UM News Digest - Oct. 28, 2026

UM News Digest - Oct. 28, 2026 General Conference site | Highland Park vote | Judicial Council “The commission made the decision to include the most people possible.” — The Rev. Andy Call, chair of the Commission on the General Conference. Harare, Zimbabwe, has been chosen as the second host location for the 2028 General Conference. Photo by Brandon Mushori via Wikimedia Commons. Zimbabwe added as 2nd General Conference site NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — For the first time, organizers plan for The United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly to take place across two locations, and one of those will be on the African continent for the first time. Since last year, the Commission on the General Conference has planned to add a second site because of increasing U.S. travel restrictions. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Photo courtesy of Highland Park United Methodist Church via Wikipedia Highland Park votes to leave United Methodist Church DALLAS (UM News) — After two days of voting, members of Highland Park United Methodist Church approved a resolution cutting ties with The United Methodist Church. “Beginning this Sunday, we will worship as Highland Park Methodist Church,” the church council said in a letter to members. The vote comes amid the church’s legal battle with the Horizon Texas Conference, which argues “a congregational vote does not, by itself, sever a local church’s relationship with The United Methodist Church.” Jim Patterson has the story. Read story Top court postpones ruling over Hispanic church closure NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The United Methodist Judicial Council has postponed a ruling related to a dispute over a church closing in California, but issued two memorandums on other agenda items during its Oct. 21-23 fall meeting. Linda Bloom reports. Read story New York Conference Pastor answers call on own terms WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — It is no accident that one of the Rev. Adrienne Brewington’s favorite songs is the old Muppet classic “Bein’ Green.” Throughout her career, inside and outside ministry, Brewington has brought her full self to every space she entered and to every ministry she has shepherded. Amid life’s storms, what comes through is an unshakable faith and a pastor’s heart. Lisa Isom and Joy Duckett Cain have her story.  Read story Florida Conference Black women clergy build sisterhood LAKELAND, Fla. — While women in general had a difficult path to become ordained clergy in The United Methodist Church, Black women have had an even steeper hill to climb. Today, the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church has 44 Black women clergy. The Rev. Latricia Scriven, who serves Anona United Methodist Church in Largo, and the Rev. Jana Hall-Perkins from McCabe United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg decided they all needed to get to know each other better. That was the impetus behind the recent Black Clergy Women retreat. Joe Henderson reports. Read story ADVERTISEMENT South Carolina Advocate Advocate makes digital content free COLUMBIA, S.C. — Beginning this month, all South Carolina United Methodist Advocate digital content is free, from the website, e-newsletter and e-edition to all the articles and features on its app. Print subscriptions will remain available for a fee. Leaders are calling it the Advocate for All Plan, and they say it arose in the spirit of generosity, faith and a desire to be a full ministry operation.  Read press release Andrew College College granted nearly $3 million  CUTHBERT, Ga. — A small college affiliated with The United Methodist Church is getting a five-year, $2.99 million federal grant to use artificial intelligence and other methods to better serve students. Andrew College has been awarded a Strengthening Institutions Program grant, which will allow it to “better prepare graduates for an increasingly technology-driven workforce.”  Read press release ADVERTISEMENT Immigration Law and Justice Network Webinar set for Oct. 29 on ‘Homicide by Policy’ ANNADALE, Va. — A U.S. Border Patrol policy that allows those who attempt unauthorized border crossings to be released into dangerous desert environments may have caused thousands of deaths, says Gabriella Soto, a professor at Arizona State University. Soto will speak during a webinar at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Oct. 29. Sponsors include the United Methodist Board of Church and Society; the United Methodist Committee on Relief; United Women in Faith; the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race; Immigration Law and Justice Network of Northern Illinois; and Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans. Learn more Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Gathering offers 16 ideas for church future Read story File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News Court revives suit to block ICE from churches Read story Nov. 2-14 Campus Ministry: Empowering Congregations to Support Students Nov. 30-Dec. 18 Online course: Life Together in the United Methodist Connection More United Methodist events UMNews.org | UM News Photos