UM News Digest - Nov 6, 2026

UM News Digest - Nov. 6, 2026

Cyclone recovery | Church-property suit | Clergy Social Security

“This moment has restored my family’s dignity, hope and safety.” — Nafunea Emmanuel, a mother helped by United Methodists in recovering from Cyclone Freddy.

The Rev. Godfrey Gaga (right,) Malawi Provisional Conference superintendent, removes the ribbon from the door of Annie Katumbi’s new home in Ngabu Village in Chikwawa, Malawi. Photo by Francis Nkhoma, UM News.

Cyclone recovery continues in Malawi
BLANTYRE, Malawi (UM News) — Recovery continues three years after Cyclone Freddy struck southern Malawi, triggering severe flooding that killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. In a second phase of support, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is delivering long-term shelter, clean water and agricultural support. Francis Nkhoma has the story.

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State supreme court blocks church-property suit
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (UM News) — The West Virginia Supreme Court has halted a lawsuit by 33 United Methodist congregations seeking to leave the denomination with property. The West Virginia Conference says it remains committed to supporting the churches. Heather Hahn reports.
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Korean Methodist President Bishop Chungsuk Kim (left) thanks United Methodist Bishop Lanette Plambeck (right) for attending the Korean Methodist Church’s 37th General Conference and for her gift of a wooden bishop’s staff. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Bishop’s visit strengthens ties with Korean Methodists
SEOUL, South Korea (UM News) — United Methodist Bishop Lanette Plambeck brought a message of gratitude and shared mission to the Korean Methodist Church’s 37th General Conference, affirming that a relationship rooted in 141 years of history continues to shape ministry on both sides of the Pacific. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story.
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Greater New Jersey Conference
Church counts answered prayers
NEPTUNE. N.J. — Two small congregations in the Delaware Bay District have counted 168 answered prayers between them. Pastor Doc Maddison put a box in the sanctuaries of Ferrell and Repaupo United Methodist churches and encouraged people to write down their prayers. They check in on the status of the prayers periodically and note when God answers one of the them. Kate Monahan reports.
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Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Bishops ask for prayers after mass shooting
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Two bishops are asking for prayers and encouraging conversation about ways to limit violence after a fatal mass shooting near Illinois Wesleyan University on Halloween night. Student Giana Dettloff was shot and killed in the incident and nine others were injured. “We recognize that this shooting has not just traumatized individuals and families but also whole communities, including Hope United Methodist Church, which is near the site of the shooting,” said Bishops David Bard and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai in a Nov. 3 statement. Paul Black reports.
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Holston Conference
22 children’s ministries receive grants
ALCOA, Tenn. — Twenty-two ministries serving children recently received grants from a Holston Conference program that has long advocated for the youngest members of the community. Funded through gifts from United Methodist churches, more than $52,000 in Change for Children grants were awarded to help children and families with food, education and other essentials. Annette Spence has the story.
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Kalamazoo College
United Methodist elder, college president dies
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Rev. Lawrence “Larry” Bryan, a former president of Kalamazoo College and an ordained United Methodist elder, died Oct. 29 in Springfield, Illinois, at age 81. He was a graduate of Garrett Theological Seminary and a clergy member of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. He was an active member at Morgantown United Methodist Church in Indiana. Sarah Frink has an obituary.
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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.

Clergy get second chance for Social Security
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — “In a time when it feels like society agrees on very little, it’s encouraging to see people of many faiths and varying political stances come together around a simple idea: Clergy deserve greater financial security in retirement,” writes Andrew Q. “Andy” Hendren, the top executive of Wespath. The new Clergy Act allows U.S. ministers who aren’t covered by Social Security and Medicare to opt in during the 2029 and 2030 tax years.
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