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UM News Digest - Aug. 8, 2025
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“I was not frightened because I was alive. Things can be fixed, but we didn’t lose any life. That was a blessing.” — Latonya Alfred, a member of Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Slidell, Louisiana, recalling the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
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Atha Brown (left, front) joins with other communion stewards in praise during worship at Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church on June 1 in Slidell, La. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Hurricane Katrina survivors remember storm
SLIDELL, La. (UM News) — Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast, members of Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church are counting their blessings. They recall the challenges and the outpouring of love and assistance they received from United Methodists and others in the following days and years. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story, and Mike DuBose has photos as part of UM News’ Hope Beyond the Storm series. |
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Anthony Alfred describes the flooding from Hurricane Katrina that heavily damaged the sanctuary at Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church for current pastor the Rev. Tiffanie Postell. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Acolytes Janae Williams (left) and Espn’ian Keys extinguish the candles following worship at Hartzell Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Yambasu farm fosters hope in Congo
KINDU, Congo (UM News) — A mixed-use farm funded through the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative is strengthening local food security, creating jobs and generating sustainable income for the community and The United Methodist Church in eastern Congo. For East Congo Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, the initiative is a concrete expression of faith in action. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports. |
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Judicial Council
Church court denies reconsideration request
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church’s top court, has issued Decision 1519 that denies a request to reconsider its ruling in Decision 1517. In the earlier decision, the church court ruled that the Dakotas Annual Conference improperly used the denomination’s church-closure provision to allow a church to exit with property.
Read Decision 1519
UM News: Megachurch’s closure improper, ruling says
Missouri Conference
Church serves as sanctuary for ducklings
LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — For the past five years, Woods Chapel United Methodist Church has been a sanctuary for visitors who reside at the church, protecting their young from danger. The ducks weren’t invited, but they weren’t turned away either. “We are suddenly the hottest AirBnb in town,” said the church’s Ann Williams. Fred Koenig has the story.
Read story
California-Nevada Conference
Church thrives by offering food, blessing bags
MADERA, Calif. — Madera United Methodist Church is working to make a tangible difference in its community. The church, in collaboration with the county food bank, holds two monthly food distributions. Volunteers also deliver brown bags to seniors and blessing bags full of seasonal sundries. Ginnie Sterling and Hannah Widlund have the story.
Read story and see photos
New 2025 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week is the North Katanga Conference.
Read reports |
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Council of Bishops
Leadership Gathering to be held in Canada
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has announced that the 2026 COB Leadership Gathering will be held in Calgary, Canada. The Oct. 20-24, 2026, event invites bishops, church leaders, lay and clergy members from around the globe to come together to dream, discern and co-create the church of tomorrow, the council said in a press release. “We are being called to reimagine the Church — not to preserve what is familiar but to fulfill God’s calling and vision for our future,” Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops, said.
Read press release
United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Group honors 3 bishops at convocation
MADISON, Wis. — During Reconciling Ministries Network’s 2025 Convocation, the Rev. Ben Roe of the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy offered a brief tribute to three bishops who served what is now the Mountain Sky Conference. The association is honoring the late Bishop Melvin W. Wheatley and retired Bishops Roy I. Sano and Mary Ann Swenson with the 2025 Bishop Karen Oliveto/Robin Ridenour Award. The financial part of the award will go to Reconciling Ministries Network, which advocates for LGBTQ inclusion in church life.
Read press release (PDF)
UM News: LGBTQ advocates head for ‘uncharted’ territory
United Methodist Insight
‘Dismantling Racism’ series becomes study booklet
DALLAS — A feature series on The United Methodist Church’s five-year initiative to overcome racism in the United States has become a 52-page study booklet from its publisher, United Methodist Insight. The four-part series explores how the anti-racism initiative has become part of the worldwide denomination’s ministry. The study resource is available free online.
Read press release |
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Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
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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. Jim Patterson has the story, and Mike DuBose has photos.
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Image by shark_749 via iStock with elements furnished by NASA
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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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Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News
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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, 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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Photo courtesy Horizon Texas Conference
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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 and a building challenge. Horizon Texas Conference staff have the story.
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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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