UM News Digest - May 21, 2025

UM News Digest - May 21, 2025

United Methodist ‘sisters’ blend Christian traditions
Church supports flood survivors in Burundi
Sharing the Gospel through creation care

“I figured that if Jesus can be wholly human and wholly divine, we can be wholly United Methodist and wholly Quaker. It’s no big deal.” — Sister Alegría

Sister Alegría (right) and Sister Confianza, members of the Amigas del Señor (Women Friends of the Lord) Monastery in Limón, Honduras, pray during evening compline. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodist ‘sisters’ blend Christian traditions
LIMÓN, Honduras (UM News) — United Methodist laywomen Beth Blodgett and Prairie Cutting arrived on the Caribbean coast of Central America nearly two decades ago, determined to start a new spiritual community in a remote corner of Honduras. They long ago became Sister Alegría (which means joy) and Sister Confianza (which means confidence or trust), and the monastery they founded blends Methodist and Quaker traditions with a commitment to live in poverty. Paul Jeffrey has their story and photos.

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Sister Confianza rides her bike through Limón, Honduras, alongside a neighbor. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Church supports flood survivors in Burundi
CIBITOKE, Burundi (UM News) — With financial support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the church has distributed food and other supplies to hundreds of flood survivors in northwestern Burundi. The homes of some 70 United Methodists were damaged, along with seven United Methodist churches. Jérôme Ndayisenga reports.

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Patrick Abro (left), a United Methodist missionary serving as health operation manager in the Burundi Conference, and the Rev. Cimpaye Valentine (right), Bujumbura District superintendent, hand a bag of rice to flood survivors in Cibitoke, Burundi. Photo by Jérôme Ndayisenga, UM News.

Pacific Northwest Conference
Sharing the Gospel through creation care
YAKIMA, Wash. — In 2024 alone, volunteers at Wesley United Methodist Church processed over 883,000 pounds of recyclable material — enough to fill 30 semi-trailers. But the numbers tell only part of the story. The church’s commitment to creation care is woven into worship, relationships and members’ identities as disciples of Christ. Patrick Scriven has the story.
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Boston University School of Theology
United Methodist summer camps thriving
MEREDITH, N.H. — While congregations of every denomination struggle to attract young people, United Methodist summer camps are thriving. Outdoor and camp ministries go back to the beginning of Methodism. Three New England United Methodist camps serve nearly 2,000 children in a summer. Marc Chalufour has the story.
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Arkansas Conference
Remembering ‘Paw Paw’ William Robinson
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Rev. William H. Robinson Jr., affectionately known as “Paw Paw,” helped transform his native city for the better. He is the founding pastor of the influential Theressa Hoover Memorial United Methodist Church, named for the first Black woman to serve as head of what is now United Women in Faith. He also founded Better Community Development, formerly Black Community Developers, which expanded from providing alcohol and drug addiction treatment to affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. He died May 16 at age 91. The Arkansas Conference has his obituary.
Read obituary
Learn more about Better Community Development

United Methodist Communications
‘Recap’ showcases radical hospitality
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest episode of “The Recap” spotlights a multicultural church in Germany, a Fresh Expression in an Alabama brew pub, medical outreach in Nigeria and a breakfast ministry in the Philippines. Produced by United Methodist Communications, the video series helps congregations gain a better understanding of what is going on in The United Methodist Church and find inspiration in stories of ministry.
Watch video
See more in series

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.

Lewis Center for Church Leadership
10 ways to help during pastoral transitions
WASHINGTON — Pastoral transitions can deeply affect a church’s spiritual and emotional health. The Rev. Barry Howard highlights that by acknowledging emotions, communicating clearly, honoring the outgoing pastor and reinforcing mission, church leaders can care for their congregations.
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Religion and Race
Webinar explores AAPI United Methodists
WASHINGTON — For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race is again offering the 2024 webinar “Our Shared Journey.” The webinar explores the history of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures and the differences between them. The webinar also celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander presence in The United Methodist Church. Panelists include the Rev. Scort Christy, Jeehye Kim Pak and Monalisa Tui’tahi.
Watch webinar