UM News Digest - Dec. 1, 2025

UM News Digest - Dec. 1, 2025

Forum tackles pension sustainability outside US
Churches join in ecumenical Fresh Expression
Planting seeds to combat climate change

“Learning from each other across continents and cultures strengthens the connection and helps build more resilient and just pension systems.” — Thomas Kemper, Central Conference Pensions consultant for Wespath Benefits and Investments.

Delegates participate in the Central Conference Pension Forum held Nov. 17-21 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, Philippines. The forum, hosted by Wespath Benefits and Investments, brought together United Methodists from Africa, Europe and the Philippines to collaborate on strengthening clergy pension plans provided through The United Methodist Church. Photo by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.Placeholder image

Delegates participate in the Central Conference Pension Forum held Nov. 17-21 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, Philippines. Photo by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.

Forum tackles pension sustainability outside US
MANILA, Philippines (UM News) — Wespath Benefits and Investments gathered United Methodists from Africa, Europe and the Philippines to collaborate on strengthening the sustainability of clergy pension plans. During the five-day Central Conference Pension Forum, conference benefits officers and treasurers, boards of pensions members and other participants learned about technical processes and shared their challenges and hopes for the future. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.

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Western North Carolina Conference
Churches join in ecumenical Fresh Expression
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — St. John’s Baptist and St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Charlotte have joined to launch Common Table Charlotte — a new ecumenical ministry creating space for authentic conversation, connection and faith exploration over shared meals. With more than 130 participants so far, this “fresh expression” of church is helping people find belonging and renewed faith outside traditional church walls. Matt Comer has the story.
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Michigan Conference
Planting seeds to combat climate change
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Millennial Colin Batten is putting his faith into action by transforming a former parking lot at the Wesley Foundation at Western Michigan University into a sustainable garden featuring fruit trees, raised vegetable beds and companion plants. With support from the Michigan Conference’s Seed to Harvest ministry incubation program, Restoration Orchard aims to provide students with an ongoing source of hands-on education and sustenance. James Deaton reports.
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East Ohio Conference
Youth pack meals for hurricane survivors
KENT, Ohio — More than 300 students and adult leaders packed 27,000 meals for survivors of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. Called Project Feed, the youth service project was for many their first time participating in a large-scale service project with churches from across the East Ohio Conference. “We’re excited to have these students serve and experience the joy that comes from making a difference,” said Chantelle Corrie, executive director of Midwest Mission. Tim Beck has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Support ‘ministry in motion’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This GivingTuesday, consider making a gift to United Methodist Communications, the communications agency of The United Methodist Church. Donations help to equip communicators with the tools and training they need to carry the Gospel forward and set ministry in motion. Your support on Dec. 2 will help amplify messages of hope that transform lives around the world.
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United Methodist Immigration Task Force
An Advent call to welcome and care for migrants
LOS ANGELES — The United Methodist Immigration Task Force met Nov. 18-20 to recommit to leading the church in its response to refugee and migrant issues. In a letter issued Dec. 1, the task force called on the Council of Bishops to continue to publicly lift up the prophetic Gospel witness of welcome and care for the migrant, and encourage and support pastors and lay leaders to do the same. “We also call bishops to issue a clarion call to United Methodists in their episcopal areas to further engage immediately and intentionally in ministry with migrants.”
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United Methodists for Kairos Response
Addressing the suffering of Palestinian Christians
BETHLEHEM — Five United Methodists were on hand for the Nov. 14 launch by Palestinian Christians of “Kairos Palestine II, A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide.” Representatives from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, United Methodists for Kairos Response and the Philippines Ecumenical Peace Platform were joined by Christians from nearly 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas. The Kairos document issues a call to Christians everywhere “to stand with Palestinian Christians and all Palestinians to address the violence and suffering experienced in Gaza and increasingly in the West Bank and Israel.”
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