Churches, Denominations and Religions: UM News Digest

UM News Digest - Feb. 4, 2026

Connect with God in nature during Lent
Wood bank is a ministry of warmth
Center helps neighbors in need

“One of the things that we really tried to focus on in this book was giving people permission to … simply be with God in God’s creation.” — The Rev. Teresa Angle-Young, co-author of a new Lenten devotional.

The Rev. Teresa Angle-Young found God in creation on long walks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Angle-Young and the Rev. Jessie Colwell have written a Lenten devotional focused on creation care. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Connect with God in nature during Lent
DAWSONVILLE, Ga. (UM News) — The Revs. Teresa Angle-Young and Jessie Squires Colwell invite readers to engage in simple spiritual exercises to reconnect with God through nature. The two United Methodist pastors co-authored a Lenten devotional called “Creation’s Call: A Lenten Guide to Spiritual Renewal.” Lilla Marigza speaks with the authors about some of their favorite creation care and self-care practices from the book.

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New England Conference
Wood bank is a ministry of warmth
METHUEN, Mass. — A wood bank in rural Maine helps low-income families save $100 to $150 on a cord of wood, reducing the financial strain of heating during long winters. The Franklin County Wood Bank serves Franklin County, a rural area with dense forests, small towns and mountainous terrain. Roughly 12% of residents live below the poverty line. United Methodist churches help to fund the ministry. Benjamin Musasizi reports.
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Rio Texas Conference
Center helps neighbors in need
SAN MARCOS, Texas — For nearly a century, Southside Community Center has been putting faith into action providing meals, emergency assistance, housing, transitional shelter and emergency weather shelter. A United Women in Faith National Mission Institution, Southside also plays a key role in the city’s Strategic Action Plan on Homelessness. Hannah Ortiz has the story.
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Regional Conference of Central and Southern Europe
Bishop gathers church leaders in North Africa
TUNIS, Tunisia — United Methodist pastors and lay leaders from North Africa, representatives from France and Switzerland and guests from the Methodist Church in Italy gathered to share experiences and prayer. The gathering was hosted by Freddy Nzambe, North Africa District superintendent, and Bishop Stefan Zürcher, who leads the Central and Southern Europe Episcopal Area, which includes Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa. The program featured devotions and Bible studies, discussions on current issues and time for fellowship. Bishop Zürcher offers a report.
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United Methodist Communications
Recap spotlights United Methodists ‘loving boldly’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new episode of “The Recap” celebrates unique ministries at United Methodist churches in Kansas, Michigan, Texas and Zimbabwe. Produced by United Methodist Communications, this video series helps congregations gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church, find inspiration in stories of ministry and learn how the denomination is transforming the world.
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KTLA-5
Congregant arrested in immigration raid
LOS ANGELES — Leaders of North Hills United Methodist Church are outraged and devastated after they say federal immigration agents forced their way onto the grounds of a church during a feeding ministry. The agents arrested Carlos Chavez, who church officials say helps with children’s ministries. Will Conybeare has the 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.

Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Some considerations for speaking up
WASHINGTON — In times of public tragedy and social tension, church leaders are often left discerning whether and how to speak in faithful response. Recent events in Minnesota have sharpened these questions. The Rev. Jonathan Page, Lewis Center director, offers five guiding principles for speaking with wisdom, humility and conviction.
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Finance and Administration, Wespath
Financial well-being as faithful stewardship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Across denominations, studies consistently show that clergy experience higher than average financial stress, often compounded by student loan debt, modest compensation and the unique realities of itinerant ministry. The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance agency, and Wespath, the benefits and investments agency, offer resources to help clergy’s financial well-being.
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