E-ssentials: Kitchen Conversations, Black History Month, and more!

Coming this Lent: Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator [Video still credit: The United Church of Canada]   We are so excited to announce Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator, a new six-part video series coming this Lent exploring food, faith, and the power of invitation, hosted by the Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath. Drawing inspiration and recipes from the United Church’s Lenten devotional, Bless Break Share: Recipes for Faithful Living, we’re getting in the kitchen with guests from across the church, including book contributors, United Church youth, and the Moderator’s own family. The series debuts with a Shrove Tuesday pancake feast in the Moderator’s home kitchen on February 17, with new episodes following each Sunday throughout Lent, and concludes with a special Easter message from the Moderator. Stay tuned for episodes on the Kitchen Conversations webpage and The United Church of Canada YouTube channel. Bless Break Share, featuring inspiring devotions and prayers for each day of Lent, along with recipes from throughout the United Church, is available online today, along with the matching mug and apron you’ll see featured in Kitchen Conversations. These Kitchen Conversations videos are separate from the online Lenten study led by Rev. Dr. Christine Jerrett, which you can join on CHURCHx beginning February 24. Signing up gets you a discount code for 15% off your purchase of Bless Break Share. This structured learning experience invites participants to use Bless, Break, Share as a framework for conversation and reflection on food and hunger throughout the season of Lent. Read the full news story Order Bless, Break, Share! Black History Month: Here From the Beginning [Video still credit: The United Church of Canada] Unveiled last year as a Centennial project, Here from the Beginning is an in-person and virtual exhibition that showcases the contributions and experiences of Black people within the United Church, amplifying voices that have long been overshadowed. It is a celebration of faith, history, and community. Learn more about Here from the Beginning United Church Marks International Development Week: Hope Through Accompaniment [Image credit: ZCC]   Join us in marking International Development Week 2026 (February 1–7), alongside communities across Canada and around the world. Through blog posts each day, The United Church of Canada is highlighting global partners contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through faith-rooted leadership and justice. Read about African churches advancing food sovereignty and justice and our partners promoting Indigenous women’s church leadership in Guatemala, and stay tuned for more on Round the Table this week. This year, International Development Week also coincides with the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. It’s a time to honour the countless volunteers and leaders whose time, care, and commitment to working together with communities make justice and hope possible. For The United Church of Canada and global partners, volunteer community leaders are an essential piece of the work. This week, we also give thanks for volunteers: community leaders, farmers, theologians, youth mentors, COP animators, pilgrims, and United Church members whose faithful service—often unseen—sparks connection and hope. Read the full news story and learn how you can get involved. Read the full news story As New US Tariffs Target Cuba, United Church Offers Solidarity with Cuban People [Image credit: Canva]   On January 30, the Trump administration issued an executive order that enacts on the people of Cuba "a new tariff system that allows the United States to impose additional tariffs on imports from any country that directly or indirectly provides oil to Cuba."  The United Church of Canada issued a statement of solidarity with the Cuban people. The church requests an urgent response, through prayer and action with Cuban Mission and Service partners and the people of Cuba, who face multiple and deepening crises.   Please also sign this petition spearheaded by the Canadian Network on Cuba. (NOTE: to complete the process of signing the petition, you must take the additional step to click on the link sent directly to your email address. Encourage others in your networks to also please sign the petition.) Read the full statement and news story on the website. Read the full news story Moderator Offers Solidarity to US Partners and Greenland Bishop [Image credit: Wikimedia/Jens Cederskjold]   Last week, Moderator Kimberly Heath sent two letters of solidarity to global church partners amid growing political and social instability. The letters express support for church leaders in Greenland, Denmark, and the United States as they accompany their communities through uncertainty, fear, and threats to sovereignty. Read the full news story and letters on The United Church of Canada website. Read the full news story Women’s Memorial March, February 14 [Image credit: Indigenous/Racialized Youth Gathering visits Camp Morgan | IMJ]   On Saturday February 14, communities across the country hold the Women’s Memorial March to honour and remember Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada. The Women’s Memorial March originated in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Information for the 2026 Vancouver march can be found here. Please check social media to see what is happening in your community – the information often comes out in early February. There will also be a Facebook Live event that anyone can join at 12:30 pm ET. We encourage United Church communities of faith and individuals to join Indigenous people and organizations, labour, and civil society groups in this important act of public witness against racism and violence, and for justice. Join the Facebook Live Event Call For Nominations! [Image credit: The United Church of Canada]   We’re looking for people with strong discernment skills and experience in dispute resolution to help guide fair, thoughtful processes that support ministry personnel and uphold the integrity of our church. By joining the Response Committee or Remedial Committee, you’ll play a vital role in supporting faithful, well-equipped, effective ministry personnel.    Express your interest or nominate someone else for these or other current opportunities to serve.    Deadline: Tuesday March 17.   Check out these calls and more! Apply Now for the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics, and Management (GEM) [Image credit: Pixabay]   Applications are open for the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management (GEM), being held in Panama City from August 17–28, 2026. Co-organized by the World Council of Churches, alongside global ecumenical partners, the school will bring together emerging and current church leaders from around the world to explore tools, language, and strategies to effectively advocate for urgent transformations in the global, financial, and economic realm. Application deadline: February 20, 2026. Apply Now! Mission and Service Stories: Shared Healing and Cultural Renewal [Image credit: Mamawe Ota Askihk]   At Mamawe Ota Askihk, the land is more than a backdrop—it is a sacred space where Indigenous children, youth, and families reconnect with culture, language, and one another. Hosted by Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre and supported by Mission and Service gifts, the 2023 summer gathering brought together 31 participants, alongside staff, Knowledge Keepers, and youth leaders. From the first day, a community grounded in sharing, learning, and ceremony began to take shape. By supporting the Healing Fund through Mission and Service, your generosity helps make gatherings like Mamawe Ota Askihk possible. Read the Mission and Service Story Worship Resources See our Worship Resources for upcoming Sundays and special celebrations. Black History Month 2 - February 8, 2026 Tranfiguration Sunday - February 15, 2026 Black History Month 3 - February 15, 2026 Ash Wednesday - February 18, 2026 First Sunday in Lent - February 22, 2026 Black History Month 4 - February 22, 2026 Second Sunday in Lent - March 1, 2026 World Day of Prayer - March 6, 2026 International Women's Day - March 8, 2026 National Affirming PIE Day - March 14, 2026 For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca. Important Note: The images included in this newsletter are protected by copyright. While we encourage you to share the newsletter itself, please don't copy or use the images independently. Thanks for your understanding! Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

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UM News Digest - Jan. 30, 2026

UM News Digest - Jan. 30, 2026 Church responds to flooding in Mozambique Ways to help after winter storm ICE disrupts event on church campus “People may lose material possessions, but they must not lose their faith.” — The Rev. Victória Armando Chifeche, on catastrophic flooding in Mozambique. Geraldina Sarifa Francisco Utchavo Bonifácio (right), mayor of Boane District in Maputo, Mozambique, displays information on critical flooding areas for United Methodist Bishop João Filimone Sambo (center) and a church delegation. Photo by Roque Facela, UM News. Church responds to flooding in Mozambique MAPUTO, Mozambique (UM News) — United Methodists are responding to deadly flooding in southern Africa that has left more than 100 people dead, destroyed infrastructure and impacted more than 500,000 people. Bishop João Filimone Sambo urges United Methodists to take safety precautions and calls for prayer support. Roque Facela reports. Read story Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Ways to help after winter storm NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Thousands of people are still without power nearly a week after Winter Storm Fern impacted states across the U.S. In Tennessee, which was hard hit by ice, the statewide death toll rose to 14 as of Jan. 29, according to the Tennessee Department of Health, and more than 90,000 people remain without power. With more snow and plummeting temperatures expected, the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Disaster Response team offers suggestions on how United Methodists can help their neighbors.  Read story California-Pacific Conference ICE disrupts event on church campus NORTH HILL, Calif. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement disrupted a feeding program and children’s activities on the campus of North Hills United Methodist Hispanic Mission on Jan. 29. “In front of families with children, ICE agents abducted Carlos, the owner/operator of the taco truck that was providing food for the event. The pastor and families are shaken up and afraid,” the California-Pacific Conference reports. Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank wrote letters to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez requesting their support. In a statement, the church’s pastor said, “We are hurting. We are grieving. But we will not remain silent.” Conference staff have the story. Read story UM News: US pastors stand against federal crackdown ADVERTISEMENT South Carolina Conference United Methodists reflect on Buddhist monks’ visit COLUMBIA, S.C. — United Methodists were among the thousands of South Carolinians who gathered to watch Buddhist monks in January on their “Walk for Peace” through the Palmetto State. Accompanied by their rescue dog, Aloka, the monks’ pilgrimage started in Fort Worth, Texas, in October and will culminate in Washington, D.C. Jessica Brodie has the story. Read story AL.com Group loses appeal over church property MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court on Jan. 23 declined to give a rehearing to a group of breakaway Methodists in Auburn who had sued over control of church property. The state Supreme Court had dismissed the lawsuit against the Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church on Oct. 31, ruling that it could not force a vote to decide who controls a congregation. This month, the court denied a rehearing request on the case. Greg Garrison reports. Read story Access previous UM News Digests NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Due to technical difficulties with our email provider, all links in UM News Digests prior to Jan. 21 have expired. However, our newsletters are archived at UMNews.org and can be accessed anytime.  See Digest archives ADVERTISEMENT Endowment for Theological Education Plans underway for Miracle Sunday Initiative NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines has named retired Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa and Barbara Boigegrain as co-chairs of the Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously — Miracle Sunday Initiative. As part of the initiative, United Methodist bishops are encouraging congregations to participate, starting April 12, in a denomination-wide emphasis on the new vision. The initiative culminates May 17 with a one-time offering to support scholarships for United Methodist theological education worldwide.  Read press release UM News: Big push planned to fund pastoral education Finance and Administration Agency seeks input on leadership program NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has an education certification program for senior pastors, executive pastors and other local church leadership. The program previously was called the Academy of Church Business Administration, but the finance agency is currently rebranding the program and conducting a survey on what it should be named. Read press release and answer poll Foundation for Evangelism Applications open for local church grants LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism is now accepting applications for its 2026 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. This grant will be highly selective, with awards of up to $5,000 or $10,000 to small and medium-size churches, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. Applications are due Feb. 2. Learn more and apply Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News Brick by brick, persistent pastor builds own church Read story Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News Know your rights when they’re under threat Read story Monday, Feb. 9 Webinar: Clergy Taxes — An Overview 2026 Wednesday, Feb. 25 Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice More United Methodist events UMNews.org |  UM News Photos