UM News Digest - April 28, 2025

UM News Digest - April 28, 2025

Bishops urged to confront rising cruelty
Peace Church offers ‘home for everyone’
Preparing pastors for modern ministry

“To follow the risen Christ is to see others as God sees them — to see the face of God in others — and to recognize that … discipleship is deeply connected to justice. When the Church stands in the gap, we are not straying from our calling. We are living into it.” — Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Council of Bishops president.

Photo by Paul Gomez, United Methodist Communications

Bishops urged to confront rising cruelty
CHICAGO (UM News) — Even as The United Methodist Church rebuilds after years of disaffiliations, Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone challenged her fellow bishops to speak truth to power and act with the compassion of Christ. She was addressing bishops — including eight new episcopal leaders — who are confronting the rise of authoritarianism and violence around the globe. Heather Hahn reports.

Read story

Peace Church offers ‘home for everyone’
MUNICH, Germany (UM News) — Peace Church United Methodist is a thriving, diverse church community. The traditional Methodist liturgy and open table for communion provide common ground and a connection for Christians of all faith traditions. Some members are native Germans, but many are newly arrived migrants. Jennifer Rodia talks to the Rev. Alexander von Wascinski, pastor of Peace Church, about the church’s welcoming mission.

Watch video

Minnesota Conference
Program prepares pastors for modern ministry
MITCHELL, S.D. — Beyond preaching and pastoral care, pastors are now required to handle administrative tasks and business affairs. Yet, many pastors find themselves underprepared. Recognizing this gap, Dakota Wesleyan University launched the Practical Church Leadership program in 2018 in partnership with the Dakotas and Minnesota conferences. The year-long, 21-credit certificate program is designed to equip clergy with crucial administrative leadership skills. Alisha Vincent and Christa Meland have the story.
Read story

Missouri Conference
Conference focuses on inclusion, growth
ST. LOUIS — Church leaders from at least 22 states and several different denominational and non-denominational contexts gathered for the third annual BEYOND conference. Produced and hosted by The Gathering United Methodist Church, the purpose of the event was to create a meaningful space marked by revival, innovation and passion for a strategy that is both profoundly evangelical and unapologetically inclusive. On Oct. 3-4, BEYOND will host an east coast regional version of the conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fred Koenig has the story.
Read story

Horizon Texas Conference
Lay leader honored at Perkins
DALLAS — Tom Sellers, a member of First United Methodist Church Sulphur Springs, was given the Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award by Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. Sellers, a banking executive, community volunteer and lay leader, has taught Sunday school and chaired and served on multiple church committees. Most recently, he began hosting “Toddler Time with Tom,” a weekly playdate in the church gym to welcome local families with young children. Horizon Texas Conference staff have the story.
Read story

Tribune Chronicle
Marking 50 years since fall of Saigon
WARREN, Ohio — It was the spring of 1975 when Thuy Ai Nguyen arrived in Warren from Vietnam. Her arrival was made possible by First United Methodist Church and local Warren families. April 30 marks 50 years since North Vietnam captured Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, marking the official end of the Vietnam War. A number of Vietnamese who sided with U.S. forces also came to the U.S. Bob Coupland reports.
Read story

Finance and Administration
Board approves bishop pay increase, policy updates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — During its spring online meeting, the General Council on Finance and Administration’s board approved updates pertaining to the Council of Bishops’ lodging costs, audits and agency personnel policies. UM News reports on a pay raise the board also approved.
Read GCFA press release
UM News: Bishops given 3% retroactive pay hike

Lake Junaluska
$14 million fundraiser announced
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — A $14 million fundraising campaign is underway at Lake Junaluska, a conference and retreat center connected with The United Methodist Church. Proceeds from the Sharing Our Gifts Campaign will be used to expand recreation and lodging options to strengthen the organization’s ministry to youth and families. The campaign also will invest in three sacred spaces and the facility’s dam.
Read press release