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UM News Digest - May 2, 2025
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Image by Ralf Vetterlem, courtesy of Pixabay
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Conference moves toward fossil-fuel divestment
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (UM News) — In an effort to combat climate change, participants at the California-Nevada Summit on Fossil Fuel Divestment approved a resolution that will now go before annual conference voters. “We agree that fossil fuels continue to drive climate change and that their production and usage harms the planet, especially poor and minority communities and countries,” the California-Nevada statement reads. “For these reasons, swiftly moving toward renewable forms of energy and away from fossil fuels is a crucial issue.” Jim Patterson reports. |
Ask The UMC
What’s new in the Discipline churchwide?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, is examining changes made in the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline. The series explains the changes in five different areas, with this installment, Part 4, exploring shifts in the work of the denomination churchwide. These changes affect the entire denomination and lead it toward greater equity and inclusion, writes the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards. |
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Oregon-Idaho Conference
Conference’s first Tongan church chartered
PORTLAND, Ore. — A historic milestone was marked this Easter Sunday as Laumalie Taha’Ia Kalaisi First Tongan United Methodist Church — translated as “One Spirit in Christ First Tongan United Methodist Church” — was officially chartered, becoming the first Tongan United Methodist Church in the Oregon-Idaho Conference. “It’s feelings of excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to grow together in faith,” said longtime member Vai Tautua’a. John Shaw reports, and Megean Sanchez has photos.
Read story and see photos
Global Ministries, Dakotas Conference
Celebrate Native Americans Ministries Sunday
ATLANTA — May 4 is set aside as Native American Ministries Sunday. Grants made possible through offerings on this special Sunday can support ministries as unique and creative as the tribal affiliations of the congregations that put them to work. Christie R. House highlights some of those ministries, and Bishop Lanette Plambeck of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area invites United Methodists to go deeper to learn more, connect and walk humbly alongside Native siblings.
Read story
Read bishop’s letter
Louisiana Conference
A baptism in a sugar kettle
BATON ROUGE, La. — An old cast-iron sugar kettle, traditionally used for cooking syrup, picked up another function at St. John’s United Methodist Church. A woman at the church wanted to be baptized by full immersion, but the church didn’t have a pool big enough to do it. A large sugar kettle on campus proved to be the answer, once it had a thorough wash. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel reports on how the sugar kettle became a vessel for transformation, redemption and grace.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
How journalists cover a worldwide church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — To commemorate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, two United Methodist News journalists share what it means to tell the church’s story. On a new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, Eveline Chikwanah and Heather Hahn talk with Crystal Caviness about why independent journalism within a faith-based organization is more vital than ever.
Listen to podcast
Support UM News’ work
New York Conference
Cooperative parish shows strength in sharing
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Not too long ago, Babylon United Methodist Church was in trouble without the ability to afford a pastor. That was when South Shore Cooperative Parish stepped in. The cooperative parish includes eight congregations sharing cooperative ministry on New York’s Long Island. Through a Lilly Grant, the New York Conference has a cohort studying the cooperative parish concept. Conference communications staff have the story.
Read story
Discipleship Ministries: A fresh approach to cooperative parishes |
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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. |
California-Nevada Conference
Multiethnic church offers reasons to celebrate
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Justin Ryu, Calvary United Methodist Church has become a shining example of what it means to be a multiracial and multiethnic congregation in the California-Nevada Conference. On any given Sunday, people of European, Samoan, Korean and Hispanic heritage gather to grow together in Christ. The Rev. J. Martin Lee writes about how the congregation might inspire other churches.
Read commentary |
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Finance and Administration
RJ Young named new ministry partner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has added RJ Young, a leading provider of managed IT services, office technology solutions and workplace automations, as its newest ministry partner. United Methodist churches will have access to audio-visual equipment, security cameras and more through the partnership. “This partnership is really getting to the heart of administrative needs to best serve our United Methodist connection,” said Kellie Schmeal, relationship director at GCFA.
Read press release |
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Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News
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Bishops unveil vision for United Methodist Church
CHICAGO (UM News) — United Methodist bishops, in collaboration with other church leaders, have made public a new vision statement for The United Methodist Church that has been years in the making. Ultimately, the goal is for United Methodists around the globe to unite in living out the vision to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.” Heather Hahn reports.
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Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News
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Ruling: Same-sex weddings solely up to pastors
WASHINGTON (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s top court ruled that a congregation’s trustees cannot prevent their pastor from using church facilities to perform a same-sex wedding. The Judicial Council decision clarifies a narrow ruling issued at the end of last year’s General Conference that dealt with the role of trustees. Heather Hahn reports.
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Photo by Linda Bloom, UM News
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Megachurch’s closure improper, ruling says
WASHINGTON (UM News) — The Dakotas Conference’s vote to let the multicampus Embrace congregation leave with property violated church law, the Judicial Council ruled. The denomination’s provision allowing a limited release from its centuries-old trust clause expired on Dec. 31, 2023. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Photo by Paul Gómez, UMCom
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Bishops urged to confront rising cruelty
CHICAGO (UM News) — As The United Methodist Church rebuilds after years of disaffiliations, Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone challenged her fellow bishops to speak truth to power and act with the compassion of Christ. She was addressing bishops who are confronting the rise of authoritarianism around the globe. Heather Hahn reports.
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Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News
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Man blesses many by fulfilling mother’s dying wish
MUDZI, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Honoring the wishes of his late mother, church member Ray Kaukonde has been giving back to The United Methodist Church and his community for years. In addition to supporting United Methodist pastors, he’s helped to build two new sanctuaries, financed parsonages, purchased motorbikes and other vehicles for pastors and educated orphans and vulnerable children up to the university level. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Photo courtesy of Peace Church
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Peace Church offers ‘home for everyone’
MUNICH, Germany (UM News) — Peace Church United Methodist is a thriving, diverse church community. The traditional Methodist liturgy and open table for communion provide common ground and a connection for Christians of all faith traditions. Some members are native Germans, but many are newly arrived migrants. Jennifer Rodia talks to the Rev. Alexander von Wascinski, pastor of Peace Church, about the church’s welcoming mission.
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