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Disaster Relief
The Rev. John Shaver (left) and his friend, Rabbi Mark Blazer, look out at the rubble left of Community United Methodist Church in Pacific Palisades, Calif., where Shaver is pastor. The community of Pacific Palisades was mostly destroyed by the Palisades wildfire. Photo courtesy of Shaver, California-Pacific Conference.
The Rev. John Shaver (left) and his friend, Rabbi Mark Blazer, look out at the rubble left of Community United Methodist Church in Pacific Palisades, Calif., where Shaver is pastor. The community of Pacific Palisades was mostly destroyed by the Palisades wildfire. Photo courtesy of Shaver, California-Pacific Conference.

Wildfires claim life of United Methodist
Church members are beginning to pick up the pieces even as they mourn great loss. Pastors hope to rebuild two churches destroyed by fire.

Editor's Picks

Mission and Ministry
Dan Krause (center), top executive of United Methodist Communications, leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dedication of the new UMC TV Studios in the Philippines on Nov. 15 in Manila, Philippines. He is joined by (front row from left) Manila Area Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, Baguio Area Bishop Rodel M. Acdal, Davao Area Bishop Israel M. Painit, and Danny Mai, United Methodist Communications’ chief operating officer. Photo by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.

Church dedicates new TV studio in Philippines
The United Methodist TV studio will serve as a platform for producing training materials and content that can reach congregations in the country and beyond.
Faith Stories
This year, United Methodists mourned the passing of beloved bishops, trailblazing women church leaders and a faithful strategist of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement who taught fellow leaders how to transform a nation through nonviolence. Photo by NoName_13, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

2024: Notable United Methodists remembered
This year, United Methodists mourned the passing of beloved bishops, committed evangelists, church pioneers and the pastor who taught many of the Civil Rights Movement’s most prominent leaders how to transform the U.S. nonviolently.
Annual Conferences
Annual Conference Reports

2024 United Methodist annual conference reports
UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.

Latest News

Immigration
Katie Taylor, legal director for Neighbors Immigration Clinic in Lexington, Ky., leads an “Asylum 101” workshop for members of the community who work with immigrants. Kentucky is among the top states for refugee resettlement in the U.S. The clinic is part of the Immigration Law and Justice Network, a United Methodist ministry that provides low-cost legal services to immigrants. Photo by Joey Butler, UM News.

Clinic helps immigrants navigate asylum process
Local Church
Altadena United Methodist Church in Altadena, Calif., is reduced to rubble after the Palisades and Eaton fires swept through southern California. Experts warn that Los Angeles is not yet out of danger as the fires remain uncontained. Photo by the Rev. Garth Gilliam, district superintendent, California-Pacific Conference.

United Methodists see loss, offer relief as wildfires rage
Violence
Protesters run from police during a "national shutdown" against the election outcome in Luis Cabral township in Maputo, Mozambique, on Nov. 7, 2024. Deadly protests continued after Mozambique’s top court in December confirmed the ruling party candidate’s victory. The political unrest also has disrupted United Methodist Church activities in the country. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko.

Church promotes peace amid political unrest in Mozambique
Mission and Ministry
On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation to mark Earth Day and to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. Participants included Mary Frances Gaston (left) Emily McGinn, students at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

The year in photos
Faith Stories
Former President Jimmy Carter welcomes delegates to the Roundtable for Peace on the Korean Peninsula at The Carter Center in Atlanta in 2018. The event was hosted by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. Carter died Dec. 29 at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

United Methodists remember President Carter
Faith Stories
Bishop George Bashore is remembered as a stalwart supporter of younger clergy and a master vocalist who wove music into almost everything he did. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Bashore remembered for ministry, music
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Local Church
The lyrics of “First United Methodist Day Care Christmas Show” evoke memories of children’s holiday programs. The song by Amy Speace on her new album, “The American Dream, was inspired by a Christmas pageant at a United Methodist church. Music image by Frauke Riether, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Christmas single inspired by kids’ pageant
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Evangelism
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington was dedicated by President Obama on Oct. 16, 2011. Photo by Maile Bradfield, for UM News. Text is from his speech on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Social media graphics from UM News
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Social Concerns
A map shows the Karim Lamido local government area in Taraba State, Nigeria, where clashes between members of The United Methodist Church and Global Methodist Church escalated on Dec. 15 in the Munga Dosso community, leaving three United Methodists dead. Maps courtesy of Google; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

3 United Methodists killed in Nigeria
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Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Holly Cobb McKim, pastor of Spruce Pine United Methodist Church, reads from a list of encouragement cards sent by Sunday school children following Hurricane Helene. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Church plays key role in Helene recovery
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General Church
A procession of United Methodist bishops leads opening worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. At the bishops’ request, the board of the General Council on Finance and Administration approved a 2025 spending plan that includes no raises for the episcopal leaders. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishops forgo pay raises to shore up funds
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Commentaries

The Rev. Christopher P. Momany. Photo by Kristen Schell.

Resistance is not enough
The Rev. Neelley Hicks. Photo courtesy of the author.

What does hate feel like in the body?
The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles. Photo courtesy of the author.

Coming out with the new Book of Discipline
The Rev. Neelley Hicks. Photo courtesy of the author.

Confronting hate: What do you wear?
Dr. Katelin Hansen. Photo by Maxine Moore, courtesy of the author.

Deaconesses are still here – let’s invest in them too!
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. Photo courtesy of Wesley Theological Seminary.

How will U.S. United Methodists vote?
The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera. Photo courtesy of Garrett Seminary.

To revitalize the church, we must invest in deacons
The Rev. Dr. Eunice Iliya Photo courtesy of the author.

Nigeria church yearns for reconciliation
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News From UMC Partners

Congregations
A child chooses a scooter at a Kids Free Christmas Shopping event sponsored by ARK and Velva United Methodist churches in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Dakotas Conference Facebook page.
A child chooses a scooter at a Kids Free Christmas Shopping event sponsored by ARK and Velva United Methodist churches in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Dakotas Conference Facebook page.

Small churches offer place for kids to shop
Kids Free Christmas Shopping helps youngsters buy Christmas gifts for their families, and the price is right: free. ARK United Methodist Church in South Dakota and Velva United Methodist Church in North Dakota work together on the project each year. “It is such a joy to see the faces of the children … and the delight in the volunteers that are helping.”

Additional Headlines

Bishop Delores J. Williamston of the Louisiana Conference places a stole on the shoulders of the Rev. Deen Thompson at Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 1. The Rev. Ali Young (far left) of the Louisiana Conference and Thompson's husband, John, also attended. Photo by Susan Ruach, courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Elder’s reinstatement marks healing moment
Local Church
Volunteers at Klein United Methodist Church in Spring, Texas, spend Monday through Wednesday cooking turkey and preparing side dishes before welcoming guests on Thanksgiving Day. Photo courtesy of The Texas Conference.

Church Thanksgiving Feast feeds hundreds
On a blessing Sunday, pillowcases are carefully draped over the alter rail creating a beautiful, bright, & colorful display. The New England Conference Pillowcase Project brings comfort to cancer patients. Photo courtesy of the New England Conference.

Pillowcase Project brings comfort to pediatric cancer patients
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children who need them. Immanuel United Methodist Church in Camillus, New York, along with community volunteers, built 62 beds. Photo courtesy of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Church assembles dozens of beds for children
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Multimedia

Faith Sharing
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington was dedicated by President Obama on Oct. 16, 2011. Photo by Maile Bradfield, for UM News. Text is from his speech on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington was dedicated by President Obama on Oct. 16, 2011. Photo by Maile Bradfield, for UM News. Text is from his speech on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Social media graphics from UM News
Meme for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is available to download and share on social media.

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Disaster Relief
The Rev. Holly Cobb McKim, pastor of Spruce Pine United Methodist Church, reads from a list of encouragement cards sent by Sunday school children following Hurricane Helene. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Church plays key role in Helene recovery
Disaster Relief
Church member Sherrie Mayotte views damage to the kitchen at Pensacola United Methodist Church in Burnsville, N.C., after it was flooded by storm runoff following Tropical Storm Helene. The nearby Cane River overflowed its banks and drove a wall of water packed with mud, trees and parts of destroyed homes into the church fellowship hall and kitchen. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Hurricane Helene recovery in N.C.
Disaster Relief
Al Tompkins and Carolyn Koontz talk with Anita McKinney on the porch of her home in Newland, N.C. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

‘I’m blessed’: Church crews respond to storms
Social Concerns
School has dismissed in Calumpit, Philippines, but the journey home for these schoolgirls is not on a bus or even on foot, but on a homemade raft they guide down a flooded street. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Our Changing Climate
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World Press Freedom Day - Learn More
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Ask The UMC

Worship
Graphic by Taylor W Burton Edwards.

Ask The UMC: How do the Sunday readings for Advent differ from year to year?
The Advent readings pursue three different themes in the three different years.

Additional Headlines

Worship
The St. John's United Methodist Church Choir in Lubbock, Texas, performs "My Soul Gives Glory to My God." Photo courtesy of St. John's United Methodist Church.

Ask The UMC: The liturgical history of Lessons and Carols
Ask The UMC series provides insight into legislation that went into effect immediately after the 2024 General Conference and major changes that will go into effect beginning in January, 2025. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask the UMC: Part 6: Opening the door to reaffiliation
Social Concerns
Since the Church’s inception, Methodists have been actively involved in social and political matters in order to build a more peaceful and just world. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church involved in politics?
Ask The UMC series provides insight into legislation that went into effect immediately after the 2024 General Conference and major changes that will go into effect beginning in January, 2025. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Part 5: Ending disaffliation
view more

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