UM News Weekly Digest

UM News Digest - July 2, 2025 Center provides hope for women in Congo U.S. Supreme Court rulings challenge church Farmers market sprouts in parking lot “The Mama Lynn Center is a gift from God. … Lives are transformed every day.” — United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda. The Rev. Birgitte French (second from right) of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference addresses a class at the Mama Lynn Center in Kindu, Congo. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News. Center provides hope for women in Congo KINDU, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church built the Mama Lynn Center to give hope to abandoned, stigmatized and vulnerable women in eastern Congo. A United Methodist delegation from the U.S. visited recently, strengthening the partnership for mission with eastern Congo, particularly the center. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story. Read story U.S. Supreme Court rulings challenge church WASHINGTON (UM News) — United Methodist leaders are raising alarms after the U.S. Supreme Court closed out its term by making it easier for the Trump administration to deport people to “third countries,” where they risk torture, and making it harder for lower-court judges to stop Trump’s salvo against birthright citizenship. This is not the time to stay silent about church teachings, leaders say. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Great Plains Conference Farmers market sprouts in parking lot TOPEKA, Kan. — Campus ministries at Washburn University and University United Methodist Church across the street have combined efforts to launch a farmers market that also offers books and crafts. The Rev. Earl Williams, who is both the church’s pastor and leader of the campus ministries, said the market is sure to expand in what has been a food desert. David Burke has the story. Read story California-Pacific Conference After long journey, church celebrates Pride Month LOS ANGELES — For Centenary United Methodist Church, this year’s Pride Month in June was the culmination of a journey that began some 30 years ago. In the 1990s, the Japanese American congregation started its exploration of becoming a Reconciling church before finally joining the network of LGBTQ-inclusive congregations late last year. Yami Lares has the story. Read story New 2025 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week are the California-Pacific, East Ohio, New Mexico and Northern Illinois conferences.  Read reports No Friday Digest this week There will be no Friday Digest on July 4 in honor of U.S. Independence Day. The Digest will resume July 7. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Bethune-Cookman, Florida Conference Albert Mosley named Bethune-Cookman president DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Albert Mosley takes office July 7 as the eighth president of United Methodist-related Bethune-Cookman University. Mosley has long experience leading United Methodist higher education. Bethune-Cookman, founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, is one of 11 historically Black institutions supported by the denomination’s Black College Fund. The Florida Conference also extends its congratulations.  Read Bethune-Cookman press release Read Florida Conference press release Status and Role of Women Status and Role of Women hires three NEW YORK — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women announced it has hired three new staff members. They are the Rev. Tyler Schwaller as director of sexual ethics; the Rev. Katrena King as the director of monitoring and resource development; and the Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig as director of leadership development and community engagement. The staff succeed Becky Posey Williams, who is retiring, and the Rev. Denise Smartt Sears, who is moving to a new church appointment.  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. Our Moral Moment, GreenFaith Protests grow against ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ NEW YORK — United Methodist pastors have been among those speaking out against the budget reconciliation bill dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill that passed the U.S. Senate on July 1. At least three United Methodist pastors — the Revs. Darryl Dayson, Joel Simpson and Karen Honeycutt Roberts — were among 38 “moral witnesses” arrested June 30 for praying in the Capitol Rotunda and blocking the street. United Methodists also were among the signers of a letter coordinated by the nonprofit GreenFaith that asked U.S. lawmakers to reject the bill, which is now before the U.S. House of Representatives. Activists Bishop William Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove write about the Moral Monday protest that led to the arrests, and GreenFaith has the letter. Read Barber and Wilson-Hartgrove commentary Read GreenFaith press release Read letter Monday, July 21 - Friday, Aug. 1 Online course: Engaging ‘Nones’ with spirituality Monday, July 21 - Friday, Aug. 1 Online course: Embracing personal prayer More United Methodist events Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Deaf missionary welcomes, inspires community   MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Jubilation permeated the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Zimbabwe’s Hilltop Circuit as “Pastor Collins” Kwasi Prempeh, the first Deaf United Methodist Global Missionary, was introduced. He is focused on inclusion in worship and ministries as well as empowerment of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Church programs help young farmer pursue dream   HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Despite struggling academically, 18-year-old Tafadzwa Chingosho is finding success in pepper farming after being trained by The United Methodist Church. The 18-year-old United Methodist grew his skills through Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Kudzai Chingwe reports. Read story