UM News Digest - Jan. 30, 2026

UM News Digest - Jan. 30, 2026

Church responds to flooding in Mozambique
Ways to help after winter storm
ICE disrupts event on church campus

“People may lose material possessions, but they must not lose their faith.” — The Rev. Victória Armando Chifeche, on catastrophic flooding in Mozambique.

Geraldina Sarifa Francisco Utchavo Bonifácio (right), mayor of Boane District in Maputo, Mozambique, displays information on critical flooding areas for United Methodist Bishop João Filimone Sambo (center) and a church delegation. Photo by Roque Facela, UM News.

Church responds to flooding in Mozambique
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UM News) — United Methodists are responding to deadly flooding in southern Africa that has left more than 100 people dead, destroyed infrastructure and impacted more than 500,000 people. Bishop João Filimone Sambo urges United Methodists to take safety precautions and calls for prayer support. Roque Facela reports.

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Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
Ways to help after winter storm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Thousands of people are still without power nearly a week after Winter Storm Fern impacted states across the U.S. In Tennessee, which was hard hit by ice, the statewide death toll rose to 14 as of Jan. 29, according to the Tennessee Department of Health, and more than 90,000 people remain without power. With more snow and plummeting temperatures expected, the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Disaster Response team offers suggestions on how United Methodists can help their neighbors.
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California-Pacific Conference
ICE disrupts event on church campus
NORTH HILL, Calif. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement disrupted a feeding program and children’s activities on the campus of North Hills United Methodist Hispanic Mission on Jan. 29. “In front of families with children, ICE agents abducted Carlos, the owner/operator of the taco truck that was providing food for the event. The pastor and families are shaken up and afraid,” the California-Pacific Conference reports. Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank wrote letters to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez requesting their support. In a statement, the church’s pastor said, “We are hurting. We are grieving. But we will not remain silent.” Conference staff have the story.
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UM News: US pastors stand against federal crackdown

South Carolina Conference
United Methodists reflect on Buddhist monks’ visit
COLUMBIA, S.C. — United Methodists were among the thousands of South Carolinians who gathered to watch Buddhist monks in January on their “Walk for Peace” through the Palmetto State. Accompanied by their rescue dog, Aloka, the monks’ pilgrimage started in Fort Worth, Texas, in October and will culminate in Washington, D.C. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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AL.com
Group loses appeal over church property
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court on Jan. 23 declined to give a rehearing to a group of breakaway Methodists in Auburn who had sued over control of church property. The state Supreme Court had dismissed the lawsuit against the Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church on Oct. 31, ruling that it could not force a vote to decide who controls a congregation. This month, the court denied a rehearing request on the case. Greg Garrison reports.
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Access previous UM News Digests
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Due to technical difficulties with our email provider, all links in UM News Digests prior to Jan. 21 have expired. However, our newsletters are archived at UMNews.org and can be accessed anytime.
See Digest archives

Endowment for Theological Education
Plans underway for Miracle Sunday Initiative
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Endowment for Theological Education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines has named retired Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa and Barbara Boigegrain as co-chairs of the Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously — Miracle Sunday Initiative. As part of the initiative, United Methodist bishops are encouraging congregations to participate, starting April 12, in a denomination-wide emphasis on the new vision. The initiative culminates May 17 with a one-time offering to support scholarships for United Methodist theological education worldwide.
Read press release
UM News: Big push planned to fund pastoral education

Finance and Administration
Agency seeks input on leadership program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has an education certification program for senior pastors, executive pastors and other local church leadership. The program previously was called the Academy of Church Business Administration, but the finance agency is currently rebranding the program and conducting a survey on what it should be named.
Read press release and answer poll

Foundation for Evangelism
Applications open for local church grants
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Foundation for Evangelism is now accepting applications for its 2026 Equipping the Local Church grant cycle. This grant will be highly selective, with awards of up to $5,000 or $10,000 to small and medium-size churches, or clusters of churches working together, in a Wesleyan-tradition denomination. Applications are due Feb. 2.
Learn more and apply