UM News Digest - July 15, 2026

UM News Digest - July 15, 2026 Young people’s gathering | New AU dorm | Find-a-Church “You are the church now, and you are the church of the future.” — Chris Wilterdink, director of Young People’s Ministries, speaking to youth at the Global Young People’s Convocation. Jesse Aaron Felicitas of Antagan United Methodist Church in Isabela, Philippines, sings during worship at the Global Young People’s Convocation, held July 7-11 in Dublin, Ireland. Photo by the Rev. M. Scott Hughes, Discipleship Ministries. Young people’s gathering energizes connection DUBLIN (UM News) — Breaking from the legislative focus of past gatherings, the 2026 Global Young People’s Convocation shifted toward prioritizing discipleship, cross-cultural connections and authentic relationship-building. The July 7-11 United Methodist forum brought together about 600 young delegates and youth leaders to celebrate, strengthen and actively lead the connectional ministries of the global church. The Rev. Gustavo Vásquez reports. Read story Safe, comfortable campus housing for female students is in high demand at Africa University, given its rural location and the lack of reliable public transportation. Photo courtesy of Africa University. Conferences team up to raise $1.5M for AU dorm NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Responding to Africa University’s pressing need for student housing, two U.S. annual conferences are partnering to raise $1.5 million for building a new dormitory for women. Members of The United Methodist Church’s Upper New York and Susquehanna annual conferences, meeting separately in May and early June, approved the project. Tim Tanton has the story. Read story New England Conference Bishop: Pray, advocate after 2nd ICE death METHUEN, Mass. — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, who leads the New England and New York conferences, offered a pastoral response after the death of Joan Sebastian Guerrero, who was the second person killed by federal immigration officials in less than a week. He called for prayer, advocacy and transparency in the investigation of Guerrero’s death. Read bishop’s statement Ask The UMC Keep Find-a-Church profile fresh NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a new installment of Ask The UMC Shorts, the Rev. Taylor Burton Edwards suggests how often your church should update its Find-a-Church profile. The goal is to keep the information as fresh as possible, he said, noting that the profile is likely the first impression your church is making on potential visitors. Watch video ADVERTISEMENT Religion News Service Latina women in Texas reshape denomination DALLAS — Latina United Methodist Church leaders in Texas are emerging with fresh models for ministry following years of church disaffiliations, decline and uncertainty within the denomination. For many, their leadership is vital to the survival and flourishing of United Methodist congregations across the state and U.S. Chloe Landen and Ellie Ashby have the story.  Read story UM News: Historic church embraces new era of ministry New York Conference Remembering the Rev. John E. Carrington NEW YORK — The New York Conference is remembering the Rev. John E. Carrington, a longtime pastor and New York City leader who died June 26 at age 100. From 1971 to 1999, he was executive director of the United Methodist City Society. For more than 36 years, Carrington was board chairman of Brooklyn’s New York Methodist Hospital, which is now part of the New York Presbyterian Healthcare System. Its Carrington Pavilion bears his name. Lisa Isom has his obituary. Read obituary United Methodist Congress of the Deaf Northeastern Deaf ministry leaders gather WILMINGTON, Del. — People hugged, longtime friends shared updates and hands were flying in ASL during the gathering of Deaf Ministries from across the Northeastern Jurisdiction. The board of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf — a chapter of the Deaf caucus — hosted the June 26-27 gathering at Grace United Methodist Church. The Rev. Leo Yates reports. Read story ADVERTISEMENT 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 Be bold in embracing faith DOWAGIAC, Mich. — As part of the Michigan Conference’s “America at 250” series, the Rev. Chris Momany argues that, as Wesleyans, United Methodists’ best response to the dangerous ideology of Christian Nationalism must be theological and rooted in the Gospel. Read commentary Read series File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Remembering civil rights advocate Clara Ester Read story Photo courtesy of Knox United Church Calgary Leadership Gathering moves ahead amid challenges Read story Aug. 12 Status and Role of Women webinar: How to Do a Salary Study Nov. 6-8 Exploration 2026 More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos