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UM News Digest - Aug. 29, 2025
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The Rev. Callie Winn Crawford describes the process of reopening and restoring Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, sending the 60-foot steeple crashing through the roof. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church in New Orleans. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Church’s light shines bright in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast, uprooting families and United Methodist congregations. Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church lost about one-third of its membership after the hurricane, but in the early days of recovery, the church became a hub for housing and deploying volunteer teams. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story, and Mike DuBose has photos in UM News’ Hope Beyond the Storm series. |
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The Rev. Callie Winn Crawford stands on the front stoop of Luke's House in 2015. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Faith-based free clinic serves community
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — Luke’s House, a free clinic started by United Methodists, grew out of a need after Hurricane Katrina closed most avenues to health care. Starting with a single doctor, the clinic has grown to have volunteer providers from around 30 different medical professions. Kathy L. Gilbert reports. |
Louisiana Conference
Podcast series spotlights stories of hope
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — Two decades after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck South Louisiana, the recovery is still shaping lives, churches and communities. A special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast shares firsthand stories of faith and resilience from the church leaders, volunteers and neighbors who rebuilt together. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel has their stories. |
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South Carolina Conference
Holy Grounds serves up coffee, Christian love
PELZER, S.C. — Debbie Welborn didn’t even drink coffee when she felt God brewing in her the idea of a coffee ministry at Augusta Road United Methodist Church. Four and a half years later, the ministry is thriving by providing coffee, breakfast and neighborly fellowship each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story
UM News: Coffee fuels a future for former inmates
Great Plains Conference, Religion News Service
United Methodists join detention-center protests
LINCOLN, Neb. — United Methodist clergy were among more than 200 Nebraskans who gathered outside the governor’s mansion Aug. 22, to oppose the proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in McCook, Nebraska. The Revs. Rebecca Hjelle-Penner and Doyle Burbank-Williams, Great Plains Conference pastors, shared their testimony. The Rev. Laura B. Kigweba, director of grassroots organizing at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, was among the clergy rallying to defend Kilmar Abrego García in ICE detention.
Read Great Plains clergy testimony (PDF)
RNS: Clergy defend Kilmar Abrego García
New 2025 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week are the New England and New York conferences.
Read reports
No UM News Digest Sept. 1
There will be no UM News Digest on Monday in observance of Labor Day in the United States. The staff at UM News wishes you a safe and enjoyable holiday. The Digest will return Sept. 3. |
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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. |
Florida Conference
While you pray, move your feet
LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin reflects after two children were killed and 15 of their classmates and two adults wounded in a mass shooting while they were praying at a Catholic school Mass. He notes that The United Methodist Church officially supports efforts to end gun violence, calling for prayer and action. “Pray for the shooting victims and their families,” he writes. “And while you pray, move your feet.”
Read commentary
Read Native American Intertribal Caucus statement (PDF) |
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Religion and Race
Study offered for immigration discussions
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is offering a study guide and accompanying videos to help United Methodist churches and small groups hold “Vital Conversations on Immigration.” The series aims to help churches explore their calling to embody justice, mercy and hospitality.
Learn more and download study
Council of Bishops
Funds available for ecumenical, interfaith work
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops ecumenical staff has announced the availability of two opportunities for United Methodists interested in Christian unity and interfaith engagement. These include three Local Initiative Grants for conference groups as well as a scholarship for a young adult to attend the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland. Scholarship applications are due Oct. 1, and the grant applications are due Nov. 3.
Learn more and apply |
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Photo by Sharon Groves, the Festival Center
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Churches push back on armed troops in US cities
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Many United Methodists in the D.C. area 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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Photo courtesy of Heather Wilson
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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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Photo by E Julu Swen, UM News
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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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Photo by Laura Buchanan, UM News
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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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Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News
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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.
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Photo courtesy of the author
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Commentary: Honoring differences, 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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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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