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UM News Digest - Oct. 3, 2025
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“Silence is not our option, and as (a) way of witnessing our faith and Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to go out, let our voices be heard … for we are United Methodists.” — The Rev. Glofie Baluntong, executive director of the Philippines Central Conference board of church and society.
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Filipino United Methodists join thousands of protesters in the Trillion Peso March Sept. 21 as they walk to Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Blessy Grace De Leon.
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Filipino United Methodists rally against corruption
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Filipino United Methodists joined about 100,000 protesters in the Trillion Peso March, a call for accountability and transparency amid allegations of large-scale corruption involving government officials. Retired Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan urged participants to pursue righteousness and justice. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports. |
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World Communion Sunday will be celebrated Oct. 5. 1 Corinthian 11:24. "The Last Supper" (h. 1562) by Juan de Juanes, mid-late 16th century, Museo del Prado. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
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Global Ministries
World Communion offering bears fruit
ATLANTA — A scholarship funded by donations on World Communion Sunday is helping the Rev. Yav Mbay to study conflict transformation at Africa University in Zimbabwe. Mbay, who is an ordained elder in the South Congo and Zambia Area, plans to return to the conflicted region after his studies are finished “to work toward lasting peace and liberation.” The Rev. Erik Alsgaard has the story. World Communion Sunday will be celebrated on Oct. 5. Feel free to download and share the above UM News graphic on social media. It’s available in English, French, Korean and Spanish.
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Learn more about World Communion Sunday
Download social media graphics
Holston Conference
‘Doing God’s work’ across jurisdictions
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Weary of division and determined to help churches serve their Appalachian communities, United Methodists are reaching across state lines and institutional boundaries to collaborate for change. A coalition of church leaders in the Holston and West Virginia conferences, which share a bishop, are sharing training, fellowship and mission work. “My goal is that we get rid of the boundaries and start doing God’s work together,” said the Rev. Daniel Bradley, a Holston Conference pastor. Annette Spence reports.
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Upper New York Conference
Church dedicates memorial garden
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Asbury First United Methodist Church consecrated its new ministry on Sept. 21, a columbarium and memorial garden. The Rev. Kathy Thiel presided over the ceremony, and the ashes of lifelong Asbury member Karen Daniels were the first to be placed there. It ensures that the church can continue walking with its members and their families after their deaths. Upper New York Conference staff have the story.
Read story |
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Michigan Conference
Project supports immigrant neighbors
LANSING, Mich. — When lay member Greg Bright found out that hundreds of Haitians in his community were laid off from their jobs following changes to immigration law, he knew he had to do something. He got involved with the Michigan Conference’s new UMCOR-funded Courageous Communities Project, which aims to resource church leaders who desire to support their immigrant neighbors. Courageous Communities will officially launch Oct. 9 during a free lunch and learn. James Deaton has the story.
Read story
Register for lunch and learn
The Daily Iowan
Rural churches navigate losses
BATAVIA, Iowa — Batavia United Methodist Church attracts 17 worshippers on a good Sunday. The population of the town is only 418, and a lack of job opportunities and an aging citizenry have taken a toll on attendance. Yet members like Marcia Barker say the community is still effective. When she lost a grandchild, church members helped her through the experience. Grace Olson reports.
Read story |
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Pastor recognized for preserving Methodist history
BALTIMORE — The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History has honored the Rev. Bonnie McCubbin with the Contemporary History Trailblazer Award. McCubbin is the director of museums and pilgrimage/conference archivist for the Baltimore-Washington Conference. She is also the pastor of Old Otterbein United Methodist Church. Archives and History also recognized retired Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, Carol Travis and Mollie Stewart for their work with the African American Methodist Heritage Center.
Read press release
UM News: Preserving Black church history
Greater Northwest Area
Bishop launches new podcast
DES MOINES, Wash. — Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area has launched a podcast: “Going the M.I.L.E.: Stories of Calling and Ministry in the Greater Northwest.” He plans for each episode to feature different clergy and laity and how they live out their faith. Bridgeforth’s area includes the Pacific Northwest, Oregon-Idaho and Alaska conferences.
Read press release
Listen to podcast
Reconciling Ministries Network
Group sets up Helen Ryde memorial fund
CHICAGO — Reconciling Ministries Network, an advocacy group for LGBTQ equality, is establishing the Helen Ryde Memorial Fund. Gifts made in memory of Ryde, a longtime organizer with the group, will be used where they are needed most.
Learn more |
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Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
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Deacons explore new sacramental authority
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Some 150 United Methodist deacons gathered in person and online to discuss best practices now that General Conference has authorized deacons to preside at baptism and communion. Chief among the discussion topics was when it is “contextually appropriate” for deacons to administer the sacraments. Heather Hahn reports.
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Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News
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MARCHA urges: Don’t just pray, organize
CHICAGO (UM News) — Clergy and lay leaders from the United Methodist Hispanic-Latino community gathered under unusual security conditions in Chicago to celebrate the caucus’ 53rd annual assembly. The agenda focused on providing tools and information to promote community organizing and foster support for immigrants. The Rev. Gustavo Vasquez reports.
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Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News
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Tanganyika celebrates new bishop, episcopal area
KALEMIE, Congo (UM News) — United Methodist faithful in southeastern Congo gathered to celebrate the establishment of the new Tanganyika Episcopal Area and the installation of its first bishop. Bishop Nelson Kalombo Ngoy shared his five-year plan, which is focused on five strategic pillars. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
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Photo courtesy of the author
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Remembering who we are amid US budget fight
CARROLLTON, Va. — John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, insisted on justice for people at the margins of society. Bishop Peggy A. Johnson urges United Methodists to remember their Wesleyan heritage as they look at how the proposed U.S. federal budget targets trans and gender-expansive people.
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