UM News Digest

UM News Digest - Oct. 31, 2025 Food ministries sound alarm on rising needs Mission agency, churches work to fill gaps Asian mission leaders reimagine future together “The government can do things at a bigger level than a local church can. But for us, this is an opportunity to reclaim our neighborhood, to care for each other, to support each other and to be the church.” — The Rev. Joelle Henneman, senior pastor of United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio. Volunteers bag apples at Neighbors Pantry at Anaheim United Methodist Church, about two miles from Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. Screengrab courtesy of the California-Pacific Conference via Vimeo by UM News.   Food ministries sound alarm on rising needs COLUMBUS, Ohio (UM News) — Even before the shutdown of the federal government, United Methodist ministries across the U.S. faced growing demands for help with utilities, rent and food. With the suspension of federal food benefits, United Methodist food pantries plan to step up. But church leaders emphasize they will need help. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Mission agency, churches work to fill gaps ATLANTA (UM News) — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the denomination’s mission agency, is stepping up with grants to help fill congregation’s food pantry shelves. Churches also are striving to support those going without pay during the U.S. government shutdown. Heather Hahn reports. Read story Asian mission leaders reimagine future together PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (UM News) — United Methodist mission leaders serving across Asia gathered this month for three days of prayer, reflection and collaboration at the Asia Mission Leaders’ Summit, hosted by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Together, they strengthened partnerships and envisioned the next chapter of United Methodist mission in the region. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story. Read story Download this image and more on our social media graphics page. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News. UMC.org What United Methodists believe: Communion NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists offer an open table for communion. A new video shares the meaning and tradition behind this sacred sacrament and what it means in the United Methodist faith. Watch video United Methodist Committee on Relief Supporting people in Hurricane Melissa’s path ATLANTA — After Hurricane Melissa, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is preparing to support the response efforts of its Methodist partners in Jamaica and the Caribbean. UMCOR is also asking for prayer for all people in the hurricane’s path. People can support recovery by clicking “Donate Now” on UMCOR’s website and selecting “IDR — Hurricane Melissa.” IDR stands for international disaster response and recovery.  Learn more and donate Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus Group: Rescind medals for Wounded Knee Massacre SELBYVILLE, Del. — The United Methodist Church’s Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus, formerly international caucus, offers a statement for All Saints Day remembering the Lakota who fell at Wounded Knee. The statement responds to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denouncing efforts to rescind the Medals of Honor awarded to U.S. soldiers for their role in the Wounded Knee Massacre. In 1890, U.S. soldiers killed an estimated 250 men, women and children, many as they fled the violence and well after orders to cease fire. Read statement (PDF) AP: Hegseth’s decision sparks outrage South Africa Conference Documentary celebrates Bishop Nhanala JOHANNESBURG — Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala made history in 2008 when she became to first woman to be elected a United Methodist bishop on the African continent. Until her retirement this year, she led the Mozambique North and South Annual Conferences, the South Africa Annual Conference and eventually the Madagascar Mission Area. The South Africa Conference has produced a 30-minute documentary that celebrates her ministry. Watch documentary ADVERTISEMENT Council of Bishops Bishops plan to tally amendment votes WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops plans to meet online Nov. 3-7. During the meeting, the bishops expect to canvass the votes on the constitutional amendments passed at the 2024 General Conference, prepare for the 2026 bishops’ Leadership Gathering and elect new officers. Some plenary sessions, including the president’s address, worship service and memorial service, will be streamed live on the Council of Bishops Facebook page. Read press release Watch on Facebook Discipleship Ministries Board celebrates growth, Upper Room milestone NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Discipleship Ministries serves more than 10 million visitors annually with its online worship resources, it was noted at its fall board meeting. “We see hopeful signs of vitality across every area of ministry, from congregational resourcing to global discipleship partnerships,” said the Rev. Jeff Campbell, the agency’s top executive. Board members and staff also marked the 90th birthday of The Upper Room. Read press release UM News: The Upper Room devotional celebrates 90 years 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. Church and Society Don’t ask me to preach … WASHINGTON — Bishop Julius C. Trimble, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, says he believes we are in a critical spiritual season where we could benefit from some “extra Jesus.” He writes that those tasked with preaching must also be teaching honesty, truth, empathy and grace. “Don’t ask me to preach if I cannot tell the stories of Jesus crossing gender, cultural and ethnic divides, welcoming the marginalized and excluded,” he writes. Read commentary ADVERTISEMENT Religion and Race Help with Advent planning WASHINGTON — A resource titled God With Us: Advent Promises for a Just World can help pastors and worship leaders get a jump on Advent planning. Offered by the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, it suggests Scripture and theme tied to the Revised Common Lectionary and provides commentary, discussion questions, ritual practices, optional liturgies and children’s activities. Learn more Wednesday, Nov. 12 Webinar: Four Ways to Be Found — Building Your Church’s Online Presence Monday, Dec. 1 - Sunday, Dec. 14 Online course: Ministry With People Living With Dementia More United Methodist events Photo by Christian Kasweka, UM News Church farms combat food insecurity in Congo   LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — With financial support from the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, United Methodists in southern Congo have launched a series of farming projects. Beneficiaries say the projects provide food and financial stability for families. Earlier this year, the products from the farms fed attendees at two annual conference sessions in Congo. Christian Kasweka has the story. Read story Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News. Single church members find support in sisterhood   HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — United Methodist women in Zimbabwe’s Harare East District are discovering new ways to connect with God and each other through a partnership with the Indiana Conference. Called Women of Substance, the group comprises single, divorced and widowed church members who participate in prayer retreats, excursions and training. Kudzai Chingwe has the story. Read story Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Understanding Deaf people’s needs in the church   NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Think of Sunday morning worship: the pastor’s greeting, the choir singing, chatting with friends in the pew. Now imagine the experience for a Deaf individual. Part 1 of a series on inclusion focuses on the challenges Deaf people face and how churches can offer tools for better communication. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story for United Methodist Communications’ ResourceUMC. Read story Photo courtesy of the Upper New York Conference ‘BibleKing Ladies’ offer a whopper Bible study   OSWEGO, N.Y. — Eight years ago, a small group of women from Oswego: Trinity United Methodist Church began meeting each Wednesday at their local Burger King for breakfast and Bible discussion. Now affectionately known around town as “The BibleKing Ladies,” the group’s gathering has become a joyful public ministry. Shelby Winchell reports for the Upper New York Conference. Read story

Top PC(USA) News of the Week

Week of October 27 - 31

Trinity Presbyterian Church and the Bryant Neighborhood Center offer space to Tacoma, Washington's Hilltop Neighborhood The congregation's bold decision to open the community center came at a crucial time

San Joaquin Presbytery builds first new church in decades to serve immigrant communities Project is part of a multi-site ministry model mobilizing commissioned ruling elders

Anita Wright Torres honors her father’s legacy of justice as a Presbyterian mission worker in Brazil Oct. 25 event in São Paulo remembered an ecumenical act of resistance against Brazil’s military dictatorship in 1975

Women’s advocate describes crisis unfolding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ‘We feel as a population like we are abandoned’

Board of Pensions President announces retirement After 12 years of service, the Rev. Dr. Frank Clark Spencer will step down at the close of the 227th General Assembly

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RNS Morning Report - An Oklahoma pastor was fired after reporting missing church funds. His bishop just got arrested.

Top Stories An Oklahoma pastor was fired after reporting missing church funds. His bishop just got arrested. (RNS) — The Rev. Jerry Beeson said he followed denominational rules in raising the alarm about missing church funds. Episcopal priest has been detained by ICE in Texas, says diocese (RNS) — 'We do not know yet why he was targeted,' said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, who leads the Diocese of Texas. Muslim voters didn’t cost Dems the 2024 election, a new poll says. But they may have found their voice (RNS) — The idea that Muslim voters cost Kamala Harris the election is unfounded, according to a poll of Muslim voters. ‘Exvangelical’ women are leaving their churches. But is it decline or renewal? (RNS) — Dissenting former evangelical Christian women are forging a path different from those who have left the church in the decades-long decline in institutional faith. Opinion How Zohran Mamdani’s campaign will change perceptions of Muslims (RNS) — Mamdani’s election may be a turning point not only for Muslims but for the promise of a new kind of Democratic Party. Scary demons? Only if you harbor a little evil yourself. (RNS) — Possession wasn't as spooky in the Middle Ages as it is in 'The Exorcist.' ICYMI Bestselling author Brendan Slocumb credits faith for saving his life during health crisis (RNS)— After a health crisis nearly left him at death's door, the author credits faith — and a donated kidney from a friend — with saving his life. Henry J. Lyons, once-imprisoned National Baptist Convention USA president, dies at 83 (RNS) — ‘I felt that I had to resign, I should resign and therefore, I did resign,’ Lyons said about stepping down as denominational president in 1999. In Other News Latter-day Saints are having fewer children. Church officials are taking note A priest is walking from Illinois to New York for immigrants’ rights Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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