UM News Digest - May 13, 2026

UM News Digest - May 13, 2026

History shapes jurisdictions’ future • Black worship wisdom • Holy ‘yes’

“History does not tell us what decision to make. But it does offer a warning.” — Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

A 1961 map shows the location of churches and the borders of episcopal areas within the Central Jurisdiction, which the Methodist Church established to segregate Black members from the wider church. The union that formed The United Methodist Church in 1968 dissolved the Central Jurisdiction. Image courtesy of Archives and History.

Lessons from past shape jurisdictions’ future
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UM News) — Bishops spent part of their meeting in Florida learning more about the history of the segregated Central Jurisdiction and the jurisdictional system in general. The lessons came as United Methodist leaders consider proposing changes to the structure. The Council of Bishops meeting also saw the debut of the video “The Pain and the Push: The Story of the Central Jurisdiction.” Heather Hahn reports.

Read story

Watch video and read transcript

The Rev. Cynthia Wilson (center, front) sings with choir members during a performance of “Gospel Mass” at the Shifting the Atmosphere conference May 2 at Hamilton Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Black church leaders learn worship wisdom
DALLAS (UM News) — A United Methodist conference served up a cornucopia of creative instruction and inspiration to help leaders of predominantly Black congregations seeking to elevate worship and ministry. The Junius B. Dotson Institute for Worship and Music in the Black Church and Beyond and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century collaborated on the Shifting the Atmosphere event. John W. Coleman has the story.
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WHAS11-ABC
Church fire changes city skyline
MADISON, Ind. — As they walk through downtown Madison, people can’t miss the large steeple soaring out of the Trinity United Methodist Church near Main Street and Broadway. That steeple is the tallest structure in the city, and one of the few things left standing after a devastating fire on May 11. Lina Gebhardt reports on the fire and the outpouring of community response.
Watch video and read story
Learn more and donate to the church

Michigan Conference
New partnerships sprout in Haiti
LANSING, Mich.— A United Methodist campaign is trying to raise $200,000 to continue expanding ministry in Haiti. The campaign is looking to increase support for Haitian Assets for Peace International, Grace Children’s Hospital and Jeremie Rising, which operates mobile medical clinics, orphan care, feeding programs and disaster relief. James Deaton has the story.
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Holston Conference
Tablescapes support United Methodist ministry
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A pink Eiffel tower surrounded by pink roses. A sunflower centerpiece amid black-and-white buffalo check and honeybee china. These decorations were part of the Tablescapes fundraiser for Wesley House. Established in 1907 by Methodist predecessor groups of today’s United Women in Faith, Wesley House now has ministries for youth, seniors and the wider community. Annette Spence reports.
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Endowing United Methodist Theological Education
South Congo pledge kicks off Miracle Sunday
ZURICH — The South Congo Episcopal Area, led by Bishop Marie Jeanne Mujinga Kashala, has pledged 912.8 million Congolese francs (about $326,000 in U.S. dollars) to support Miracle Sunday on May 17. The one-time, denomination-wide offering supports scholarships for United Methodist theological education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
Read press release
Learn more about Miracle Sunday

Religion and Race
New pastor for Neighborhood Church
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Lydia Muñoz is exiting her role as executive director of El Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry to take an appointment as the new pastor at Neighborhood Church, a growing United Methodist church in Atlanta. Muñoz succeeds the Rev. Andi Woodworth, who is moving to Reconciling Ministries Network, where Woodworth will be executive director. Muñoz will begin the new appointment in October.
Read Religion and Race press release
Read Neighborhood Church announcement

Status and Role of Women
Agency launches new website, logo
GLENVIEW, Ill. — The United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women has launched a newly redesigned website alongside a refreshed agency logo. The updates were developed to better communicate the agency’s mission to advocate for the full and equal participation of women across the worldwide connection, to improve user experience and create clearer pathways for individuals seeking support and guidance.
Read press release
Visit website

United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Stoneking is breakfast keynote speaker
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — Mountain Sky Conference Bishop Kristin G. Stoneking is the keynote speaker at the 2026 Inclusiveness Celebration Breakfast, at 9:30 a.m. U.S. Mountain time May 30 at Hope United Methodist Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The event will honor the Rev. Joretta Marshall and Joy Allen as the 2026 recipients of the Bishop Karen Oliveto/Robin Ridenour Inclusiveness Award. Tickets are $30 per person.
Read press release and register

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.

For every righteous ‘no,’ there must be a holy ‘yes’
DOWAGIAC, Mich. (UM News) — For Wesleyan abolitionist Asa Mahan, sanctification meant obeying the moral law by loving God and “our neighbor as ourselves.” Mahan’s book “Christian Perfection” is a classic of the Wesleyan-Holiness Movement, which holds treasures that can be applied to today’s struggle for human dignity, writes the Rev. Dr. Christopher P. Momany.
Read commentary

Discipleship Ministries
Worship materials for Pentecost
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pentecost Sunday, on May 24 this year, celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers. Discipleship Ministries has assembled prayers, music, planning tools and Scripture readings, centered on the theme “God Poured Out,” to help congregations have a Spirit-filled worship experience.
See resources