UM News Digest - Oct. 15, 2025

UM News Digest - Oct. 15, 2025

Bishop envisions new role as evangelist
How General Conference delegates are allotted
Resources available for Laity Sunday

“There’s no place in the Bible where the world is commanded to go to the church. But the church is commanded to go into all the world.” — Bishop Frank Beard, as he launched his new Catching Like Jesus Ministries at a church where he has deep roots.

Bishop Frank Beard uses fishing metaphors to launch his new evangelism program, Catching Like Jesus Ministries, during a sermon at Elkhart Faith United Methodist Church in Goshen, Ind. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Eyesight fading, bishop envisions new role as evangelist
GOSHEN, Ind. (UM News) — After glaucoma forced him to step down from overseeing the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, United Methodist Bishop Frank Beard is launching a new ministry of evangelism. He and his wife, Melissa, are using their love of fishing to teach fellow United Methodists how to hook new disciples. Heather Hahn has the story.

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Ask The UMC
How General Conference delegates are allotted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Determining the total number of delegates each annual conference may elect to General Conference takes time. The Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards of Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explains the steps that go into calculating the delegate counts.
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Global Ministries
Grant helps to empower women in West Bank
ATLANTA — A program funded by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Yambasu Agriculture Initiative is helping women in the West Bank address food security. The Rural Women’s Development Society, a Palestinian nongovernmental organization working in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, has created a project that promotes traditional Palestinian slow-food cooking and entrepreneurship among women. Christie R. House has the story.
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California-Pacific Conference
Church packs sack lunches with love
LOS ANGELES — Kardia United Methodist Church started a sack lunch ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed church members to serve people in the community. The food ministry is still thriving today. The Kardia congregation shares the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Bishop shares journey from Philippines to US
PHOENIX — The first bishop ordained in a central conference and later elected to serve in the United States, Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut shares how growing up in a United Methodist church in his hometown of Baguio City, Philippines, shaped his leadership and call to ministry. Rapanut, who leads the Desert Southwest and New Mexico conferences, shares his story in a “Meet a Bishop” episode of the podcast “Get Your Spirit in Shape.”
Listen to podcast

Missouri Conference
Campus ministry draws international students
WARRENSBURG, Mo. — On Wednesday nights in downtown Warrensburg, one building is packed with young people, many of whom are from somewhere far away. The Wesley Foundation at the University of Central Missouri, known as The Rock, is a ministry of First United Methodist Church, and many of its participants come from outside the U.S. Fred Koenig has the story.
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Church and Society
Social-witness agency announces 2025 grants
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society announced 14 Peace with Justice grants to support programs in Africa, the Philippines and the U.S. Projects include Youth for Health and Justice, Policy Solutions for Peace, an Immigrant Resource Hub and Expanding Anti-War Solidarity. The agency also announced Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day grants.
Read press release and list of grants

Finance and Administration
Agency recognizes Wesleyan Impact Partners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has named Wesleyan Impact Partners as an official ministry partner. Wesleyan Impact Partners’ services include Impact Certificates for individual and congregational investment, loans for new construction and church expansion, and philanthropic tools such as gift planning and endowments.
Read press release

Discipleship Ministries
Resources available for Laity Sunday
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists are invited to celebrate Laity Sunday on Oct. 19 with worship resources centered on the theme “Together by Grace: Be Strong in the Spirit.” David C. Teel of Discipleship Ministries suggests hymns, litanies and other planning tools that honor the vital ministry of laypeople.
See resources