Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Daily Digest - February 24, 2020

“There will be a lack of funding no matter what happens after General Conference. I think we have to acknowledge that.”Bishop Mike McKee, president of the finance agency board.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Looking at financial impact of GC2020 plans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — No matter what happens at General Conference, United Methodist financial leaders expect changes in funding. The finance agency board met to discuss some of the possibilities. Heather Hahn reports. 
Read story

Alaska Conference
Alaska to ask GC2020 to be mission district

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Conference has voted to petition General Conference 2020 to discontinue its missionary conference status and make it a missionary district conference within the Pacific Northwest Conference. The move also requires the Western Jurisdiction’s approval. The Rev. Jim Doepken reports. 
Read story
Alaska moves to become mission district

The New York Times
Pioneering mathematician dead at 101

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician who broke barriers at NASA and its predecessor, is dead at 101. The death of Johnson, who was raised Methodist, was announced by NASA on Feb. 24. She was one of a group of black women mathematicians celebrated in the 2016 movie “Hidden Figures.” Margalit Fox reports. 
Read story
‘Hidden Figures’ mathematician raised Methodist

Baltimore-Washington Conference
Northeastern bishops issue Lenten letter

FULTON, Md. (UM News) — In a Lenten letter, the bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction invite readers to a deep assessment of and prayer filled reflection on faithfulness and fruitfulness. “As we begin this Lenten journey, we are reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith,” the bishops wrote. 
Read letter


COMMENTARIES 
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.

New Methodist Movement
Response to commentary on traditionalist meeting

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — An Alabama pastor has written a response to a commentary about a meeting of traditionalist United Methodists. The Rev. Paul Lawler, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Shelby County, penned the response to the Rev. Steve West. West wrote a Feb. 17 commentary about why he would stay with The United Methodist Church. Fifty-five other United Methodists co-signed Lawler’s blog, posted on the New Methodist Movement website. 
Read commentary
Why I’m not leaving The United Methodist Church


RESOURCES

Abingdon Press
Bishop’s book chronicles journey to Nepal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — “Wandering Into Grace,” a new book by Iowa Conference Bishop Laurie Haller, looks at “wandering” as a way of life. She details how a 2018 hiking trip in Nepal gave her lessons for navigating difficult issues with grace, learning to adapt in a changing world, leading calmly and serving others with love. She encourages readers to look to God as the creator, sustainer and original wanderer.
Read press release


RECENT HEADLINES 

Cabinet members filed papers for new church group


Prague pastor goes ‘where God sends me’



EVENTS

Thursday, March 19

Webinar: Time to create a new church financial calendar?

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

UM News Digest - May 7, 2025

Bishops work to put new vision into action; Church ‘gives sight’ to 250 in Guatemala; Helping Native American groups honor a hero

UM News Digest - May 5, 2025

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling; ‘World shifted’ with full inclusion; Banner gifted to Korean Methodists

UM News Digest - May 2, 2025

Conference moves toward fossil-fuel divestment; What’s new in the Discipline churchwide?; Oregon-Idaho’s first Tongan church chartered

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved