UM News Weekly Digest

UM News Digest - July 2, 2025 Center provides hope for women in Congo U.S. Supreme Court rulings challenge church Farmers market sprouts in parking lot “The Mama Lynn Center is a gift from God. … Lives are transformed every day.” — United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda. The Rev. Birgitte French (second from right) of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference addresses a class at the Mama Lynn Center in Kindu, Congo. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News. Center provides hope for women in Congo KINDU, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church built the Mama Lynn Center to give hope to abandoned, stigmatized and vulnerable women in eastern Congo. A United Methodist delegation from the U.S. visited recently, strengthening the partnership for mission with eastern Congo, particularly the center. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story. Read story U.S. Supreme Court rulings challenge church WASHINGTON (UM News) — United Methodist leaders are raising alarms after the U.S. Supreme Court closed out its term by making it easier for the Trump administration to deport people to “third countries,” where they risk torture, and making it harder for lower-court judges to stop Trump’s salvo against birthright citizenship. This is not the time to stay silent about church teachings, leaders say. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Great Plains Conference Farmers market sprouts in parking lot TOPEKA, Kan. — Campus ministries at Washburn University and University United Methodist Church across the street have combined efforts to launch a farmers market that also offers books and crafts. The Rev. Earl Williams, who is both the church’s pastor and leader of the campus ministries, said the market is sure to expand in what has been a food desert. David Burke has the story. Read story California-Pacific Conference After long journey, church celebrates Pride Month LOS ANGELES — For Centenary United Methodist Church, this year’s Pride Month in June was the culmination of a journey that began some 30 years ago. In the 1990s, the Japanese American congregation started its exploration of becoming a Reconciling church before finally joining the network of LGBTQ-inclusive congregations late last year. Yami Lares has the story. Read story New 2025 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week are the California-Pacific, East Ohio, New Mexico and Northern Illinois conferences.  Read reports No Friday Digest this week There will be no Friday Digest on July 4 in honor of U.S. Independence Day. The Digest will resume July 7. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Bethune-Cookman, Florida Conference Albert Mosley named Bethune-Cookman president DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Albert Mosley takes office July 7 as the eighth president of United Methodist-related Bethune-Cookman University. Mosley has long experience leading United Methodist higher education. Bethune-Cookman, founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, is one of 11 historically Black institutions supported by the denomination’s Black College Fund. The Florida Conference also extends its congratulations.  Read Bethune-Cookman press release Read Florida Conference press release Status and Role of Women Status and Role of Women hires three NEW YORK — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women announced it has hired three new staff members. They are the Rev. Tyler Schwaller as director of sexual ethics; the Rev. Katrena King as the director of monitoring and resource development; and the Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig as director of leadership development and community engagement. The staff succeed Becky Posey Williams, who is retiring, and the Rev. Denise Smartt Sears, who is moving to a new church appointment.  Read press release 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. Our Moral Moment, GreenFaith Protests grow against ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ NEW YORK — United Methodist pastors have been among those speaking out against the budget reconciliation bill dubbed the Big Beautiful Bill that passed the U.S. Senate on July 1. At least three United Methodist pastors — the Revs. Darryl Dayson, Joel Simpson and Karen Honeycutt Roberts — were among 38 “moral witnesses” arrested June 30 for praying in the Capitol Rotunda and blocking the street. United Methodists also were among the signers of a letter coordinated by the nonprofit GreenFaith that asked U.S. lawmakers to reject the bill, which is now before the U.S. House of Representatives. Activists Bishop William Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove write about the Moral Monday protest that led to the arrests, and GreenFaith has the letter. Read Barber and Wilson-Hartgrove commentary Read GreenFaith press release Read letter Monday, July 21 - Friday, Aug. 1 Online course: Engaging ‘Nones’ with spirituality Monday, July 21 - Friday, Aug. 1 Online course: Embracing personal prayer More United Methodist events Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Deaf missionary welcomes, inspires community   MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Jubilation permeated the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in Zimbabwe’s Hilltop Circuit as “Pastor Collins” Kwasi Prempeh, the first Deaf United Methodist Global Missionary, was introduced. He is focused on inclusion in worship and ministries as well as empowerment of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Church programs help young farmer pursue dream   HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Despite struggling academically, 18-year-old Tafadzwa Chingosho is finding success in pepper farming after being trained by The United Methodist Church. The 18-year-old United Methodist grew his skills through Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Kudzai Chingwe reports. Read story

UM News Weekly Digest

UM News Digest - June 27, 2025 United Methodists provide vital aid in Congo High court: Church can sue for SMU control Civil War-era bell rings again “People were starting to die because of the famine, and today the church, through UMCOR, has just donated food. It’s a big step.” — Zacky Kabunga, deputy in charge of projects in the Kivu Conference. Community representative Janvier Murhula (left) thanks The United Methodist Church during the distribution of food supplies in Bukavu, Congo. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News. United Methodists provide vital aid in Congo BUKAVU, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church has provided a lifeline of support for families in war-torn eastern Congo, amid a humanitarian crisis that has millions facing acute hunger. The United Methodist Committee on Relief provided two $10,000 solidarity grants for food distribution in Goma and Bukavu, with each supporting 100 households. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports. Read story High court: Church can sue for SMU control AUSTIN, Texas (UM News) — Texas law authorizes The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference to sue to retain some control over Southern Methodist University, the state’s Supreme Court ruled. The high court’s ruling deals a setback to the Dallas university’s move to sever church ties. A concurring opinion encourages the parties to repair their relationship without further litigation. Heather Hahn reports.  Read story Michigan Conference Civil War-era bell rings again DOWAGIAC, Mich. — The historic bell at Dowagiac: First United Methodist Church rang out for the first time in six years on Easter Sunday. The bell was forged in 1864 during the Civil War at the Meneely Foundry in West Troy, New York. The bell has been given new life by church member Gary Carlile, who set it amongst new landscaping. John E. Harnish has the story. Read story  WJBF-ABC Conference continues Helene recovery MARTINEZ, Ga. — Groups from around the country are working through the North Georgia Conference to help repair homes in Augusta as the recovery from Hurricane Helene continues. “I really felt like, you know, this was a God thing,” said the Rev. Matt Merriman, pastor of United Methodist Church in Brunswick, Ohio. Isabella Moody reports. Read story   New 2025 annual conference reports posted NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week are the Illinois Great Rivers, Mississippi, Missouri, North Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Zambia conferences.  Read reports Correction An item in the June 25 digest on a new partnership between Africa University and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries misspelled the name of Roland Fernandes, the mission agency’s top executive. The partnership supports the university’s research in agriculture and public health. United Methodist News regrets the error. Read press release 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. MSNBC Why a church sought Mahmoud Khalil’s freedom NEW ORLEANS — The Rev. Shawn Anglim, pastor of First Grace United Methodist Church, writes about why a delegation from the congregation joined in protests outside the Jena, Louisiana, detention center where Mahmoud Khalil was held. Khalil, who has been a U.S. legal resident, was detained after his participation in protests on behalf of people in Gaza. A judge ordered his release on bail.  Read commentary     Higher Education and Ministry Strengthening United Methodist school ties NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church’s University Senate held a joint meeting with the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities on June 19. In the meeting, the University Senate reaffirmed and deepened its connection with church-related educational institutions focusing on their United Methodist identity, academic excellence and social justice in higher education. Read press release California-Pacific Conference Tran departs church court for conference role PASADENA, Calif. — The Rev. Luan-Vu “Lui” Tran, who served on the Judicial Council for the past nine years, has stepped down from the denomination’s top court to take on a new role with the California-Pacific Conference. He will serve as the conference’s assistant chancellor for church law, while continuing his ministry as pastor and assistant director for the conference’s South District. The Rev. Tim Bruster, the Judicial Council’s first clergy alternate, will succeed Tran on the church court. Read press release ADVERTISEMENT Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 25 Online course: Leading Worship Monday, July 21 - Monday, Sept. 15 Online course: Journey Through Psalms More United Methodist events Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News Church embraces its Muslim tenants as neighbors   BRYN MAWR, Pa. (UM News) — St. Luke United Methodist Church near Philadelphia is developing a friendship with Muslim neighbors who use its fellowship hall for Friday prayers, children’s classes and special events. Together they are fulfilling a denominational commitment to bridge the apprehensive divide that exists between many people of the Christian and Islamic faiths. John W. Coleman has the story. Read story Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News Methodism emerges stronger in Africa   NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — A United Methodist bishop and other church leaders met to chart a way forward for Methodism in Africa. During the meeting, convened by the Africa Methodist Council, the heads of 55 denominations pledged to support each other as Methodism continues to thrive and grow on the African continent despite myriad challenges. Regionalization was a big topic of conversation. Eveline Chikwanah reports. Read story Photo by Chenayi Kumuterera, UM News Children team up to help sick kids in Zimbabwe   HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Children from Harare Inner-City United Methodist Church worked together to gather money and supplies to help sick children in Harare Hospital’s pediatrics unit. With support from their parents, teachers and other well-wishers, the youth raised $2,500. Chenayi Kumuterera has the story. Read story Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications Bishops call for peace in Middle East   WASHINGTON — In light of the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, the United Methodist Council of Bishops echoes the wisdom of the prophet Micah, who implored people to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8). The bishops also share their prayer for peace. Read statement