UM News Digest - Aug. 6, 2025

UM News Digest - Aug. 6, 2025

Wespath intensifies its scrutiny of bonds
Methodists across Americas reimagine mission
Church taps into Lego power

“We wanted to do a more principled, holistic look at all sovereign debt, so it not only looks at military occupations like those identified in the resolution.” — Andy Hendren, Wespath’s top executive, on how the agency is responding to a General Conference resolution.

Wespath, The United Methodist Church’s retirement-benefits agency, is now excluding investments in the bonds of multiple nations because of their human rights records. Image by shark_749 via iStock with elements furnished by NASA.

Wespath intensifies its scrutiny of bonds
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — Wespath, The United Methodist Church’s pension and benefits agency, announced Aug. 6 that it is now excluding investments in the bonds of multiple nations based on their human rights records. The Wespath board opted to expand the scope of a resolution approved at last year’s General Conference that dealt with Israel, Morocco and Turkey. Heather Hahn reports.

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Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, speaks during a mission consultation for Latin America and the Caribbean in Panama City. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.

Methodists across Americas reimagine mission
PANAMA CITY (UM News) — Leaders from 40 Methodist churches and ecumenical organizations came together to identify areas for joint work to strengthen mission in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the mission consultation, working groups strategized on building relationships and reaffirming the church’s role in addressing the social needs of the region. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez reports.

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Read press release

Horizon Texas Conference
Church taps into Lego power
ARLINGTON, Texas — An alternative to vacation Bible school involving little plastic bricks proved popular at Epworth United Methodist Church. In July, Lego Club drew over 30 participants, more than twice that of the last VBS. In addition to playing with Lego pieces, the agenda each Wednesday evening included a kid-friendly meal, Bible video featuring Lego animation and a building challenge. Horizon Texas staff have the story.
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Rio Texas Conference
Bishop grateful for Texas flood response
SAN ANTONIO — Thanks to United Methodist generosity, the Rio Texas Conference has received over $821,000 and more than 550 cleaning kits to support flood relief across the conference — and the work continues. Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, who leads the Rio Texas and Texas conferences, celebrates the overwhelming response. She also notes that recovery is still in its early stages.
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Council of Bishops
Denomination welcomes 3 newly elected bishops
KITWE, Zambia — In a significant moment for The United Methodist Church, Council of Bishops President Bishop Tracy S. Malone consecrated three new bishops during the Mid Africa Central Conference last month. The conference saw the election of three new episcopal leaders: Bishops Antoine Kalema Tambwe, Mujinga Kashala and Nelson Kalombo Ngoy. The Rev. Maidstone Mulenga has the story.
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Read UM News bishop election stories

World Council of Churches
Marking 80 years since first use of nuclear weapons
GENEVA — The World Council of Churches and dozens of other faith organizations around the globe signed a “Joint Interfaith Statement Marking 80 Years Since the First Use of Nuclear Weapons.” The statement calls for peace, nuclear abolition and justice.
Read statement (PDF)

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.

Faith and Leadership
The value of itinerancy
DURHAM, N.C. — Though The United Methodist Church’s system of itinerancy can be tough on the families of pastors, the frequent need to move can work as a way to acknowledge that God is in control. Sarah Grace Thompson, a hospital chaplain and pastor’s wife, writes that itinerancy “helps us to focus on God rather than making idols of our five-year plans.”
Read commentary

United Methodist Congress of the Deaf
Deaf ministries conference planned
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Congress of the Deaf — a caucus of Deaf ministries in The United Methodist Church — is hosting a national conference Sept. 12-13 in Elkridge, Maryland. Limited scholarships are available. The caucus also is seeking award nominations for outstanding individual Deaf ministry leaders, as well as churches or ministries that have made contributions to Deaf ministry. The deadline for award nominations is Aug. 7.
Learn more and register
Submit nominations