UM News Digest - Aug. 18, 2025

UM News Digest - Aug. 18, 2025

Celebrating 140 years of Methodist mission
Big update planned for General Conference tech
Churches join in vigils at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

“The mission of God is not behind us — we celebrate legacy tonight, but God’s mission is always in front of us, leading us.” — Bishop Tracy S. Malone.

The Ohio Korean-American Pungmulnori Team dances during the opening dinner for Celebrating Methodist Missions in Ohio, Korea and Beyond on Aug. 4 at Church of the Saviour United Methodist Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Celebrating 140 years of Methodist mission
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (UM News) — Clergy, scholars, denominational leaders and descendants of pioneering missionaries Mary and William Scranton gathered to honor the 140-year legacy of Methodist mission in Ohio, Korea and beyond. For three days, the sanctuary of Church of the Saviour United Methodist Church became a crossroads of history, faith and mission. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story.

Read story

Delegates prepare to do their legislative work during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., in Charlotte, NC. The board of the General Council on Finance and Administration approved a request for $1.5 million to pay for a whole software system to track legislation at General Conference. The current system has been in use for nearly 40 years. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Delegates prepare to do their legislative work during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Big update planned for General Conference tech
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A key component of General Conference operations is becoming obsolete. Among other actions, the board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency approved a $1.5 million grant for the first major upgrade of General Conference’s legislative tracker in decades. Heather Hahn reports.

Read story

Read press release

Florida Conference
Churches join in vigils at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
THE EVERGLADES, Fla. — United Methodists are joining with other faith leaders and members of the Florida Miccosukee Tribe of Indians in weekly prayer vigils outside the detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The center, in the flood-prone and mosquito-infested Everglades, is housing people in cages and tents. Most there have not been convicted of any crime. Joe Henderson reports.
Read story

Rio Texas Conference
Congregations combine efforts in Austin
AUSTIN, Texas — Two churches in the capital of Texas — one formerly independent — are merging into a single entity. Restore Austin was removed from the Evangelical Free Church of America when the denomination imposed limits on women and LGBTQ people. Memorial United Methodist Church is an aging congregation looking for a youth infusion. On Sept. 6, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey will help consecrate this new beginning. The Revs. Ray Altman and Amanda Banda have the story.
Read about Restore Austin
Read about Memorial United Methodist

Nigeria Episcopal Area
Nigerians invest in agriculture, evangelism
JALINGO, Nigeria — The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has taken a step toward promoting food security, economic empowerment and sustainable development in the church and the country with the launch of a ₦2.5 billion naira investment in agriculture and evangelism. The investment is the equivalent of about $1.6 million. The Rev Filibus Bakari Auta has the story.
Read story

Desert Southwest Conference
Church explores adding housing to property
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Already known for its award-winning daycare, Scottsdale United Methodist Church is praying and listening about how it might expand its ministry in the community. At the same time, the church is proposing to develop affordable housing on its property. Christina Dillabough has the story.
Read story

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Annual conference special session planned
PHILADELPHIA — Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has called a special session of the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference on Sept. 20 at Tindley Temple United Methodist Church. During the session, voting members will take up 2026 budget legislation and a parental leave resolution with budgetary implications.
Learn more

Higher Education and Ministry
Conference leaders’ training focuses on vision
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — United Methodist DS-DCM Orientation on July 27-31 brought together new and existing district superintendents, directors of connectional ministries and assistants to the bishops for onboarding and training. Throughout the week, the bishops introduced and reflected on the new vision statement of The United Methodist Church: To love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously.
Read press release