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UM News Digest - Sept. 12, 2025
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“As United Methodists gather for worship over the next several days, we call you to prayer and meaningful action against violence as a means of dispute settlement.” — Bishop Tracy S. Malone on behalf of the Council of Bishops. |
An American flag waves at half-staff in 2018 after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Flags are standing at half-staff again after the Sept. 10 assassination of an activist on a university campus. Photo by Bryan Roschetzky, iStock. |
After assassination, bishops urge peacemaking
OREM, Utah (UM News) — After the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk, as well as deadly attacks earlier this year, United Methodist bishops see a growing threat of political violence. They are calling the faithful to pray and act for peace after a day that also saw a school shooting in Colorado. Heather Hahn reports. |
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park (right) congratulates the Rev. R. Jargaltsetseg during the ordination service at the United Methodist Mongolia Mission Initiative’s annual meeting, held at Gerelt United Methodist Church in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Aug. 30. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News. |
Mongolia Mission marks milestones, maps future
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s Mongolia Mission Initiative celebrated its 23rd anniversary this year with joyful worship and renewed commitments to the future. At its annual meeting, held Aug. 29-31, clergy and laity from across the vast nation celebrated the ordination of a mission elder, the recognition of two newly licensed mission pastors and the commissioning of seven lay ministers. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story. |
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Texas Conference
Special-needs baseball scores with community
HOUSTON — Cheers, laughter and the crack of the bat were heard on the baseball field of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church during its first Game Changers baseball event. Children ages 4 to 13 with disabilities, each paired with a buddy, experienced the joy of playing baseball. More than 50 volunteers of all ages helped the children hit and run the bases. Troy Griffin has the story.
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Global Ministries
UMCOR grants to aid Gaza relief efforts
ATLANTA — People in Gaza will get fresh vegetables and dry food rations after the United Methodist Committee on Relief approved more grant money for organizations on the ground serving the displaced population. The United Palestinian Appeal was awarded $200,000 to provide food aid for 3,275 displaced households. Another $200,000 is going to the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees of the Middle East Council of Churches for a humanitarian relief project to help people in Rafah and South Gaza fleeing bombardment. Christie R. House has the story.
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Great Plains Conference
United Methodists and Lutherans share building
GERING, Neb. — When members of Gering United Methodist Church accepted they had to sell their building to survive, things started looking up. The United Methodist congregation now shares a sanctuary with Rejoice Lutheran Church. “Our whole journey has been that we are the church, not the building,” said the Rev. Bethann Black, pastor at Gering. David Burke reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Getting back to Wesleyan basics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the latest episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the Rev. Chris Heckert discusses his new book about how the earliest Methodist practices can be helpful in the current challenging circumstances of the church. Heckert wrote “Calling on Fire: Reclaiming the Method of Methodism” with Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.
Listen to podcast |
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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. |
Status and Role of Women
Why it matters to take complaints seriously
CHICAGO — As the director of sexual ethics for the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, Tyler Schwaller thinks a lot about complaints. He offers advice on how to respond with care. “In almost every complaint I have ever received, survivors have two primary motivations: to stop the harm and to ensure it does not happen again, with concern not only for themselves but for others as well,” he writes.
Read commentary |
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| Religion and Race
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
WASHINGTON — Resources to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month are available from the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. The annual event is Sept. 15-Oct. 15. A book study is available, along with a webinar series on Understanding AfroLatinidad and an infographic.
Learn more
See resources |
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| File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News |
Volunteers in Mission embark on new chapter
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — United Methodist Volunteers in Mission leaders are planning a long future for short-term missions even as their post-disaffiliation denomination grapples with the challenges of tighter budgets and shrinking federal aid programs. They gathered near Chicago to learn more about VIM, Inc., which allows greater mission collaboration across institutional lines. Heather Hahn reports. |
| Photo by Geraldo Martins, West Angola Conference |
African bishops celebrate growth, affirm church unity
LUANDA, Angola (UM News) — United Methodist bishops in Africa are celebrating the growth of the church on the continent, including the creation of two new episcopal areas and a new central conference. During the Africa Colleges of Bishops meeting Sept. 1-4, they also affirmed their support for regionalization as “a faithful and strategic path forward.” Eveline Chikwanah has the story. |
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Photo by Karl Anders Ellingsen, UM News |
After division, church sees new life and local honor
FLEKKEFJORD, Norway (UM News) — After last year’s General Conference, a United Methodist church in Norway saw much of its congregation leave. Now, the church is rebounding and receiving recognition for its inclusive stance toward LGBTQ people in the community. “We want to be an open community, where there is room for different opinions and where we wish each other well,” said new member Christina Louise Frøysland. Karl Anders Ellingsen has the story. |
| Photo by Ben Smith, UM News |
Africa University restarts malaria program
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Africa University has reopened its malaria program months after a U.S. executive order abruptly froze international aid. The United Methodist Church’s Board of Global Ministries is providing emergency funding for the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Program in Malaria and is committed to helping to sustain the program to ensure continuity in Zimbabwe’s fight against one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. Ben Smith reports. |
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