UM News Digest - Nov. 19, 2025

UM News Digest - Nov. 19, 2025

Bishop Fisher remembered as trailblazer
Income projects empower women in Burundi
A closer look at church’s new vision

“Her ministry, her love and her witness endure in every life she touched, every congregation she strengthened, every young person she inspired, and every barrier she helped dismantle.” — Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, describing Bishop Violet L. Fisher.

Bishop Violet L. Fisher, the first Black woman elected bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, died Nov. 17 at the age of 86. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Fisher remembered as trailblazer
DENTON, Md. (UM News) — Bishop Violet L. Fisher made history as the first Black woman elected bishop in The United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdiction. She also earned admiration across the denomination for her powerful preaching and tender pastoral care. She died Nov. 17 at the age of 86. Heather Hahn has an obituary.

Read obituary

Read Council of Bishops press release

Josélyne Kubwimana, a graduate of the Burundi Conference’s tailoring school at Nyabugogo United Methodist Church in Gitega, sews a clerical stole. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Income projects empower women in Burundi
GITEGA, Burundi (UM News) — Women in the Burundi Conference have established income-generating projects to sustain their families and contribute toward funding church programs. At the United Methodist Women’s Center at Nyabugogo United Methodist Church, the women run a three-month tailoring course. Others are farming and rearing animals to earn a living and look after their families. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
Read story

Western North Carolina Conference
Bishop calls for courage amid crackdown
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Charlotte becomes the next U.S. city targeted by federal immigration enforcement, Western North Carolina Conference Bishop Ken Carter writes that this season requires “courage, tenderness, and deep faithfulness.” The bishop notes that Christians “are commanded to ‘welcome the stranger’ (Leviticus 19:33-34) and reminded that when we receive the outsider, we welcome Christ himself (Matthew 25).”
Read pastoral letter

Ask The UMC
A closer look at church’s new vision
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The vision statement of The United Methodist Church unveiled earlier this year does not replace the church’s mission statement: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Rather, it focuses United Methodists at all levels of church life on the outcomes of discipling work, writes the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards. He offers a closer look at the new vision to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
Read story
UM News: Bishops unveil vision for United Methodist Church

World Council of Churches
Ecumenical group divests of fossil fuels
BELEM, Brazil — The World Council of Churches, whose members include The United Methodist Church, joined 61 other faith institutions Nov. 18 in announcing their divestment from fossil-fuel companies. The announcement comes during the United Nations COP30 climate summit.
Read statement
UM News: Bishops prioritize creation care

Dakotas Conference
Higher Ground initiative cares for clergy
MITCHELL, S.D. — The Dakotas Conference Higher Ground initiative, which promotes the well-being and professional development of clergy, is entering a new chapter thanks to an additional $1 million in funding support. The program provides opportunities for learning, reflection, connection and coaching. “This is important work because healthy clergy make for healthy ministry,” said the Rev. Seth LaBounty. Rebecca G. Trefz has the story.
Read story

Hope Springs Eternal
Podcast discusses missional hubs
ATKINS, Va. — The Rev. Natalie Justice interviews the Rev. Scott Spence, a Holston Conference district superintendent and author of “On the Cusp: Examination of an Apparent Paradigm Shift in the Church.” During the podcast, the two United Methodists discuss Spence’s book and the concept of missional hubs.
Watch video

Philander Smith University
Philander Smith receives $19 million donation
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Philander Smith University, a historically Black United Methodist college, announced Nov. 14 that it has received a $19 million donation from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This is the largest single contribution in the university’s 147-year history.
Read press release