Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of July 28 - August 1, 2025

The Rev. Jihyun Oh calls for urgent accountability in the devastating crisis in Gaza In a letter, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency calls for 10 actions ‘grounded in the Gospel’

Dream on! Triennium mid-week worship moves past nightmares

‘We were born to dream and to do work to change the world’ PC(USA) Co-moderator CeCe Armstrong preaches on opening day of 2025 Youth Triennium

Starry Night shines with games and musical performers at Presbyterian Youth Triennium Participants and volunteers enjoy time to socialize and be entertained

‘Your dreams are good, but God’s dreams are gold’ The Rev. Dr. Jerry Cannon closes Presbyterian Youth Triennium with thunder and wisdom gained from decades in the pulpit

Interim Unified Agency, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

RNS Morning Report - This Tisha B\'Av, some Jews are mourning another destruction

Top Stories This Tisha B’Av, some Jews are mourning another destruction (RNS) — On a day when Jews mourn the destruction of the first and second temples, some Jews believe the destruction of Gaza should also be mourned.   Opus Dei Catholic who led Dallas ICE lawyers now defends immigrants (RNS) — As the second Trump administration doubles down on harsh immigration policy, Hunker, an Opus Dei member who retired from ICE to join a private immigration law practice in February 2024, is in a position to speak out.   As ‘What If…’ returns to theaters, Dallas Jenkins recalls finding his Christian movie calling (RNS) — Years before the success of 'The Chosen,' the filmmaker 'was embarrassed by the notion of faith-based films,' he told RNS.   ‘Just a jumble of bones.’ How a baby grave discovery has grown to haunt Ireland TUAM, Ireland (AP) — Ireland and the Catholic Church, once central to its identity, are grappling with the legacy of ostracizing unmarried women who they believed committed a mortal sin and separating them from children left at the mercy of a cruel system.     RNS Opinion Why I’m losing sleep over Gaza (RNS) — It's called 'moral insomnia,' and there is no good medication other than striving to do better.   80 years since Hiroshima, a world without nuclear weapons is still possible (RNS) — Instead, the US government is pouring billions more of our tax dollars into building a new generation of nuclear weapons and planning to resume nuclear testing.   ICYMI ELCA elects first Black presiding bishop, calls Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide (RNS) — The Rev. Yehiel Curry, bishop of the ELCA’s Metropolitan Chicago Synod since 2019, will serve a six-year term as presiding bishop of the 2.7 million-member denomination.   Brent Leatherwood, head of embattled SBC public policy arm, steps down (RNS) — The SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has been criticized for failing to fall in line with the MAGA agenda. In Other News Pope Leo tells 1 million Catholic youths they are sign ‘different world is possible’ UK’s first female archbishop tells of how she hid her sexuality for decades   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

UM News Digest

UM News Digest - Aug. 1, 2025 Hope Beyond the Storm: 20 years after Katrina African leaders focus on stewardship Churches respond to typhoons in Philippines "We really believe we are the only hands and feet that God has. … God wants to partner with us to make the world a better place.”  — Dan Bracken of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church, on the congregation’s 102 work trips to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. A crew from Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio, builds a wheelchair ramp for a homeowner in Slidell, Louisiana, following Hurricane Katrina. Video image courtesy of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church by UM News. Hope Beyond the Storm: 20 years after Katrina NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast in August 2005. A UM News team recently returned to some of the hard-hit areas to talk with church leaders and members who recall the devastation and the power of the United Methodist connection. Throughout August, we’ll be sharing these stories of Hope Beyond the Storm. Today, Lilla Marigza talks with members of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio, who sent over 100 work teams “to be the hands and feet of God” in the wake of Katrina. Watch video Liberia Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. (right) shares communion with Africa University Vice Chancellor Peter M. Mageto (left) during worship at GCFA’s Quad Training in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office. African leaders focus on stewardship MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Over 100 African leaders gathered at a historic meeting at Africa University to collaborate in charting the denomination’s financial future. The focus of the General Council on Finance and Administration’s Quad Training was stewardship of property, finances and data. Eveline Chikwanah reports. Read story UMC TV Churches respond to storms in Philippines MANILA, Philippines (UM News) — Multiple typhoons and storms have brought heavy rains to parts of the Philippines, causing widespread flooding. United Methodist churches in the country, including Good Samaritan United Methodist, Kamuning First United Methodist and churches in the Bulacan Philippines Conference, have been leading relief efforts in their communities. Titus Dayrit reports for UMC TV. Watch video Africa University University shines as ‘beacon’ for pastor HARVEST, Ala. — Africa University made all the difference for the Rev. Kanunu Emmanuel Busambwa in his journey from poverty in Congo to a pastoral career in Alabama. Busambwa, senior pastor of Ford’s Chapel United Methodist Church, said he would not be the person he is today without the pan-African United Methodist university. He has led the congregation through challenging times. Tim Tanton has the story.  Read story Judicial Council Church court releases fall docket NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a one-item docket for its fall session. Briefs are due Aug. 8 and reply briefs are due Aug. 18. See docket World Council of Churches Group condemns attack on church in Congo GENEVA — The Rev. Jerry Pillay, top executive of the World Council of Churches, expressed shock and horror over the July 27 attack on a Catholic church in Komanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The assault, which left at least 43 people dead, is a tragic and unacceptable act of violence against innocent worshippers gathered in prayer,” Pillay said on behalf of the ecumenical organization. Read statement ADVERTISEMENT New 2025 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week are the Eastern Pennsylvania, Greater New Jersey and Tennessee-Western Kentucky conferences.  Read reports United Methodist Association of Communicators Registration for UMAC 2025 is now open LEAWOOD, Kan. — The United Methodist Association of Communicators’ annual meeting will be held Oct. 26-28 at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church. Themed “More Than Enough (Luke 9:12-17),” the gathering will include worship led by Bishop David Wilson and the Rev. Adam Hamilton, speakers and workshops on AI, podcasts, data-driven communications and more. The event will close with an awards gala and reception.  To register WRDW-TV Theft isn’t stopping help for Helene survivors AUGUSTA, Ga. — Despite the loss of $30,000 in equipment and a $5,000 trailer to thieves, United Methodist volunteers are back in Augusta helping people whose property was damaged by Hurricane Helene. The North Georgia Conference said its disaster response trailer was stolen from a work site, but conference leaders are not letting that keep them from helping others. Ethan Hunter reports.  Read story Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Vigil planned to oppose Byron Black’s execution NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists and allies across Tennessee plan to gather Aug. 5 in a vigil to oppose the execution of Byron Lewis Black, a 69-year-old man with intellectual disabilities who is scheduled to be executed by the state for the 1988 murders of Angela Clay and her daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha. The United Methodist Church and its predecessor Methodist Church have opposed the death penalty since 1956.  Read press release ADVERTISEMENT Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee Deaf ministries grants available WASHINGTON — The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Ministries Committee is accepting ministry proposals to apply for grants. A limited number of grants up to $3,000 are available to support accessibility, inclusion, faith development and leadership of Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind individuals and families within The United Methodist Church. The application deadline has been extended to Aug. 15. Learn more and apply Monday, Aug. 18 - Friday, Aug. 29 Online course: Communicating Across Generational Divides Monday, Aug. 18 - Friday, Sept. 12 Online course: Finding the Christian Story in the Old Testament More United Methodist events File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Bishops: Ukrainians need church’s presence   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on, United Methodists are continuing to do what they can to boost morale and provide necessities to those in need. Bishop Knut Refsdal of the Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Episcopal Area plans to visit Ukraine in August. He and outgoing Bishop Christian Alsted talk about the church’s ministry with the people of Ukraine. Jim Patterson reports. Read story Photo by Joscie Cutchens, UM News LGBTQ advocates head for ‘uncharted’ territory   MADISON, Wis. (UM News) — With The United Methodist Church’s elimination of its anti-gay stances, advocates for LGBTQ equality see reasons to celebrate but also challenges to address in the denomination and wider world. Reconciling Ministries Network held its 2025 Convocation with the theme “Uncharted” on July 24-27 at First United Methodist Church in Madison. Heather Hahn reports. Read story  Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Mission agency’s support revitalizes hospitals   HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — With support from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, Old Mutare and Nyadire mission hospitals are now better equipped to provide high-quality health care in rural settings. Recent upgrades reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to urban centers for specialized care. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story Graphic by Laurens Glass Where to find church scholarships   NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, responds to inquiries about the denomination and its ministries. One of the most frequent requests the team receives is for scholarship information. In a new installment of its “Whom to Call” series, Ask The UMC shares resources to help students reach their educational goals. Read story