UM News Digest - June 15, 2026

UM News Digest - June 15, 2026

Deaf ministry | A leaner General Conference | Otterbein’s legacy

“My hope is to see more Deaf leaders raised and more churches established for Deaf people across Tanzania.” — The Rev. Isaya Mwita Matiku, the first Deaf ordained pastor in the Tanzania Conference.

A student signs for her classmates as Michael Pius (standing in black shirt), a United Methodist health officer, provides information to Deaf students at Buhongwa Secondary School in Mwanza, Tanzania, in 2021. File photo by Robert Aloyce, UM News.

Deaf ministry advances inclusion in Tanzania
MWANZA, Tanzania (UM News) — Each week, 20 to 30 participants gather at First Deaf United Methodist Church at Viwege for fellowship and learning. Through sign-language training, Christian education and other programs, Yatosha Deaf Ministry is helping to restore dignity and build confidence in the Deaf community and empower parents to understand and communicate with their Deaf children. Nyasinde “Pablo” Rashid and Kudzai Chingwe report.

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Neema Ndalawa (left) presents a lesson on human rights and health at Buhongwa Secondary School in Mwanza, Tanzania, as student Elizabeth Zacharia translates in sign language. File photo by Robert Aloyce, UM News.

Ask The UMC
What is the minimum General Conference agenda?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — General Conference organizers voted to shorten the 2028 session of the denomination’s top legislative assembly to eight days. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards of Ask The UMC, the information service of United Methodist Communications, explains what General Conference must do and why a shorter duration is possible.
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UM News: Planners shorten GC2028

Dakotas Conference
Connecting with God through painted prayers
BISMARCK, N.D. — Bri Heida of Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, who is studying to become a deacon, has started a nonprofit ministry to preach the value of painted prayers. “This is a spirit-led painting,” Heida said. “A journey you go through. The emphasis is not on the final product but on the experience.” She led a painted prayers workshop June 5 during the Dakotas Annual Conference. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Celebrating 300 years of Bishop Otterbein’s legacy
BALTIMORE — While many United Methodists have grown up knowing the names of John and Charles Wesley or Francis Asbury, fewer know Philip William Otterbein. He was born June 3, 1726, in Dillenburg, Germany. He went on in 1789 to become one of the founding bishops of the Church of the United Brethren, a predecessor of The United Methodist Church. The Rev. Bonnie McCubbin has his story.
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Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Building lodging for hospital patients
SAN ANTONIO — Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, a longtime United Methodist ministry partner, announced the development of Ministry Park in the South Texas Medical Center. The Ministry Park development aims to provide affordable lodging for patients and families who travel to San Antonio for specialized medical care, adding to existing efforts like the Ronald McDonald House.
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Finance and Administration
Survey seeks to improve agency’s service
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every day, the General Council on Finance and Administration works behind the scenes to support the ministry of The United Methodist Church through administrative resources, including finance, technology, human resources and legal services. The agency is conducting a denomination-wide survey to better understand how United Methodists use the agency’s resources and where it can improve.
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