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“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, and I’ve been through two earthquakes and other fires.” — The Rev. Garth Gilliam, a California-Pacific Conference district superintendent, on the Los Angeles County fires’ devastation. |
| Altadena United Methodist Church in Altadena, Calif., is reduced to rubble after the Palisades and Eaton fires swept through southern California. Photo by the Rev. Garth Gilliam, district superintendent, California-Pacific Conference. |
United Methodists see loss, offer relief as wildfires rageLOS ANGELES (UM News) — United Methodists in southern California are opening their doors and doing what they can to help people displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires. At the same time, many United Methodists are grieving the loss of their homes and at least two churches’ buildings. Heather Hahn reports. |
| Smoke reaches high into the sky behind Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Hannah Adair Bonner, Hollywood United Methodist Church. |
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Hospital provides beacon of hope in Eastern Congo
TUNDA, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist General Hospital in Tunda is the only facility of its kind within a 100-kilometer radius. With the investment of nearly $700,000 from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the hospital has added a building and new equipment and is drawing patients from far and wide. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
New church launches in South Georgia
BAINBRIDGE, Ga. — South Georgia United Methodists are beginning an exciting new chapter as they launch a new faith community: Christ United Methodist Church. Faithful laity have trusted God to guide them on this journey following their former church’s departure from the denomination this past summer. Stephanie Smith has the story.
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Western Pennsylvania Conference
Congregation reimagines vacation Bible school
CHICORA, Pa. — Chicora United Methodist Church had previously done summer vacation Bible school for a week as part of a shared ministry group with other churches. In 2024, however, due to lack of response and volunteers, the church chose to postpone. Church member Debbie Adams had a vision to do some one-day events during the school year on Mondays when there is a scheduled holiday. The Rev. Bev Roscoe has the story.
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Iowa Conference
New bishop has history with US conference
DES MOINES, Iowa — A recently elected bishop in Africa has spent significant time working in the Iowa Conference and was ordained in the state. The Rev. Ande Ikimun Emmanuel was elected Dec. 7 to lead the Nigeria Episcopal Area. He worked as a counselor at Wesley Woods Camp and Retreat Center in Indianola the summer of 2012. Bishop Julius Trimble performed his ordination. Courtney Levin has the story.
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UM News: West Africa elects Ande Emmanuel as bishop |
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| | 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. |
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
7 trends impacting church leadership for 2025
WASHINGTON — As the landscape of ministry continues to shift, the Lewis Center sees congregations adapting in creative new ways. Jessica Anschutz, Ann Michel and Doug Powe of the Lewis Center identify seven trends affecting churches and how they pursue their missions in the year ahead.
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Religion and Race
Agency’s top exec offers new year’s hopes
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo begins the new year by reiterating the commitment by the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race to equip and train churches in the work of justice and anti-racism. “A new year brings new opportunities to be the church the world needs — a church rooted in grace, driven by justice and marked by hope,” Arroyo writes.
Read commentary |
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| Discipleship Ministries
Webinar series looks at sacraments
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A three-part webinar series designed for United Methodist leaders will focus on the sacraments of baptism and holy communion and the church’s membership vows. The series aims to equip leaders committed to revitalizing worship and discipleship practices. The webinars are scheduled from noon to 1:15 p.m. U.S. Central time Jan. 23, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6.
Learn more and register
Foundation for Evangelism
Applications open to be in local-church cohort
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism is taking applications through Jan. 15 for its Thriving Congregations Local Church cohort program. These training cohorts are intended to enable small and medium-size churches to discern and launch an experiment or initiative to invite others into a relationship with Jesus. Awards of $2,500 will be granted to groups that complete the cohorts and submit a successful proposal for a grant experiment.
Learn more |
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| Church promotes post-election peace in Mozambique
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UM News) — United Methodists in Mozambique are asking for prayers and encouraging lawmakers to seek peace as civil unrest in the country continues following contested general elections in October. Hundreds have died and thousands have been injured in post-election violence. The Rev. João Filimone Sambo reports. |
| | Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News |
Reflecting on 2024:
The year in photos
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — 2024 was a year of change for The United Methodist Church, headlined by a history-making General Conference. Globally, church members responded to the needs of people affected by wars, extreme weather, immigration challenges and other issues. UM News documents a year in the life of United Methodism. |
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| Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News |
Teacher’s legacy creates church, school partnership
CHITUNGWIZA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A United Methodist teacher’s legacy endures through a partnership between her former workplace and The United Methodist Church, which helped to revive a school awards ceremony. To the church it was a way of evangelizing to the community; to the school, it was a way of motivating students. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. |
| | Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops |
Bishop remembered for ministry and music
PITTSBURGH (UM News) — United Methodist Bishop George Bashore is being remembered as a supporter of young clergy and master vocalist. “He sang in church; he sang on the streets; he sang everywhere,” said Bishop Thomas Bickerton, one of numerous clergy advised and supported by Bashore over the years. Bashore died Dec. 13 at 90. Jim Patterson reports. |
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