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UM News Digest - Aug. 22, 2025
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“These campaigns are a way for United Methodists to claim and proclaim (God’s) purpose and to invite others to be a part of a joyful, life-giving movement.” — Bishop Laura Merrill, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary conferences. |
Dancer Briana Hanson joyfully helps introduce a report from United Women in Faith during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. |
Bold new era declared for church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Arkansas and Oklahoma conferences are planning advertising and social media campaigns this fall that build on The United Methodist Church’s new vision statement. The campaigns are meant to help United Methodists stride boldly into the future, leaving behind any lingering disappointment and grief over church disaffiliations. Jim Patterson has the story. |
Ethiopian Episcopal Church Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana (in black) congratulates 102-year-old Janet Gowe (seated) on the realization of her decades-long dream for a United Methodist church in her farm community of Murewa, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News. |
102-year-old church planter fulfills sanctuary dream
MUREWA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — After more than three decades of pushing to have a permanent United Methodist church built in her rural farming community, a mother’s dream has become reality. At 102 years old, Janet Gowe reflects on her long journey of faith. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. |
"A boy at Gulfside Waveland, Miss.” is the original description of this undated photo taken at Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, Miss. Photo courtesy of Gulfside Assembly. |
Gulfside Assembly 20 years after Katrina
WAVELAND, Miss. (UM News) — For decades during segregation, Gulfside Assembly was a retreat for African American Methodists who spent summers enjoying tent revivals and recreation. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina washed away the summer retreat, but those who remember Gulfside Assembly hope to see this hallowed place restored. Lilla Marigza has the story. |
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WesleyMen, World Council of Churches
Calling for prayer against hunger in Gaza
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the world’s leading body on hunger declared famine in Gaza, WesleyMen is urging prayer for hunger relief. The ecumenical world Methodist men’s group encourages Christians to remember Gaza every time they pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” The Rev. Jerry Pillay, top executive of the World Council of Churches, also strongly condemned Israel’s announced large-scale assault on Gaza City. These statements come as large crowds of Israeli protesters call for ending the war.
Read WesleyMen statement
Read WCC statement
BBC: Wide protests in Israel
Kentucky Conference
After fire, church camp perseveres
RAVENNA, Ky. — Bishop David Graves joined with other church leaders at Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center to share an important message: Aldersgate’s ministry is alive. An Aug. 10 fire destroyed the camp’s main lodge. Rebuilding will cost about $3 million, and fundraising is nearly a third of the way there. Kim Keller has the story.
Read story
Missouri Conference
Downtown church acts as neighbor to homeless
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — First United Methodist, a downtown church located just a couple of blocks from the state capitol and governor’s mansion, has historically been close to power. Now, the church has made its homeless ministry a focus. First United Methodist also has a community resource center in a historic building the congregation helped restore. Fred Koenig has both stories.
Read story on homeless ministry
Read story on resource center
South Carolina Conference
New church rises in growing coastal area
CAROLINA FOREST, S.C. — For years, the unincorporated community called Carolina Forest, in Horry County, has been growing. It’s exactly the kind of community that needs a United Methodist presence, the Rev. Tyler Strange said. Now, thanks to Strange and a core group of people on his launch team, they’re getting one. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
Oregon-Idaho Conference
Pastor honored for Global Ministries support
SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon-Idaho 2025 Annual Conference honored the Rev. Jim Frisbie for his years of commitment to helping others. Frisbie, who became chair of the conference’s Global Ministries team in 2006, helped the mission-lead organization expand its ministry. While no longer on the conference Global Ministries board, he remains an active pilot helping in disaster relief efforts. Kristen Caldwell reports.
Read story |
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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. |
Love more, fear less, in cross-cultural ministry
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (UM News) — For the Rev. KyungHae Anna Shin, the early years of cross-cultural ministry were often confusing or painful. However, she says, she came to see that her difference wasn’t a limitation, but a gift. Choosing to love more and fear less has led to transformation in herself and others, she writes.
Read commentary
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| Church and Society
Deadline extended for grant applications
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has extended the deadline until Sept. 7 for United Methodist congregations and groups to apply online for grants in three categories. The agency administers grants for Peace with Justice, the Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day programs.
Learn more
Apply
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Online course explores K-Pop and Christianity
WASHINGTON — With the animated movie “KPop Demon Hunters” a hit on Netflix and its soundtrack rising on the music charts, many United Methodists may be getting their first introduction to K-Pop (Korean pop music). Wesley Pathways for Ministry is offering a self-paced online course that uses K-Pop hits to reflect on aspects of Christian spirituality. The course costs $35.
Learn more |
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| Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News |
Members rallied to save church after Katrina
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — When the waters released by Hurricane Katrina finally receded, members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church came back to see their beloved church torn apart and covered in mud. Twenty years after the storm, church members talked about their comeback and the joy they feel worshipping in their church again. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story, and Mike DuBose has photos in UM News’ Hope Beyond the Storm series. |
| Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News |
Big update planned for General Conference tech
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A key component of General Conference operations is becoming obsolete. The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency awarded a $1.5 million grant to upgrade the legislative tracking system. In other actions, the board also approved a new legal fund, made changes to United Methodist employee health benefits and received an update on giving so far this year. Heather Hahn reports. |
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Photo by Jenovic Mandandj, UM News |
Studio helps choir spread God’s message
LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — Jerusalem United Methodist Church’s choir is making music and amplifying the church’s message through a new recording studio. The New Covenant United Methodist Choir, one of the oldest and most respected choirs in the region, raised nearly $50,000 to build the modern recording studio and rehearsal space that will benefit members, the community and church ministries. Jenovic Mandandj has the story. |
| Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News |
Celebrating 140 years of Methodist mission
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (UM News) — Clergy, scholars, denominational leaders and descendants of pioneering missionaries Mary and William Scranton gathered to honor the 140-year legacy of Methodist mission in Ohio, Korea and beyond. For three days, the sanctuary of Church of the Saviour United Methodist Church became a crossroads of history, faith and mission. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story. |
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