UM News Digest - March 30, 2026
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Court victory for United Methodists in Nigeria
ABUJA, Nigeria (UM News) — A high court has ruled in favor of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, declaring the church’s deregistration by a breakaway group in 2024 “null and void.” The March 30 ruling comes after more than a year of legal wrangles in the courts between The United Methodist Church in Nigeria and the Global Methodist Church. “Let us move forward not in division, but in grace, humility and love,” said United Methodist Bishop Ande Emmanuel as he extended an olive branch to members of the Global Methodist Church. The Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta and Eveline Chikwanah report. |
Faith leaders carry a banner lifting up Jesus’ call for social justice in Matthew 25 during a Palm Sunday Witness in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. |
“Today we wave our palm branches; we march and cry out in solidarity with our neighbors, ‘Hosanna. God save us.’” — The Rev. Eric Mayle, pastor of Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville. |
The Rev. Eric Mayle leads a litany of lament during a Palm Sunday Witness at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. |
United Methodists march on Palm Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists joined with other Christians in some 30 cities and 16 states across the U.S. on Palm Sunday to stand in solidarity with the marginalized. In Nashville, marchers waving palm fronds and protest signs walked in silence to the Tennessee State Capitol to stand against rising authoritarianism, racism and Christian nationalism. Mike DuBose has the story and photos. |
| Coming up: UM News’ Lilla Marigza offers a video report, talking with United Methodists about the symbolism behind the Palm Sunday Witness and why they are choosing to live out their faith in public. |
The Rev. Moses Kumar, top executive of the United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration, speaks on April 24, 2024, at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News. |
Kumar looks back on helming finance agency
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Rev. Moses Kumar is retiring after 17 years as top executive of The United Methodist Church’s General Council on Finance and Administration. He shepherded the denomination’s finances during one of the most tumultuous times in Methodism’s history. During his tenure, he also became a licensed local pastor. Heather Hahn has the story.
Read story |
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People, Today
Church gym’s biblical murals go viral
MADISON, Ala. — A video featuring the murals at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Alabama went viral after being shared on social media. The murals are creative spins on biblical figures playing sports — including “Air Moses” and “Pickleball Paul.” The Rev. Brittany Dawkins-Camp says the art and gym are part of the church’s community-focused mission. Both People magazine and “Today” show have featured the story.
Read People story
Read “Today” story
United Methodist Communications
Pioneers in Methodism: Karen Oliveto
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — From a Sunday School class in Long Island, New York, where she found her calling, to becoming the first openly gay bishop in The United Methodist Church, Bishop Karen Oliveto has been a pioneer in voicing and enacting God’s love for all people. Vicki Wallace has her story for UMC.org’s Pioneers in Methodism series.
Read story
Finance and Administration
Board approves funding for planning work ahead
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration board on March 27 approved a $235,000 grant to cover the work of the Standing Committee on Regional Conference Matters Outside the USA through the 2028 General Conference. The committee is leading the development of proposals for what in the Book of Discipline applies to the entire denomination and what can be adapted by regional conferences. The finance agency’s board also approved $90,000 for the meetings of the interim committee organizing the first session of the U.S. Regional Conference.
UM News: Making regionalization a reality for the church
UM News: Bishops name US Regional Conference organizers |
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Alabama-West Florida Conference, AL.com
Conference plans to appeal judge’s property ruling
DOTHAN, Ala. — An Alabama judge has denied the United Methodist denomination’s claim to own a megachurch that broke away from the denomination. Harvest Church went to court more than three years ago to leave The United Methodist Church without going through the then-operational disaffiliation process. “We are disappointed in this ruling of the Harvest UMC case; however, we remain confident in the strength of our position and our understanding of the trust clause. The Alabama-West Florida Conference will be filing an appeal,” the conference said in a statement.
Read AL.com story
World Council of Churches
Closure of Church of Holy Sepulchre decried
JERUSALEM — In what church leaders are calling “a grave precedent,” Israeli police prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on March 29 to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The move comes as Israeli authorities restrict access to religious sites in East Jerusalem amid the war with Iran, including Al Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall. The church has been closed to parishioners and pilgrims since hostilities with Iran began, though clergy have continued services inside. The World Council of Churches reports.
Read story
Read Easter message from Jerusalem |
| Endowing United Methodist Theological Education
Final preparations underway for Miracle Sunday
ZURICH — The United Methodist Church is preparing for a historic moment as congregations from more than 100 countries join together for Miracle Sunday on May 17. The goal of the one-time offering: Help endow 500 annual scholarships in perpetuity, ensuring that theological education outside the United States is strengthened for generations to come.
Read press release
Learn more
Immigration Law and Justice Network
Network shares annual report
ANNANDALE, Va. — The Immigration Law and Justice Network’s 2025 annual report is posted. The network reports serving more than 6,000 low-income immigrants from 129 nations and taking on nearly 19,000 cases last year. “As we confront a profoundly difficult time, we offer our reflections on a passionate and focused year of responding to crisis and scaling up to expand the impact of our work,” write Alba Jaramillo and Melissa Bowe, co-executive directors.
Read press release
Read report (PDF)
Read report (Flipbook) |
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| Photos courtesy of the Martínez family; photo composition by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News |
Martínez embodies legacy of Latina women on worship |
| United Methodists hooked on fish fries too |
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