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 - July 21 2022

“There was a sense of walking together. We had the feeling that our loss was shared and that we were not alone, but in the company of the church as a whole.”Dr. Tererai Katema, on a mass memorial service held for loved ones lost during COVID-19 lockdowns.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Church offers solace to grieving families 

HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — United Methodist churches held memorial services where people who lost loved ones during COVID-19 gathered to console one another and celebrate life — things they were unable to do during pandemic restrictions. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story

Holston Conference
Help sought after Virginia floods

ALCOA, Tenn. — Mission leaders are asking for financial donations as they aid two southwest Virginia counties slammed by floods on July 12. Churches and homes sustained heavy damage in Tazewell and Buchanan counties. Annette Spence reports. 
Read story 

Michigan Conference
Summer program gets kids ready for school

MELVINDALE, Mich. — About 20 Michigan children get prepared for the school year through the Sugar Crash Summer Outreach Program hosted by Centro Familiar Cristiano United Methodist Church. Many former students return to mentor the younger generation. Meghan Hartley reports.
Read story

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Offering a racial justice vision in verse

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — One song heard during the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference in May pronounces with vivid eloquence a harmonious vision of racial justice and peace. “Now Is the Time” is both a song and a poem recorded in “spoken word” style, a dual gift of conscience to the conference from its Commission on Religion and Race. Eastern Pennsylvania Conference staff report.
Read story 

New 2022 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2022 annual conference reports. New this week are the Dakotas, Northwest Texas, Oregon-Idaho and West Virginia conferences.
Read reports


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 UM News staff.

Creating a Culture of Renewal
The power of emotional intelligence

CASPER, Wyo. — In today’s world, it has become too easy to be so one-sided that anyone who disagrees with you must be wrong. The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter says that with emotional intelligence, church leaders can build deeper relationships and become better at bridging divides. She writes about the five components of emotional intelligence.
Read commentary


RECENT HEADLINES

Hispanic pastor made large impact


Church members slain in Ethiopia


EVENTS

Monday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 27

Online course: Honor Thy Father and Mother as They Age

Monday, Aug. 29-Friday, Sept. 9
Online course: Across the Rainbow Bridge: Grieving the Death of a Pet

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