavo Vásquez reports. Read story Great Plains Conference Bishop supports Resurrection amid campaign barbs LEAWOOD, Kan. — While campaigning against the Rev. Adam Hamilton, U.S. Vice President JD Vance decried Resurrection, the United Methodist church that Hamilton founded, for co-sponsoring a local Pride festival. Great Plains Conference Bishop David Wilson called the criticism of the congregation “inaccurate and unwarranted,” in a statement extolling the church’s outreach. “I, for one, am proud to know the people of Resurrection are United Methodists, and I am proud to serve beside them along with our other 680 churches across Kansas and Nebraska as their bishop,” Wilson writes. Read story UM News: Hamilton honored for connectional leadership Baltimore-Washington Conference Flood recovery continues in Maryland FULTON, Md. — United Methodists continue to assist families affected by a May 2025 flood that devastated Western Maryland. A $200,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief has funded work groups installing flooring, remediating mold, replacing windows and doors and repairing electric systems. Seventy-one families have been helped so far. Alison Burdett has the story. Read story 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. Laney had indelible impact on Africa University NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Dr. James T. Laney, who died last month at age 98, was a pastor, missionary, university president, U.S. ambassador and lifelong advocate for peace. He was also a friend to Africa University, playing a pivotal role in establishing the pan-African school in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, more than three decades ago. “Africa University would not be what it is today were it not for Jim Laney,” writes James H. Salley. Read remembrance UM News: Remembering James T. Laney, a lifelong friend to Korea United Methodist Men Ministry with, not to NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Steven Schied, director of The United Methodist Church’s Center for Scouting Ministry, came upon a car accident while in El Salvador for the World Methodist Council meeting. In that moment, he discovered that despite all his first-aid training, he did not know enough of the local context to truly help. Thankfully, he was not alone. “We are invited to find the rest of the Body of Christ,” he writes.  Read commentary UM News: Methodist family spotlights justice, peace, joy Mississippi Conference Conferences raise money for Gammon JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis Logan announced that on behalf of the conference, she and other conference leaders presented a $50,000 check toward endowed scholarships at Gammon Theological Seminary, the historically Black United Methodist seminary. The Florida and Virginia annual conferences have already donated $100,000 each to the seminary as part of efforts to raise $500,000 by December. Read press release To give to Gammon Wesleyan Impact Partners Bishop’s podcast explores church possibilities AUSTIN, Texas — Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer, executive secretary of the Council of Bishops, is hosting “The Unfinished Church,” a podcast that features interviews with fellow United Methodist leaders and explores the questions, possibilities and people shaping the church right now. The podcast, which will release a new episode every two weeks until the end of the year, is from Wesleyan Impact Partners and the Texas Methodist Foundation. The debut features an interview with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling.  Learn more Listen to introduction Listen to interview with Bishop Easterling Reconciling Ministries Network Webinar on church and transgender rights CHICAGO — The United Methodist Alliance for Transgender Inclusion, an extension ministry of Reconciling Ministries Network, plans to hold an online panel discussion on “The UMC and Transgender Rights.” The webinar, featuring United Methodist agency and Reconciling Ministries Network leaders, is scheduled at 3 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 22.  Register and learn more Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News Church finds joy in bread, coffee and communion Watch video Photo courtesy of Liberia Annual Conference Communications. African bishops celebrate growth, ecumenism Read story Sept. 28-Oct. 9 Old Testament Through A Different Lens: Torah and Beyond Oct. 19-31 Online course: Loving People and Planet in God’s Name More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos

Registration for Montreat Youth Conference Opens Soon! While it may seem like the summer just ended, here at Montreat, we are already hard at work preparing for next year’s Montreat Youth Conference. In fact, registration for the 2027 conference will open on October 1. That’s just a few weeks away! To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a few helpful tips and tricks. We hope you’ll take them into consideration as you start planning for next summer… READ THE FULL ARTICLE NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Mark your Calendars for College Conference Now that school is back in session, start making plans to attend College Conference @ Montreat! This three-day event welcomes all college-aged young adults, regardless of religious affiliation or field of study. More information will be announced next month. In the meantime, mark your calendars for January 2–5, 2027! Click here to sign up for alerts. A Place for Middler Schoolers Montreat’s Middle School Conference is a special event created specifically with middle school students in mind. Over the course of four days, youth engage in worship, community building, and fun as they explore Maryville College in Maryville, TN. Registration for the 2027 conference opens on October 13. We hope you’ll consider joining us! Find Nourishment for Your “Defining Decade” Navigating your twenties and thirties is best done with the support of a faith community. That’s why we created The Manna Retreat, a weekend retreat for young adults. Here, you’ll find spiritual nourishment and opportunities to connect with other young adults during daily worship, small groups, and late-night mixers. Registration opens on October 5! Learn more. Youth & Young Adult Takeover Month During October, we will host a month-long “Youth and Young Adult Takeover” of our social media and our email newsletters. Throughout the month, we will talk exclusively about opportunities for youth, young adults, and the volunteers and youth leaders who support these ministries. We will also announce conference themes and share information about stage leaders at that time. Keep an eye on our social media for more! One of Montreat Conference Center’s core values, “experiencing connection” refers to our belief that we are called to experience life in the community of others. We encourage connection through learning, playing, listening deeply, and being fully present in ways that strengthen lasting relationships with God, each other, and the world around us. You can learn more about Montreat’s mission and values by clicking here.

View email in browser Montreat Conference Center · PO Box 969 · Montreat, NC 28757-0017 · USA