UM News Digest - Mar. 12, 2025

Korean-led campaign raises funds for wildfire relief
Family donates funds to build South Congo church
Meet two ‘Unsung Heroes of Methodism’

“Koreans have a tradition of supporting each other in times of tragedy, regardless of language or ethnicity. This was a wonderful example of that solidarity.” — The Rev. Brian S. Lee, president of the Association of the Korean United Methodist Church of the California-Pacific Conference.

Leaders with the Association of the Korean United Methodist Church of the California-Pacific Conference visit and pray at Altadena United Methodist Church on Feb. 24. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Korean-led campaign raises funds for wildfire relief

LOS ANGELES (UM News) — Korean United Methodists mounted a campaign that raised more than $27,000 in aid for those suffering from the historic wildfires in Southern California. Korean and non-Korean congregations from across the United States provided support for the initiative, which was led by the California-Pacific Conference’s Korean caucus. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.

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Family donates funds to build South Congo church

LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — United Methodism is “blossoming” in the South Congo Conference with the dedication of a new church building that can hold up to 800 worshippers. A United Methodist lay leader and his family donated the funding for the new structure. South Congo Bishop Owan Kasap credited the project’s success to faithful United Methodists who honor God through their generosity. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.

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nited Methodists stand in front of the new Mont Morija United Methodist Church in Golf Plateau III, a fast-growing district of Lubumbashi, Congo. The new building can accommodate 800 worshippers. Photo courtesy of the Jerusalem District.

United Methodists stand in front of the new Mont Morija United Methodist Church in Golf Plateau III, a fast-growing district of Lubumbashi, Congo. Photo courtesy of the Jerusalem District.

United Methodist Communications
Meet two ‘Unsung Heroes of Methodism’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Absalom Jones was the first African American to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Richard Allen was a preacher, an abolitionist and a reformer, who was ordained by Francis Asbury. Both men were prominent preachers at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. They faced discrimination, which led to the formation of the African Methodist Episcopal and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. Philip Brooks has more on these influential preachers.
Read about Jones
Read about Allen
UM News: Methodists led response in earlier epidemic

Florida Conference
Ukraine church still needs support
LAKELAND, Fla. — Regardless of the political situation in the U.S., Florida Conference United Methodists should continue to support the Ukraine people in their war against Russia, said the Rev. Mike Zdorow, senior pastor of The Gathering Place in Palm Beach Gardens. “I’m trying to get the churches, clergy and laity of the Florida Conference to engage in meaningful ways and be in ministry with the people in Ukraine, particularly The United Methodist Church in Ukraine,” he said. Florida Conference leadership has formed a team to study ways to help. Joe Henderson reports.
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Greater Northwest Area
Bishop begins new model for superintendents
DES MOINES, Wash. — This time of year sees U.S. bishops making multiple announcements of new superintendents who will lead individual districts and help the bishop in appointment making. Greater Northwest Area Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth announced that instead of a full-time superintendent, he is appointing a three-person team to the SeaTac District. Two of the new superintendents will continue to also serve their church appointments. Bridgeforth hopes the change will help meet the need for leadership “closer to the ground.”
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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.

Holston Conference
Reaching every age in your church
ALCOA, Tenn. — The gap between your oldest and youngest church members isn’t measured in years. It’s measured in worlds. Tim Jones, Holston Conference’s director of communications, writes about how churches can reach multiple generations with their message.
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Methodist Federation for Social Action
Webinar series looks at immigration
WASHINGTON — United Methodist groups are holding a webinar series titled “Beyond Borders: Centering Humanity in the Immigration Conversation — Stories, Struggles and Solidarity.” The webinar series is at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time March 26, April 2 and April 9. Sponsors are the Methodist Federation for Social Action, the Order of the Deaconess and Home Missioners and the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.
Learn more and register