UM News Digest - Aug. 14, 2026 |
“We live in the most connected age in history, and most of us feel desperately alone and lonely. It’s true in leadership. It’s true in the church. It’s true in life.” — Carey Nieuwhof, speaking during the RISE UP conference. |
Participants toss beach balls around in a time of fellowship during the SCD 2026 — RISE UP: Love, Serve, Lead conference, held Aug. 2-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Scott Hughes, Discipleship Ministries. |
Church called to ‘rise up’ amid loneliness, AI
COLUMBUS, Ohio (UM News) — Pastors and lay leaders gathered Aug. 2-5 for the SCD 2026 — RISE UP conference, a biennial event to help equip clergy and lay leaders to plant, revitalize and innovate local churches. Two presentations focused on artificial intelligence and the way it and other technology can foster loneliness. Participants heard how the church can be a refuge for those grappling with loneliness. Jim Patterson reports. |
The Rev. Theon Johnson III (right), senior pastor at Campbell United Methodist Church in Campbell, California, raises his hands in prayer during the RISE UP conference in Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Scott Hughes, Discipleship Ministries. |
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Michigan Conference
Pedals and Prayers serves cyclists
NORTH BRANCH, Mich. — First United Methodist Church’s new outreach ministry, Pedals and Prayers, provides adaptive bicycles at no cost to individuals with mobility challenges. The initiative was founded by church members and avid cyclists Mary and Terry Jankowske. “The sunshine on your face, the fresh air and the fellowship and fitness should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability,” the ministry leaders said. Glenn M. Wagner has the story.
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Iowa Conference
Bringing VBS to rural children
GRANGER, Iowa — Children in rural Iowa are getting to experience vacation Bible school with support from Mobile United Methodist Missionaries. Director Cherie Miner said the group’s programs are evolving to meet the needs of small, rural and ecumenical congregations — and are drawing increased community interest. She visited Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Granger during the church’s first night of VBS. Iowa Conference staff have the story.
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Holston Conference
Foundation awards 75 ministry grants
ALCOA, Tenn. — Respite for dementia caretakers. Diapers for babies in low-income families. And lots of support for food ministries and summer camp for children. These are examples of needs that the Holston Foundation helped meet by awarding 75 ministry grants to churches and other groups that totaled $263,000. Annette Spence reports.
Read story |
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| United Methodist Insight
Publisher acquires online journal
DALLAS — Market Square Publishing, publisher of books by United Methodist authors, has acquired United Methodist Insight, a 15-year-old online news-and-views journal covering The United Methodist Church. The transition was announced Aug. 13 by Insight editor and founder Cynthia B. Astle and Market Square Publisher Kevin Slimp.
Read press release
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| | 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. |
United Methodist Focus
The journey to ‘Hymn of Promise’
WASHINGTON — United Methodists are a “singing people,” and each generation brings new United Methodist hymn writers who help renew worship. The Rev. Lovett Weems tells the story of Natalie Sleeth, whose “Hymn of Promise” has become a much-beloved way to mark all sorts of beginnings.
Read commentary
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| Church and Society
How to become an election observer
WASHINGTON — As the United States prepares for the 2026 midterm elections, the United Methodist Board of Church and Society has created the “UMC Election Observers Program” to equip United Methodists to serve as nonpartisan election observers. The online training is at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Tuesdays, Aug. 18-Sept. 22.
Learn more and register |
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| Maps courtesy of the South Georgia Conference, adapted by UM News |
Georgia unification gains final approval |
| Photo courtesy of Highland Park United Methodist Church via Wikipedia |
Conference sues its largest congregation |
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