UM News Digest - April 17, 2026

UM News Digest - April 17, 2026 4 church agencies propose unifying into one Church high school launches uniform factory After concussion, pastor preaches stillness “The unification of these four agencies will allow us to better coordinate our mission and ministry for all levels of The United Methodist Church.” — Dan Krause, top executive of United Methodist Communications. Christ is depicted in a stained-glass window at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News. 4 church agencies propose unifying into one NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Four general agencies are making plans to become one. The proposed unification of United Methodist Communications, Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries as well as Higher Education and Ministry aims to foster better coordination of ministry across The United Methodist Church. Such a union will require General Conference approval. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Read press release Ruvarashe Chinya, a student at The United Methodist Church’s Murewa High School in Murewa, Zimbabwe, is assisted on an edge-stitching machine by teacher-in-charge Memory Maibheka. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News. Church high school launches uniform factory MUREWA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s Murewa High School has launched a uniform factory that combines education and entrepreneurship to create opportunities for students, teachers and communities in Zimbabwe. Headmaster Sydney Mapisaunga projects that by 2027, the factory will be fully operational, with annual profits expected to reach up to $50,000. Kudzai Chingwe reports. Read story Great Plains Conference After concussion, pastor preaches stillness SHAWNEE, Kan. — The road back to health is a long one for the Rev. Matt Ozment after a car accident. His symptoms include headaches, short-term memory loss, confusion and trouble finding the words to express himself. In early March, the United Methodist pastor started a social media page called “The Art of Stillness,” sharing the lessons that a concussion and six months of sitting on the sidelines had taught him. David Burke has the story. Read story Global Ministries New missionaries commissioned NAIROBI, Kenya — Missionaries from 10 nations were commissioned April 8 by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The ceremony at Lavington United Church was filled with joy, renewal and a deep sense of calling. The 17 missionaries will serve in 15 countries, and six of those commissioned will be working in the field of education. Global Ministries staff have the story. Read story and watch video Eastern Pennsylvania, Greater New Jersey conferences Undies for Easter campaign delivers  NORRISTOWN, Pa. — Thousands of briefs, T-shirts and pairs of socks were collected for the Undies for Easter campaign in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Emily Wilton, content coordinator for the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences, was among the United Methodists who delivered the items to people who are incarcerated. She writes about the experience at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. Read story ADVERTISEMENT Higher Education and Ministry Agency starts new fund to support higher education NAIROBI, Kenya — At its April 8-10 meeting, the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry approved a one-time $4 million allocation to create a Regional Conference Higher Education Fund, with potential distributions of $1 million annually for four years. The fund is intended to provide grants to strengthen United Methodist-related colleges and universities in the church’s regional conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. This fund is separate from the theological education endowment supported by Miracle Sunday. Read press release UM News: What churches should know about Miracle Sunday Council of Bishops Deadline approaches for 2 ecumenical events WASHINGTON — United Methodists have two opportunities to engage in the global ecumenical movement — both with deadlines to apply on April 18. The Council of Bishops offers partial scholarships in the amount to $2,000 each to the North American Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute. The second opportunity is United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training, called UMEIT: Plunge. The cost of this training is $4,000 U.S. (or $3,500 for those living in Europe). To receive applications, email the Rev. Jean Hawxhurst at  jhawxhurst@umc-cob.org. Learn more Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News Behind prison walls, expectant mothers encounter grace Read story Photos courtesy of the Martínez family; photo composition by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News Remembering Raquel Martínez, editor of Spanish hymnal Read story Sunday, April 19 Native American Ministries Sunday Monday, April 27 - Monday, May 11 Online course: Leading Missional Small Groups More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos