UM News Digest - Mar. 10, 2025

Violence, vandalism strike church in Congo
What’s new in the Book of Resolutions?
Defending immigration justice on the front lines

“It is inadmissible to attack a hospital or a church where we are saving lives.” — United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, on the destruction and looting of hospitals and churches in eastern Congo.

Nurse Franck Onamemba shows broken windows at United Methodist Irambo Health Center in Bukavu, Congo. The church hospital was ransacked by armed men during the weekend of Feb. 14-16 as fighting between M23 rebels and the Congolese armed forces continues in eastern Congo. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Nurse Franck Onamemba shows broken windows at United Methodist Irambo Health Center in Bukavu, Congo. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Violence, vandalism strike church in Congo

BUKAVU, Congo (UM News) — Fighting in eastern Congo has affected United Methodist families and ministries, including an attack at United Methodist Irambo Health Center. The church hospital was ransacked by armed men. Religious leaders, including United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, are calling for peace and reconciliation and strongly condemning the violence. Philippe Kituka Lolonga reports.

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Ask The UMC
What’s new in the Book of Resolutions?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2020/2024 Book of Resolutions has been restructured to align with the Revised Social Principles approved by the 2024 General Conference. In a new series, Ask The UMC’s the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards explores the new and significantly revised resolutions within it, section by section. The first two parts now are available.
Read Part 1: Community of All Creation
Read Part 2: The Economic Community

United Methodist Insight
Defending immigration justice on the front lines
WASHINGTON — United Methodists across the United States are actively engaged in efforts to protect and care for immigrants in the face of harsher U.S. immigration policies enacted by President Donald Trump and his new administration. The denomination’s Council of Bishops and agencies including the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and Commission on Religion and Race are speaking out and providing education, while annual conferences and local churches are offering support from the front lines. John W. Coleman has the story.
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North Georgia Conference
United Methodist teams key to Helene recovery
AUGUSTA, Ga. — As North Georgia Conference Disaster Response moves into the long-term recovery phase following Hurricane Helene, the conference has been welcoming volunteer teams, staff and partnerships from beyond the Augusta area. In March, the conference welcomed teams from the Michigan, Rio Texas and Susquehanna conferences as well as the Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation and Roswell United Methodist Church. The conference has an update.
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South Carolina Conference
4 teams work on strengthening conference
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Four Jeremiah Teams, formed to help the South Carolina Conference envision a future in which local United Methodist churches not only survive but thrive, are up and running after beginning their work in January and February. The teams are working to bring proposals to the South Carolina Annual Conference in these areas: missional priorities, strategy for the Black church and ethnic ministries, district alignment and conference staff alignment. Dan O’Mara reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Creative ways to deepen faith
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — The term “spiritual practice” doesn’t usually refer to hiking or painting, but these activities can strengthen faith. “When we claim an intention to draw close to our Creator, most any reflective practice can become a holy one,” says Whitney Simpson, spiritual director and author of “Holy Listening with Breath, Body and the Spirit.” Laura Buchanan shares four practices to promote self-care and creativity and foster a deeper connection with God.
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Discipleship Ministries
Youth convocation set for Ireland
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A once-a-quadrennium event for young United Methodists is set for July 7-11 of next year in Dublin. The 2026 Global Young People’s Convocation is designed for members of The United Methodist Church ages 12 to 35 who are interested in learning more about the United Methodist connection and how to advocate and lead in decision-making.
Read press release

United Women in Faith
History informs women’s work today
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith is marking Women’s History Month with a statement celebrating Methodist women throughout history and their influence on the work of the women’s organization today. “We are inspired by the women who came before us and pushed the boundaries of what women were allowed to do,” said Sally Vonner, top executive. The statement praises Sojourner Truth, the Rev. Anna Howard Shaw, Mary McLeod Bethune and others for their work fighting for equality.
Read statement