Bishop Matthews asks for prayers, action after D.C.-area mall shooting

WASHINGTON (UMNS) — “A deep sense of tragedy hangs in the air,” Bishop Marcus Matthews of the Baltimore-Washington Annual (regional) Conference wrote as he called Jan. 25 for prayers in the wake of the shooting at the Mall in Columbia, a few miles from the Conference Mission Center. The shooter and two victims were reported killed.

“As I write, details of the shooting are still being released,” the bishop said. “…In addition to praying for the shooter, those killed and injured and all of their families, I find myself lamenting the lack of progress being made in our nation to end gun violence. There have been at least 10 shootings at public institutions this year alone. Just yesterday, at my alma mater South Carolina State University, a shooting claimed the life of a student.”

Read full statement


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
General Church
Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of a delegate vote in favor of a worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 25, 2024. The Council of Bishops announced Nov. 5 that annual conference lay and clergy voters have ratified regionalization. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

New United Methodist Church structure ratified

United Methodist voters around the globe have ratified worldwide regionalization — a package of constitutional amendments aiming to put the denomination’s different geographical regions on equal footing.
Bishops
Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone delivers her presidential address at the opening of the council’s online fall meeting on Nov. 3. Malone called on her fellow bishops to “lead faithfully, courageously and intentionally” during challenging times. Screenshot photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops Facebook page.

Amid shutdown, bishops called to moral witness

United Methodist Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone urged her fellow bishops to “embody the radical love of Jesus” at a time when some misuse Jesus’ name to justify hate, division and threats to human dignity.
Faith Stories
Bishop Frank Beard uses fishing metaphors to launch his new evangelism program, Catching Like Jesus Ministries, during a sermon at Elkhart Faith United Methodist Church in Goshen, Ind. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Eyesight fading, bishop envisions new role as evangelist

After glaucoma forced him to step down from overseeing a conference, United Methodist Bishop Frank Beard is launching a new ministry as an evangelist. He is using his love of fishing to hook new disciples.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved