Churches, Denominations and Religions: UM News Digest

Friday, July 10, 2026

UM News Digest - July 10, 2026

UM News Digest - July 10, 2026

Bishop numbers in US | Pastor-Epstein probe ends | Statement on ICE killing

“We are a faith-based compassion organization that needs more leadership to get our message out there.” — Beata Ferris, a member of the committee that recommends more U.S. bishops.

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez distributes communion to participants during opening worship service on April 23, 2024, at General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Next to him is Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Group advises adding 2 more US bishops
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — While recognizing The United Methodist Church’s financial constraints, a denominational leadership body approved a recommendation to increase the number of U.S. bishops in 2028. The recommendation is the result of a new process for bishop distribution approved at the 2024 General Conference. Heather Hahn has the story.

Read story

Probe ends of pastor who worked for Epstein
COLUMBIA, Mo. (UM News) — The Missouri Conference has reached a resolution with a United Methodist pastor who briefly worked as a property manager for Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. The conference also committed to strengthening its supervisory process of clergy who serve beyond a local church. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read previous UM News story

Texas, Rio Texas and Horizon Texas conferences
Bishops call for transparency after ICE killing
HOUSTON — United Methodist bishops in Texas are calling for transparency in the investigation of the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent July 7. “This is a moral wound to our whole community, and we will not look away from it,” said Bishops Cynthia Fierro Harvey and Rubén Saenz Jr. in a July 10 pastoral statement from the Texas, Rio Texas and Horizon Texas conferences and Texas Impact. They also call for meaningful policy change and an end to “enforcement that terrorizes communities.”
Read statement

South Carolina Conference
Conference resolution champions voting rights
GREENVILLE, S.C. — South Carolina United Methodists made their voices heard at annual conference. The body overwhelmingly passed a resolution defending voting rights, democratic participation and equal representation as a biblical issue. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story

New 2026 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2026 annual conference reports. New this week are the Eastern Pennsylvania, East Ohio, Greater New Jersey, Pacific Northwest and South Carolina conferences.
Read reports

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.

Michigan Conference
The case for a mid-year assessment
LANSING, Mich. — Most churches evaluate their ministry at the end of the year, but the Rev. David S. Bell, president and executive director of the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan and General Council on Finance and Administration board member, urges another assessment halfway through the year. “The midpoint of the year offers pastors and church leaders an ideal opportunity to pause, evaluate and realign,” Bell said. “Summer is an appropriate time to ask whether the church remains focused on its highest calling.”
Read commentary

Finance and Administration
Checklists for tech amid pastor transitions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration offers free checklists to help churches keep their technology needs covered through personnel changes. The checklists aim to help churches protect passwords, manage access and keep ministry moving smoothly.
See the checklists