UM News Digest - Aug. 25, 2025

UM News Digest - Aug. 25, 2025

LA-area churches seek to rebuild after fires
Disaster coordinator recalls Katrina
Commentary: Honoring differences while celebrating unity

“We’re going to have a new church someday with new opportunities for ministry. We don’t know how God will do it. But we know it will be abundant.” — The Rev. J. Andre Wilson, pastor of Altadena (Calif.) United Methodist Church.

The Rev. J. Andre Wilson (center) shares a message with children during Altadena United Methodist Church’s first Sunday worship service at its new temporary home on the campus of the former First United Methodist Church of San Gabriel, Calif. Photo courtesy of Heather Wilson.

LA-area churches seek to rebuild after fires
LOS ANGELES (UM News) — Survivors of January’s historic wildfires are starting to see signs of recovery and hope. Members of two destroyed United Methodist churches — Community in Pacific Palisades and Altadena — are temporarily worshipping in other churches while planning for the yearslong rebuilding process. John W. Coleman reports.

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The Rev. Terry Lynn Hilliard talks about the challenges people in her Mississippi community faced after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hilliard stepped into the role of United Methodist disaster response coordinator for the Mississippi Gulf Coast area and also directed the construction of the volunteer center at Gulfside Assembly. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

The Rev. Terry Lynn Hilliard talks about the challenges people in her Mississippi community faced after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Disaster coordinator recalls Katrina
BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (UM News) — The Rev. Terry Lynn Hilliard was the pastor of Pass Christian First United Methodist Church in Mississippi when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. She stepped up to become the United Methodist disaster response coordinator for the area. On the 20th anniversary, she reflects on how the storm touched the hearts of survivors and volunteers. Lilla Marigza reports for UM News’ Hope Beyond the Storm series.

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Illinois Great Rivers Conference, Capitol News Illinois
Church message replaces Proud Boys billboard
BREESE, Ill. — The Illinois Great Rivers Conference has replaced a billboard that promoted the Proud Boys with one that preaches love. The United Methodist billboard, inspired by a campaign in the Missouri Conference, proclaims “Hate Divides, Love Unites.” Paul Black has the story of how the effort to replace the billboard came together in three days. Capitol News Illinois reports on the uproar that led to the new billboard.
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Ask The UMC
Understanding clergy compensation and benefits
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, responds to inquiries about the denomination and its ministries. Questions about clergy compensation and benefits come regularly throughout the year, especially when a church is transitioning from full-time clergy to part time or when a clergyperson is considering retirement. In a new installment of of Ask The UMC’s “Whom to Call” series, the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards shares resources to help.
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Holston Conference
Pastor picks up mission of abandoned church
BLUEFIELD, Va. — The tiny congregation of Christ First United Methodist Church abandoned its building in May this year. Since then, the Rev. Valerie Ritter, a retired elder serving at the church without pay, has been working to reestablish the church as a mission site. Annette Spence reports.
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Missouri Conference
Solar power drives Mozambique progress
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Mozambican and Missouri conferences have increasingly turned to solar technology to make progress in remote Mozambique. The Mozambique Initiative is working to outfit parsonages and churches in communities far from an electrical grid with solar technology. This investment in solar energy aligns with The United Methodist Church’s broader goals of creation care, justice and sustainable development. Fred Koenig reports.
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Global Ministries
Strengthening mission with Philippines partners
MANILA, Philippines — United Methodist mission partners in the Philippines gathered for roundtable discussions Aug. 5-7 to share their context and strategic priorities and focus on ways that the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry can mutually support the region. Resource and leadership development for clergy and laity and decolonizing mission also were discussed. Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana has the story.
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UM News includes in the 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.

Honoring our differences while celebrating unity
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UM News) — As The United Methodist Church seeks to embody unity, it must also reckon with the distinct realities and contexts that shape its people, says the Rev. Dr. Thomas Muhomba, a North Alabama Conference pastor who is from Zimbabwe. In choosing to walk together through complexity and disagreement about homosexuality, Muhomba writes, we bear witness to a Gospel spacious enough for all God’s children.
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