UM News Digest - Feb. 13, 2026
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“There will be no bullhorns. Day on the Hill is not a day of protest. Think of it as a field trip for faith in action.” — The Rev. Timothy Holton-Overcast, one of the organizers of United Methodist Day on the Hill, said in a pre-event briefing. |
The Rev. Shelby Slowey, pastor of South End United Methodist Church in Nashville explains how United Methodist Social Principles apply to current proposed legislation related to the death penalty in Tennessee. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News. |
Churchgoers take Social Principles to lawmakers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Over 200 United Methodists participated in United Methodist Day on the Hill at the Tennessee Capitol. The day of advocacy for United Methodist Social Principles was sponsored by the Tennessee-Western Kentucky and Holston Conferences. Lilla Marigza reports. |
The Rev. Colleen Bookter, a United Methodist, dances in New Orleans Mardi Gras parades as a member of the dance krewe Sassyracs. “There is nothing like hundreds of thousands of people in the crowd cheering you on and dancing along with you,” she said. Photo by Nkechi Chibueze, courtesy of Bookter. |
Pastor dances with joy in Mardi Gras parades
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — The Rev. Colleen Bookter, a United Methodist pastor, annually trades in her clerical robe for a red skirt to join in parades as part of Fat Tuesday festivities. She calls her role in a dance krewe “a chance to be silly and sassy and celebrate community.” Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
Read story |
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Monks end trek with United Methodist stop
WASHINGTON — After more than 100 days and 2,300 miles on foot, the Venerable monks of the Dhammacetiya concluded their Walk for Peace in the U.S. capital. On Feb. 10, they arrived first at United Methodist-related American University and later at National United Methodist Church, where they took their one meal of the day, before continuing on to Washington National Cathedral. Alison Burdett has the story.
Read story
Pacific Northwest, New England conferences
‘Souper Bowl’ food challenge unites churches
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Just as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots on football’s biggest stage, both the Pacific Northwest and New England conferences were winners in this year’s Souper Bowl Food Drive Challenge. The Pacific Northwest claimed the win in food collection, while New England led in financial generosity. Patrick Scriven and Benjamin Musasizi each have the story.
Read Pacific Northwest Conference story
Read New England Conference story |
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Arkansas Conference
Church celebrates multiple living kidney donors
ROGERS, Ark. — Liz Lusk will soon receive a desperately needed second kidney transplant not from a family member or stranger but from a fellow member of Central United Methodist Church in Rogers. The church now has four living kidney donors who have offered the gift of life. Kelli Reep has the story.
Read story
Florida Conference
Church members report rising fear of ICE
LAKELAND, Fla. — With reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement deporting Cubans in record numbers, United Methodist church leaders around Florida report on the fears their congregants are facing. “Our community has Colombians Venezuelans, Haitians, Dominicans, and they all are sharing the same fear,” First Kissimmee Senior Pastor Jose Nieves said. Joe Henderson reports.
Read story |
| United Methodist Communications
1,200 sign up to speak out for immigrants
WASHINGTON — Some 1,200 United Methodists and faith partners from across the U.S. plan to gather in the nation’s capital on Feb. 25 for “Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice.” The event encourages people of faith to join for a day of worship, prayer and peaceful advocacy.
Read press release
Council of Bishops
In DHS talks, bishop joins call for accountability
WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone has joined with other faith leaders in a letter to the U.S. Congress ahead of the Feb. 13 deadline to determine funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The letter says, in part: “Our churches have decried denial of due process and recent violence by federal law enforcement agents, including the shootings of Keith Porter Jr., Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents. We call for investigation, accountability and justice in these cases.”
Read press release
Read letter (PDF)
Endowment for Theological Education
Miracle Sunday aims for educational access
ZURICH — The Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines, initiated by the Council of Bishops, announces the launch of the “Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously – Miracle Sunday” initiative. The initiative aims to address deep inequity in access to theological education.
Read press release |
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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. |
Celebrate Black History Month by listening
BELFAST, Maine (UM News) — Key figures in the Civil Rights Movement were interviewed on “Night Call,” a late 1960s-era call-in radio program from United Methodist Communications. You can still hear these voices on the SoundTheology Religion Audio Archive. The Rev. Mike Hickcox writes about keeping these voices alive in our minds and hearts.
Read commentary |
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| Kairos Response, Methodist Federation for Social Action
Webinar examines ‘Faith in a Time of Genocide’
BETHLEHEM, West Bank — Three United Methodist bishops plan to join two Palestinian Christian leaders in discussing the new Palestinian Christian document “A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide.” The webinar is scheduled at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb.18. Speakers include Bishops Julius Trimble, Ciriaco Francisco and Ande Emmanuel.
Learn more and register
Cokesbury
Books for Black History Month
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Books about the Rev. James Lawson, social witness, searching for one’s roots and Juneteenth are among many available from the United Methodist Publishing House through the Cokesbury website.
See available books |
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| Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News |
United Methodists ordain first elders in Honduras |
| Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Conference |
Sager Brown Depot to close as UMCOR shifts relief kit work |
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