UM News Digest - Aug. 4, 2025

UM News Digest - Aug. 4, 2025

Coffee fuels a future for former inmates
What’s in a name? For 12 new churches, plenty
United Methodist Men names top executive

“I do like coffee. It can be a bridge, a connector for folks to get familiar with one another, get acquainted and hopefully build friendships.” — Timothy “GA” Underwood, minister of community engagement at Deep Time, a ministry built around coffee.

Timothy "GA" Underwood hugs the Rev. Dustin Mailman in the recently opened coffee shop of the Deep Time ministry in Asheville, N.C. Underwood serves as minister of social enterprise for Deep Time and Mailman is its founding pastor. The program, which seeks to create a spiritual community with people impacted by incarceration, is housed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Asheville. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Timothy "GA" Underwood hugs the Rev. Dustin Mailman in the recently opened coffee shop of the Deep Time ministry in Asheville, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Coffee fuels a future for former inmates
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (UM News) — A new coffee shop located within a United Methodist church doubles as a place where struggling community members can find a job and support as they try to rejoin society. Deep Time is a ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church, and the founder is one of the pastors there, the Rev. Dustin Mailman. He has ambitious plans for the future. Jim Patterson has the story, and Mike DuBose has the photos.

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South Georgia Conference
What’s in a name? For 12 new churches, plenty
MACON, Ga. — Choosing a name for a newly formed church is about sharing the congregation’s new identity with its community and the world. Twelve new United Methodist churches in Georgia recently chose theirs. They all began with people committed to staying United Methodist after their previous churches disaffiliated. Rebecca Wallace has the story.
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Rio Texas Conference
Bishop urges solidarity after church vandalized
AUSTIN, Texas — Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey has called for solidarity with the people of Life in the City United Methodist Church after the church building was vandalized with hateful graffiti and its rainbow flag torn down. “To those in our community who may feel especially vulnerable or afraid in light of this hateful act: you are not alone,” the bishop wrote in a statement.
Read bishop’s letter
CBS-Austin: Church vandalized

Global Ministries
42 Global Mission Fellows commissioned
ATLANTA — A new class of Global Mission Fellows was commissioned July 18 in Ghana. The 42 young adults will serve in 23 countries around the world for two years. “The Christian church has a wonderful tradition of sending people into mission service,” said the Rev. Judy Y. Chung, executive director of Missionary Service for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. “In the act of commissioning, these persons are being dedicated to service for a season of their lives.” Sara Logeman reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Faith as a healing force amid hardship
ATKINS, Va. — Hope isn’t about ignoring reality, says the Rev. Natalie Justice, who has experienced two different cancer diagnoses. Through the uncertainty and tough days, the United Methodist pastor learned that, by leaning into God, hope can be a holy medicine. She is featured on the United Methodist Communications podcast “Get Your Spirit in Shape.”
Listen to podcast

United Methodist Men
Vance to take top role at United Methodist Men
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — After nearly a decade working for United Methodist Men, the Rev. Richard Vance will become the top executive of the agency overseeing Scouting and men’s ministry. Vance will succeed Bishop James Swanson Sr., who has served on an interim basis since 2023. Vance, an ordained elder who is currently director of operations at United Methodist Men, begins his new post on Oct. 1. Vance said he plans to deepen discipleship, expand relational networks, elevate missional service, invest in emerging leaders and strengthen organizational impact.
Read press release

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
How technology can aid worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Technology in the church can be an enhancement or a distraction, and maybe a bit of both, says Lisa Hancock of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries. She shares some wisdom on the use of audiovisual equipment, computers, tablets, phones and software subscriptions in the church.
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