UM News Digest - Aug. 31, 2026
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“We have good reasons to celebrate creator God and to rejoice in creation, which will hopefully inspire us to better care for God’s gifts.” — Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, co-ecumenical officer of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. |
Sunlight filters through old-growth redwoods, some as tall as 300 feet, at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve near Guerneville, Calif. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News. |
Creation celebration added to church year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists are joining with fellow Protestants as well as Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians in adding a shared season that focuses on God, the Creator. The new season, which includes suggested Bible readings, comes amid an ecumenical call for climate justice action. Heather Hahn has the story. |
The Rev. Heather J. Zisengwe, superintendent for The United Methodist Church’s Bulawayo Midlands District in Zimbabwe, holds a baby at a transit camp set up by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches for migrants who have left South Africa amid anti-immigration protests. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Heather J. Zisengwe. |
African churches respond to migration crisis
JOHANNESBURG (UM News) — United Methodists in southern Africa are providing humanitarian relief to undocumented migrants who have fled anti-immigration attacks in South Africa in recent months. The United Methodist Church has donated and distributed food, clothing, toiletries, healthcare and counseling for displaced families. Alvin Makunike and Eveline Chikwanah report.
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Texas Conference
Lydia Patterson students heading to college
HOUSTON — All 45 2026 graduates of the United Methodist-related Lydia Patterson Institute are headed to college. A 100% acceptance rate was touted by Carla Cardoza, president of Lydia Patterson, during a recent speech to Texas Conference officials. Lydia Patterson is a private, faith-based college-preparatory school that serves as a unique educational bridge along the U.S.–Mexico border. Kelsey Johnson and Renata Figueroa Sánchez have the story.
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Florida Conference
State Supreme Court closes church-exit suit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court has ended a 4-year-old lawsuit dealing with church disaffiliations. The result leaves intact the Book of Discipline’s trust clause. In 2022, 106 United Methodist churches sued the Florida Conference to leave with property without following the denomination’s disaffiliation process. In 2023, a lower court dismissed the suit and most churches in the suit ended up using the denomination’s exit procedure. On Aug. 14, the state Supreme Court declined to accept jurisdiction and denied the five remaining churches’ petition for review. The conference has an overview.
Read conference statement
UM News: Exiting Florida churches’ lawsuit dismissed |
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Duke Divinity School
Church faces question: Fence off or feed
LAS CRUCES N.M. — When students from Camino Real Middle School started waiting for their ride home in the adjacent parking lot of Morning Star United Methodist Church, a decision had to be made. The church could welcome the students or ask them not to congregate on church property. The church’s decision to be welcoming transformed its ministry. Lillian Lammers has a report on what happened.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
State lawmakers honor church’s anniversary
FRACKVILLE, Pa. — More than 100 people of multiple generations joined in a special worship service to celebrate the 146th anniversary of First United Methodist Church of Frackville. Among those marking the occasion were local leaders and state lawmakers, who recognized the church’s outreach. Arturo Bautista has the story.
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| Photo by Yomiuri Shimbun, via AP |
Churches mobilize after deadly Nepal-Tibet floods |
| Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News |
‘Prayerful witness’ offered for immigrants |
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