UM News Digest - Feb. 20, 2026

UM News Digest - Feb. 20, 2026

Church connection bolsters college finances
Choir debuts Cherokee anthem
Commentary: A clean page for a critical time

“This is a model that is going to be widespread and common in five years.” — Lawrence Czarda, on a partnership his college has forged with two United Methodist-related institutions.

Leaders of Greensboro College, a United Methodist-related school established in 1838 in Greensboro, N.C., say the college has a stronger financial foundation thanks to a partnership with Wespath and Wesleyan Impact Partners. Photo courtesy of Greensboro College.

Church connection bolsters college finances
GREENSBORO, N.C. (UM News) — At a time when many U.S. colleges struggle to survive, United Methodist-related Greensboro College credits Wespath and Wesleyan Impact Partners with putting it on firmer financial footing. Leaders say the partnership could be a model for United Methodist higher education across the U.S. Heather Hahn has the story.

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Great Plains Conference
Church choir debuts Cherokee anthem
LINCOLN, Neb. — The director of music and worship arts at Lincoln Saint Paul United Methodist Church is bringing Native American music to the congregation. Mary Young led the chancel choir Feb. 8 as it performed the world premiere of a choral anthem by Cherokee composer James Green. “We get to be a part of learning that language to sing it,” said Bruce Chapman, a bass singer in the choir. David Burke has the story.
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East Ohio Conference
Ash Wednesday at the hospital
PORT CLINTON, Ohio — For employees and patients at Magruder Hospital, Ash Wednesday came to them. The Port Clinton Ministerial Association saw a need for those who work shifts during church services to receive ashes. For two hours on Feb. 18, the Rev. Victoria Park of Trinity United Methodist Church and another pastor used a second-floor conference room in the hospital to offer ashes and small prayer booklets to anyone who desired them. They also visited patients who wanted to receive ashes. Brett Hetherington has the story.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Flood recovery progresses in Maryland
WESTERNPORT, Md. — Nine months after a flood damaged homes in Allegany County, recovery is continuing with United Methodists deeply involved. The total process will take about three years, said Thea Becton, recovery director for The United Methodist Church’s disaster response efforts in Maryland. Alison Burdett has the story.
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Discipleship Ministries
Collect coins for Lent
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Christians mark the start to the Lenten season, the United Methodist Board of Discipleship Ministries offers a project to help those in need. Collecting coins during Lent is a way to practice compassion and offer a serving heart to neighbors, the agency suggests. The project can be undertaken by families or congregations, with the money collected donated to a charity such as Heifer International. Kevin Johnson reports.
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Download Coins for Lent giving calendar (PDF)

Things Green with Nick Federoff
Gardening show features United Methodist church
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Nick Federoff, who hosts a gardening show on radio and online, highlighted the gardening at Long Beach’s Cambodian American United Methodist Church. Church members showed off a job jeek, a multipurpose tool they use to garden various plants including lemongrass that they use in cooking church meals.
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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.

A clean page for a critical time
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Moving into a new year, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is working to meet the urgent needs of Black congregations. In a time when public trust is fragile and institutions are being questioned, the Black Church still holds moral authority — but only if we are willing to steward it well, writes the Rev. Dr. Michael L. Bowie Jr., SBC21’s national executive director.
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Finance and Administration
Tips for stopping pastor-impersonation scams
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Across the country, churches and ministries are seeing a troubling rise in identity spoofing scams — particularly those that impersonate pastors, bishops or other trusted church leaders. These scams often arrive as emails or text messages that appear to come directly from a pastor and urgently request gift cards, financial assistance or sensitive information. The General Council on Finance and Administration offers tips to help pastors and congregants avoid falling prey to such scams.
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