UM News Digest - Oct. 29, 2025

UM News Digest - Oct. 29, 2025

Church farms combat food insecurity in Congo
Understanding Deaf people’s needs
‘BibleKing Ladies’ offer a whopper Bible study

“The church doesn’t just preach, it acts. It is a living church that shows God’s love through concrete actions.” — Thérèse Nkulu, on church-supported farming initiatives in South Congo.

Engineer Sabin Mulang, director of the Development and Projects Office for the South Congo and Zambia Episcopal Area, inspects corn crops at an agropastoral site in Kingandu, Congo. Photo by Christian Kasweka, UM News.

Church farms combat food insecurity in Congo
LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — With financial support from the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative, United Methodists in southern Congo have launched a series of farming projects. Beneficiaries say the projects provide food and financial stability for families. Earlier this year, the products from the farms fed attendees at two annual conference sessions in Congo. Christian Kasweka has the story.

Coming up: UM News will have a story on how United Methodists in the U.S. are fighting food insecurity amid the shutdown.

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(From left) Agronomist Pastor Ndumba Felicien, engineer Sabin Mulang and César Tshibang, financial secretary, hold broiler chickens from the livestock project in Kingandu, Congo. Photo by Christian Kasweka, UM News.

United Methodist Communications
Understanding Deaf people’s needs in the church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Think of Sunday morning worship: the pastor’s greeting, the choir singing, chatting with friends in the pew. Now imagine the experience for a Deaf individual. Part 1 of a series on inclusion focuses on the challenges Deaf people face and how churches can offer tools for better communication. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story for ResourceUMC.
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Follow series

Upper New York Conference
‘BibleKing Ladies’ offer a whopper Bible study
OSWEGO, N.Y. — Eight years ago, a small group of women from Oswego: Trinity United Methodist Church began meeting each Wednesday at their local Burger King for breakfast and Bible discussion. Now affectionately known around town as “The BibleKing Ladies,” the group’s gathering has become a joyful public ministry. Shelby Winchell has the story.
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Great Plains Conference
Roots Church KC reaches church skeptics
ROELAND PARK, Kan. — At Roots Church KC, weekly services are on Wednesday nights instead of Sundays and the songs of Brandi Carlile, a queer folk singer, are sometimes sung. The Rev. Lora Andrews, who founded the United Methodist church plant, said she is overjoyed to see what Roots Church has become in less than a year of existence and six months of weekly worship. David Burke has the story.
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California-Pacific Conference
Asian American Pacific-Islander clergywomen meet
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Asian American Pacific-Islander Clergywomen of The United Methodist Church gathered on Oct. 7-9 for a time of spiritual renewal, fellowship, sharing and worship. The conference brought together clergywomen from across the denomination to celebrate their identities, grow in learning and build relationships. The Rev. Kalesita Tu’ifua, the group’s president, has the story.
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The Rochester Post
Church dedicates Project Linus blankets
ROCHESTER, N.H. — Several hundred handmade Project Linus blankets will be dedicated during the Sunday morning service Nov. 9 at Rochester First United Methodist Church. Project Linus provides handmade blankets to comfort children — from birth to age 18 — who are in need of warmth and security. Rochester Post staff report.
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United Methodist Association of Communicators
Hundreds honored at communications awards
LEAWOOD, Kan. — The United Methodist Association of Communicators recognized hundreds of United Methodist communicators Oct. 28 with an awards celebration. The group honored the Rev. R. Bruce Weiman of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference as its 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, and the Rev. Joe Iovino of United Methodist Communications as its Communicator of the Year.
Read press release
See awards booklet (PDF)

Finance and Administration
4 ways to build a church’s online presence
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has scheduled a webinar at 1 p.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 12 on how to build a meaningful online presence whether a church has its own website or not. This webinar is designed for United Methodist churches and ministries.
Learn more and register

Archives and History
Learn about Sand Creek Massacre
WASHINGTON — A two-part webinar in November will tell the story of the Sand Creek Massacre, a deadly attack on a peaceful Native American community by a military leader who was a Methodist minister. “The Sand Creek Massacre Remembered: Truth-Telling as a Path to Healing” will be broadcast from 2 to 3:15 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Nov. 18 and 20. Participants must register in advance.
Read press release
Register for Nov. 18
Register for Nov. 20