UM News Digest - April 1, 2026

UM News Digest - April 1, 2026

Stopping anti-Judaism in lessons about Jesus
United Methodists march for change
Mapping the Black United Methodist pilgrimage

“We need to seek ways to amend our personal and communal understanding of Scripture that shapes our attitudes and behavior toward the Jewish people.” — The Consultation on Common Texts, which curates the lectionary used by United Methodists.

Amber stained-glass windows illuminate the Bible that sits on the altar of Glendale United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Starting with Good Friday and into the Easter season, United Methodists and other Christians have new recommended Bible readings for worship. Photo by Steven Adair, United Methodist Communications.

Amber stained-glass windows illuminate the Bible that sits on the altar of Glendale United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Steven Adair, United Methodist Communications.

Stopping anti-Judaism in lessons about Jesus
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Starting with Good Friday and into the Easter season, United Methodists and other Christians have new recommended Bible readings during worship. The revisions of the lectionary seek to help stop the use of Scripture to justify persecution of Jewish people. Scholars also hope to help worshippers understand Jesus in his Jewish context. Heather Hahn reports.

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Ask The UMC: New readings in the lectionary

People carry palm fronds and signs as they march through the streets of downtown Nashville, Tenn., on March 29, during an ecumenical Palm Sunday Witness. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

United Methodists march for change
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists joined Christians in 16 states across the U.S. for a Palm Sunday event designed to demonstrate that people of faith are willing to stand against injustice. Marches in 30 cities focused on social issues including immigration reform, affordable health care and solutions to food insecurity. Organizers of the event say Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was an act of defiance, and Christians today can follow that lead. Lilla Marigza has a video report.
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See photos

A protester holds a sign seeking an end to racial segregation in the Methodist Church during the 1968 General Conference in Dallas. The conference merged the denomination with the Evangelical United Brethren Church, creating The United Methodist Church, and did away with the racially segregated Central Jurisdiction. Photo courtesy of United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Mapping the Black United Methodist pilgrimage
BALTIMORE (UM News) — John Wesley took a stand against slavery way back in 1784, but a new book details the long road for Black Methodists to get full equality in the denomination. The United Methodist Church has desegregated, but isn’t yet integrated, says the Rev. Bonnie McCubbin, a historian and the book’s author. Jim Patterson reports.
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Council of Bishops
Bishops offer Easter message
WASHINGTON — Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone, on behalf of the bishops, offers a message and prayer to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. “As Easter people, we are not called to ignore the realities around us — but to face them with resurrection faith,” she writes.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Faith lessons from 1968, ahead of Artemis II
BALTIMORE — Ahead of the launch of Artemis II, scheduled the evening of April 1, the Baltimore-Washington Conference is celebrating a recently uncovered find related to the earlier Apollo lunar missions. In the archives of the Lovely Lane Museum is a framed collection of letters and images connected to Apollo 8. That was the mission when astronauts broadcast a live message from lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, 1968, including a reading from the opening verses of Genesis. Shannon Katz-Dean has the story.
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Texas Conference
Game Changers returns for second year
HOUSTON — The Special Needs Ministry at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church held its Game Changers baseball event for the second year on March 22, with a twist that made it even more enjoyable for participants. Church member Russ Walker constructed a swing aid that allowed some players their first time hitting the ball without assistance. There were 24 players, each assisted by an assigned buddy. Texas Conference staff have the story.
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Memorial United Methodist Church
Exploring the mission impact of connection
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — For its Wesley Dinner Club, Memorial United Methodist Church invited guests who could discuss the impact of the United Methodist connection on mission, especially disaster relief. “We get to be the light to the world,” the Rev. Sam Aupperlee, senior pastor of Mulberry United Methodist Church, told those gathered. Memorial has the story.
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ACLU
Church highlights birthright citizenship support
WASHINGTON — On March 31, the eve of Supreme Court oral arguments on birthright citizenship, Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church hosted an ACLU light installation with the names of more than 300,000 people who publicly support safeguarding citizenship for all babies born in the U.S. The names come from a petition organized by the ACLU, which along with other civil rights groups, is defending the constitutional principle enshrined in the 14th Amendment. The U.S. is among more than 30 countries that allow for unrestricted birthright citizenship, including neighbors Mexico and Canada.
Watch video on Bluesky
UM News: What churches need to know about immigration

No Digest on Good Friday
There will be no UM News Digest on April 3 in observance of Good Friday. The Digest will resume on April 6. UM News wishes everyone a blessed Holy Week.

Status and Role of Women
Agency reaffirms work advancing women
GLENVIEW, Ill. — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women convened its Spring 2026 board meeting online March 19-20. The gathering discussed strategic alignment, leadership updates and a continued commitment to advancing the full participation of women across The United Methodist Church.
Read press release

Missouri Conference
Grant to fund rural church outreach
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Twenty-five rural churches will get community development coaching through a $375,000 grant to the Missouri Conference from the North Carolina Rural Center. Through the Connect Church program, the conference will help churches identify and mobilize their existing strengths to build stronger relationships, address local challenges and contribute to the vitality of their communities.
Read press release