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UM News Digest - Oct. 10, 2025
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“God has been faithful to see us through thus far. And for that reason, we can trust that in all that is to come, the purposes for which God has planted us on this corner will come — in God’s time — to fruition.” — The Rev. Will Ed Green, responding to a key development in converting part of church property into affordable housing.
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The Rev. Will Ed Green (right), senior pastor of Silver Spring United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., shows part of the church’s facility to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Photo by Alison Burdett, Baltimore-Washington Conference.
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State gives big boost to church housing plan
SILVER SPRING, Md. (UM News) — Maryland is providing crucial tax credits for Silver Spring United Methodist Church’s $88.2 million affordable-housing initiative. The growing, multi-ethnic church in a pricey D.C. suburb is part of the trend of congregations across the U.S. repurposing their property to address a nationwide housing crisis. Heather Hahn reports. |
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Participants sing praises during the opening worship of the Korean Association of The United Methodist Church, held Sept. 29 at Calvary Korean United Methodist Church in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.
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Korean church leaders commit to mission, healing
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (UM News) — The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church’s 2025 convocation brought together registered pastors, laity and ministry leaders from across the United States. Mission was a central focus. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story. |
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DesertSouthwest Conference
Churches bring together faith, food and football
GLOBE, Ariz. — St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, with support from Gold Canyon United Methodist Church and the Desert Southwest Conference, hosted more than 150 football players and coaches from three rival schools for dinner and fellowship after their summer scrimmage. What began as a simple idea became a powerful ministry moment. Pastor Jeremy Brigham, a former NFL tight end, reports.
Read story
Iowa Conference
Church honored by Iowa Safe Schools
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Safe Schools has awarded Walnut Hills United Methodist Church with the Community Equality Leader Award for its ongoing advocacy and support of LGBTQ youth. “Walnut Hills UMC exemplifies what it means to be a faith community rooted in radical love and unwavering advocacy,” said Zach Rus, executive director of Iowa Safe Schools. The Rev. Nate Nims has the story.
Read story |
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New York Conference
Church installs heating with a halo effect
DANBURY, Conn. — When some people hear the word “halo,” they think about angels. But when some members of the United Methodist Church of Danbury hear the word “halo,” they think about warmth and fiscal responsibility. Earlier this year, the congregation became the first church in North America to install the Halo Infrared heating system in its sanctuary. Lisa Isom and Joy Duckett-Cain have the story.
Read story
Holston Conference, The Associated Press
Bobby Cain, barrier breaker, dies at 85
CLINTON, Tenn. — Bobby Cain, a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Clinton, Tennessee, died on Sept. 22. He helped desegregate one of the first high schools in the South in 1956. He also was the first Black student in Tennessee to graduate from an integrated public school. Travis Loller has the obituary.
Read obituary |
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Immigration Law & Justice Network
Exploring immigration from abolitionist view
ANNANDALE, Va. — On any given day, 60,000 immigrants are detained in the United States. The Immigration Law & Justice Network has scheduled a webinar at 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Oct. 15 offering firsthand testimonies from abolitionists who are working to end immigration detention.
Learn more and register |
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Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News
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Comics and theology — a match made in heaven?
WASHINGTON (UM News) — There are many paths to faith, and one of them may be a cluttered comic bookstore in the District of Columbia. The Comics X Theology book club meets there once a month to discuss how faith and comic book storytelling intermingle. The group was founded by the Rev. Jonathan Brown, a comic fan and associate pastor at Foundry United Methodist Church. Jim Patterson reports.
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Photo by Jeannie Schott, Western Pennsylvania Conference
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Church tours explore civil rights struggles
PHILADELPHIA (UM News) — United Methodist-sponsored groups are making pilgrimages to iconic sites in America’s civil rights history to promote advocacy against racism and encourage reflection on the ongoing struggles for racial justice. The tours are inspired by the denomination’s Dismantling Racism campaign, launched by the United Methodist Council of Bishops in 2020. John W. Coleman has the story.
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Photo courtesy of the East Congo Episcopal Area health board
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Supporting sexual violence survivors in Congo
GOMA, Congo (UM News) — As conflict continues to ravage eastern Congo, a humanitarian project of The United Methodist Church is helping to restore hope and dignity to dozens of women who have been victims of sexual violence. Funded by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the ministry provides psychological support and vocational training. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
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Photo courtesy of the Alabama-West Florida Conference
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Alabama bishop responds to mass shooting
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, who leads the Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama conferences, is calling for prayer after gun violence ended the lives of at least two people and injured at least 12 others Oct. 4 in downtown Montgomery. “And then, let’s work together in our churches, our neighborhoods, and our communities to do something about the presence of gun violence in our midst,” he writes.
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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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Email: [email protected]
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