UM News Digest

UM News Digest - Sept. 5, 2025 Mission school offers hope to vulnerable students Global AIDS addresses needs in Africa Policeman turned pastor seeks justice “I have time to study and worship God. We feel safe and supported. … We are growing in more than just academics.” — 17-year-old Loiswitter Nyatsone, on living at a new boarding school at United Methodist Dindi Mission in Zimbabwe. Students dance with joy after a worship service at Dindi Mission’s primary school in Mutawatawa, Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News. Mission school offers hope to vulnerable students MUTAWATAWA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A new low-cost boarding school is giving more students access to education in the communities surrounding United Methodist Dindi Mission. Many students had been rising before dawn to trek long distances to reach the mission’s schools. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story The Rev. Sunny Brown Farley, coordinator of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee, helps cut the ribbon on a new house built for a mother living with HIV in Rwanda. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Donald E. Messer. Global AIDS addresses needs in Africa MOHETO, Kenya (UM News) — U.S. funding cuts could reverse the progress made in fighting AIDS in Africa, according to participants attending a workshop on HIV prevention in Kenya. The Rev. Sunny Brown Farley, coordinator of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee, led the training and also helped to dedicate two homes in Rwanda that the committee built for women living with HIV. The Rev. Donald E. Messer reports. Read story Texas Conference Policeman turned pastor seeks justice ONALASKA, Texas — The Rev. Brian Wharton, who leads Onalaska First United Methodist Church, is seeking to overturn a death sentence that he played a part in as a policeman 23 years ago. After leaving law enforcement and answering God’s call to become a pastor, Wharton carried doubts about whether justice had been served. The Rev. Cheryl Smith and Kelsey Johnson have the story. Read story Northern Illinois Conference Bishop: Prayerfully prepare for possible deployment CHICAGO — United Methodists in Chicago are being urged by Bishop Daniel W. Schwerin to respond as Jesus would to National Guard troops possibly being deployed to the city. “In the face of Roman occupation, Jesus chose neither violent revolt nor passive withdrawal, but another way, the way of nonviolent resistance,” Schwerin wrote in a letter. “Let’s practice a closer walk with Jesus by means of the Lord’s Prayer lifted more often and lived more deeply, especially when events increase the rhetoric of violence.” Read letter Baltimore-Washington Conference Celebrating 75 years in the church choir SILVER SPRINGS, Md. — Marilyn Swafford Boerum is 90 and has spent 83 of those years attending Colesville United Methodist Church. For 75 years, she has been serving in the church choir. Boerum credits her longevity to “good genes, moderation and vegetables from the garden.” But her true source of strength is faith, she says. Kenneth Clark has the story. Read story Florida Conference Lessons from Northern Ireland’s struggles LAKELAND, Fla. — When communication is fractured, hardened division is the result. To see what that can lead to, one only has to study the history of Northern Ireland. Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin joined the Rev. David Miller, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church Winter Park, on a recent trip to Belfast to seek insights in addressing conflict in the U.S. Joe Henderson reports. Read story ADVERTISEMENT Great Plains Conference Church blooms after split GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Church officials say Garden City First United Methodist Church is more like a church plant than a veteran congregation after a disaffiliation vote cost it about half its members. Thanks to a retired United Methodist pastor and a willingness to start over, Garden City is ready to enter full bloom. David Burke has the story. Read story Tampa Bay Times United Methodist pastor arrested in mural protest ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A United Methodist pastor was arrested after attempting to block state crews from covering up a Black History Matters street mural, according to St. Petersburg Police. The Rev. Andy Oliver of Allendale United Methodist Church was arrested Aug. 29 alongside Benedict Atherton-Zeman, a minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Colleen Wright reports. Read story United Methodist Creation Justice Movement Letter calls for prioritizing creation justice ATLANTA — The coordinating team of the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement sent a letter Sept. 2 to the United Methodist Council of Bishops, asking that it incorporate creation justice in all aspects of United Methodist ministry. The group seeks dialogue, strategic action and support to address creation care and environmental stewardship. “Our call for creation justice is a call to protect, restore and rightly share the gifts of creation for the sake of the community of all creation. The United Methodist Church needs the leadership of our bishops,” the letter states. Read letter   See 2025 annual conference reports NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week is the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference. Read reports ADVERTISEMENT Resurrection, a United Methodist Church Registration open for Leadership Institute LEAWOOD, Kan. — Registration is open for RISE: Leadership Institute 2025 at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church. The Oct. 1-3 conference can be attended in-person or online. Speakers include Bishop Tracy S. Malone and the Rev. Adam Hamilton. Price to attend ranges from $159 to $399. Learn more Register Sunday, Oct. 26 - Tuesday, Oct. 28 UMAC 2025 Annual Meeting Friday, May 15 - Sunday May 17 United Women in Faith Assembly 2026 More United Methodist events Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News Grandparents, kids connect at camp   ARLINGTON, S.D. (UM News) — A unique United Methodist summer camp gives grandparents and grandchildren one-on-one time to create stronger bonds and lasting memories. Grandparents and Me Camp includes days and nights of water sports, campfires and worship. Participants say the camp provides quality time to bond and share their faith. The camp is a mission of The United Methodist Church’s Dakotas Conference. Lilla Marigza has the story. Watch video Photo courtesy of Laurel Akin Diaconal vision for Africa becomes reality   MOSHI, Tanzania (UM News) — For the first time, a United Methodist deaconess/home missioner consecration was held on African soil. Fifteen candidates were consecrated, with ministries including education, environmental justice, elder care and digital literacy. Deaconess Leah Wandera, who serves as Africa Region coordinator for the Deaconess/Home Missioner Office, said that 28 additional African candidates are currently in formation. Gad Maiga reports. Read story