UM News Weekly Digest

UM News Digest - Feb. 7, 2025 Historic church tells story of slavery, triumph 23 missionaries commissioned Conflict delays Congo Central Conference “We often talk about what happened, but here you can see what happened.” — The Rev. Erin Beasley talking about Pickett Chapel in Tennessee. The history of Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Tenn., goes back almost 200 years. Photo from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News. Historic church tells story of slavery, triumph LEBANON, Tenn. (UM News) — Pickett Chapel is believed to be the oldest, still-standing, historically Black Methodist church building in Tennessee. This humble place of worship has witnessed decades of community, faith and resilience. The church was constructed in 1827 by enslaved people for a white congregation. The structure is now owned by descendants of the craftsmen whose fingerprints can still be seen in the brick façade. Lilla Marigza has the story in celebration of Black History Month. Read story and watch video Global Ministries 23 missionaries commissioned ATLANTA — Twenty-three missionaries who will serve in 15 nations were commissioned Jan. 26 at Wanyange Central United Methodist Church in Jinga, Uganda. “Missionary service is not a personal choice; it is a divine summons,” said Bishop Daniel Wandabula of the East Africa Episcopal Area. The missionaries will serve a range of duties, including pastor, professor, agriculturist and doctor. Countries where they are assigned include Argentina, Cambodia, Switzerland and Uganda. Sara Logeman has the story. Read story Congo Central Conference Conflict delays Congo Central Conference KINDU, Congo — The Congo Central Conference, initially scheduled for March 30-April 4 in Kindu, has been postponed due to the security situation prevailing in Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The new date has not yet been set. The central conference, when it meets, plans to elect three new bishops. In a Feb. 3 letter, Bishop Gabriel Unda, president of the Congo Central Conference College of Bishops, explained that the insecurity in Goma has forced organizers to postpone the event.  UM News: United Methodists killed in Congo conflict Western Jurisdiction  Jurisdiction’s bishops address U.S. divisions PORTLAND, Ore. — Like many United Methodists, the Western Jurisdiction bishops have been paying attention to the stories in their national news feeds that showcase, above all, how deeply fractured the United States is right now. The Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops offers a video that invites United Methodists to share their stories with each other so church members can see humanity and the love of God in one another. Read message and watch video Read transcript The Ipswich Local News Church readies for renovation after roof collapse IPSWICH, N.Y. — Renovations are set to begin on a historic church nearly seven years after a roof collapse destroyed the sanctuary and pews dating back to 1859. Restoration plans at Living Faith United Methodist Church include changes to make the sanctuary space more accessible for church members and groups from the community. Trevor Meek reports. Read story Higher Education and Ministry Scholarships help with pharmacy dream DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Demar Williams, an Edith Allen Scholarship and UM Allocation Award recipient, is determined to make an impact in both his community and the field of pharmacy. A United Methodist student at United Methodist-related Bethune-Cookman University, Williams is pursuing a biochemistry degree with plans to become a pharmacist. He shares the difference the scholarships make. Read story Apply for scholarships in the U.S. Apply for international scholarships ADVERTISEMENT Perkins School of Theology Perkins names new dean DALLAS — Southern United Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology has named Bryan P. Stone as its new Leighton K. Farrell Dean. He will take office June 1. He joins SMU from the Boston University School of Theology, where he is associate dean for academic affairs and the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism. Both Perkins and Boston University’s School of Theology are among 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S. Read press release 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. Amendment would make church more open DELAWARE, Ohio (UM News) — The United Methodist General Conference approved an amendment to the denomination’s constitution last year that adds gender and ability as characteristics that do not bar people from church membership. The United Methodist Church can be a more welcoming denomination if annual conference voters ratify the amendment this year, writes the Rev. April Casperson. Read commentary United Methodist Communications Webinar shares regionalization information NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Council of Bishops, Connectional Table and other United Methodist leaders are presenting a webinar at 10 a.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 20 on the significance of worldwide regionalization for The United Methodist Church. The regionalization package of amendments, approved last year by General Conference, will be among the amendments to the church’s constitution up for a vote this year. United Methodist Communications is facilitating this webinar. Learn more Register UM News: Church constitutional amendments head to vote Disability Ministries Committee Grants available for church accessibility WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Church Disability Ministries Committee is offering Church Accessibility grants. Applications are due March 7.  Learn more Thursday, Feb. 27 - Saturday, March 1 Fresh Expressions United Methodist National Gathering Friday, March 7 - Sunday, March 9 IGNITE Youth Conference More United Methodist events Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News Effort to reimagine Discipline moves forward   ATLANTA (UM News) — United Methodist leaders are evaluating what portions of the Book of Discipline can be adapted. A constitutional-amendment package, called regionalization, would extend the same authority central conferences have to adapt the Discipline to the U.S. But regardless of what happens with regionalization, the Discipline overhaul is heading to the next General Conference. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Korean, Spanish versions of Discipline halted   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Publishing House has announced it will cease publication of the Book of Discipline and Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation in Korean and Spanish, citing financial constraints and declining demand. The decision has sparked concern and disappointment among United Methodist leaders and congregations. In a letter announcing the change, the Rev. Brian K. Milford, president and publisher, outlined possible alternatives for producing the language editions and invited stakeholders to submit suggestions by Feb. 28. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports. Read story File photo courtesy of Vatican Media Archives and History sets big plans for future   MADISON, N.J. (UM News) — Ambitious plans are brewing at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. Projects include the further development of the LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center and a massive searchable database a decade down the road. Jim Patterson has a Q&A with top executive Ashley Boggan. Read story File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News Giving dips in 2024 ahead of smaller budget   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Collections for United Methodist denomination-wide ministries dropped in 2024, compared to 2023. However, United Methodist financial leaders expect the denomination’s significantly smaller 2025-28 budget will better align with giving going forward. A new campaign called United in Impact aims to show the importance of connectional giving. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News Mission-covenant deadline extended to Feb. 28   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church has extended to Feb. 28 the deadline for signing up to support 140 global missionaries through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. As of Feb. 3, more than 30 churches and individuals had signed up to support 108 missionaries. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story, which can be read in the original Korean version or with a Google translation option for English. Read story Image courtesy of the Council of Bishops Bishops urge Trump to restore foreign aid   WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops has submitted a letter to President Trump requesting he rescind his executive order suspending U.S. foreign assistance. Through the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the bishops’ letter says, “we have often partnered with U.S. relief offices and efforts and learned how U.S. aid fosters global stability, alleviates suffering, and promotes the well-being of communities in need.” Read letter