UM News Digest - Aug. 27, 2025

UM News Digest - Aug. 27, 2025

United Methodists cheer court win in Liberia
Churches push back on armed troops in US cities
The Upper Room devotional celebrates 90 years

“This is a landmark case in Liberia and across global Methodism. It sets a precedent that churches and institutions built through the sacrifice of generations of United Methodists remain in trust for The United Methodist Church.” — Tolbert Nyenswah, conference lay leader for the Liberia Episcopal Area.

Stephen Trowen (S.T.) Nagbe United Methodist Church in Monrovia, Liberia, recently reopened after being closed due to disruptions between current and former church members. Photo by E Julu Swen, UM News.

United Methodists cheer court win in Liberia
MONROVIA, Liberia (UM News) — A civil court ruling affirming The United Methodist Church’s Liberia Conference as the sole legal owner of all its properties is being met with joy and relief and easing tensions in the region. The decision comes after months of legal battles between the conference and former members who joined the breakaway Global Methodist Church. E Julu Swen and Charles Gbayor report.

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Some 40 faith leaders from across Washington, D.C., join Aug. 22 in leading a prayer vigil in the city’s ethnically diverse Columbia Heights neighborhood. Photo by Sharon Groves, the Festival Center.

Churches push back on armed troops in US cities
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Many United Methodists in the D.C. area, as in Los Angeles earlier this year, are stepping up to mobilize nonviolent resistance and protect people targeted by President Trump’s show of military force. Now with the president threatening to deploy National Guard troops in other cities, they have lessons to share. Heather Hahn reports.

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RNS: Shaken by ICE raids, pastors rethink ministries

Shirley Watkins, a member of Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas, addresses the 90th anniversary celebration of The Upper Room on Aug. 21 at The Loveless Cafe in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Laura Buchanan, UM News.

The Upper Room devotional celebrates 90 years
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — This year marks the 90th anniversary of The Upper Room devotional, the pocket-sized magazine that has become a fixture in churches, homes, prisons and care facilities. Current and past staff and editors, as well as members of the local church where the idea for the devotional was born, gathered this month to give thanks for the global reach of the publication. Laura Buchanan has the story.

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UMC.org: Unity, hope for 90 years

Minnesota Conference
Bishop urges prayer after Minneapolis shooting
MINNEAPOLIS — News of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis during morning Mass has left many heartbroken and searching for words, Bishop Lanette Plambeck writes. The shooting killed two children and injured 17 people. “We lift in prayer the families whose children were taken by this tragedy and those who are injured, asking God to surround them with comfort and strength,” said the bishop in a statement. Plambeck leads the Dakotas and Minnesota conferences.
Read statement

Churches for Middle East Peace
Planned attack in Gaza denounced
WASHINGTON — United Women in Faith and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries have joined Churches for Middle East Peace and other church-based organizations in calling for Israel to halt its planned military offensive in Gaza City. With famine already declared in Gaza, further military operations will only cause further suffering and death for a civilian population without anywhere else to go, the groups said in a joint statement.
Read press release and letter

Ask The UMC
Advocate for racial equality celebrates 90th birthday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In honor of Bishop Woodie W. White’s 90th birthday today, UM News is resharing Ask The UMC’s Pioneers in Methodism spotlight. White was the first top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and the first Black person to head a United Methodist general agency. He was tasked with integrating annual conferences after the Central Jurisdiction was abolished. “It was significant and extremely fulfilling work,” he said. Happy birthday, Bishop White.
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Fox 4-Kansas City
Church sends message to Swift, Kelce
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — Asbury United Methodist Church, known locally for its whimsical signs, is joining in celebrating the engagement of pop star Taylor Swift to hometown favorite Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs tight end. The church sign now says, “We do weddings! Congrats Travis and Taylor.” Olivia Johnson has the story.
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Bethune-Cookman University
Minister donates $200,000 to school
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A retired United Methodist minister and former trustee of Bethune-Cookman University has donated $200,000 to the United Methodist-related school. The Rev. Robert Gibbs is funding an endowed scholarship for students majoring in religious studies or preparing for Christian ministry. “Rev. Gibbs has set a powerful example of how fellow clergy can make a lasting impact on theological education and student success,” said the Rev. Albert Mosley, president of Bethune-Cookman.
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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.

Discipleship Ministries
Discipleship in divided times requires presence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. is marked by deep and growing divides — political, racial, generational and theological. The Rev. Bryan Tener of Discipleship Ministries writes about how churchgoers can fulfill their calling to be a nonanxious, compassionate and faithful presence. Jesus “did not avoid conflict, but he refused to reduce people to their positions,” Tener writes.
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