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UM News Digest - Oct. 23, 2026
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“You and I happen to be stewards of a tradition that knows the power of gathering circles of people to minister with one another in the world.” — The Rev. Tyler Ho-Yin Sit, a United Methodist church planter.
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The Rev. Eunice Iliya (center) joins with hundreds of others attending the United Methodist Leadership Gathering in waving their glowing cell phones to the tune of “This Little Light of Mine” in the sanctuary of Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada, on Oct. 23. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.
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Ideas for future church start to take shape
CALGARY, Alberta (UM News) — United Methodists at the Leadership Gathering heard that God already has provided the church with enough to nurture faithful Christian disciples who can stop the global rise of tyranny. On the gathering’s third full day, participants began imagining a church that, in the best Wesleyan tradition, connects evangelism with prophetic witness. The previous day, those gathered also discussed addressing the denomination’s struggles with new practices. Heather Hahn has the stories. |
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A view of the sanctuary at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Photo courtesy of Highland Park United Methodist Church.
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Emotions high as Highland Park vote looms
DALLAS (UM News) — Leaders at Highland Park United Methodist Church are hoping to lead their congregation away from The United Methodist Church and have set up a vote on the issue for Oct. 25-26. Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr. of the Horizon Texas Conference argues that the church cannot leave the denomination based on the results of the vote. Some church members are wrestling with the decision. The vote comes a little more than two months after the conference filed a civil lawsuit against the Dallas megachurch. Jim Patterson reports.
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The Rev. Roslyn Lee poses with a costumed Robert Festa, while the Rev. Won Tack Lee snaps a photo. Photo by Lilla Margiza, UM News.
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Haunted ministry welcomes ‘Restless Souls’
HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (UM News) — At Restless Souls Haunted House, the scares are intentional — but so is the welcome. Each fall, nearly 200 volunteers turn the woods beside a United Methodist church on Long Island, New York, into a memorable Halloween experience. Preparation and performances take months and long hours. Along the way, many volunteers find something they weren’t necessarily looking for: friendship, faith and a place to belong. UM News reporter Lilla Marigza takes us there.
Watch video |
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Global Ministries
Strengthening prevention efforts as Ebola spreads
KOLWEZI, Congo — Health workers and volunteers are delivering life-saving information as part of the fight against an Ebola outbreak. One project in South Congo, supported with a Global Health grant from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, spread information about Ebola through schools and marketplaces, churches and medical clinics. Christie R. House has the story.
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Nigeria Episcopal Area
Church equips leaders for peace transformation
JALINGO, Nigeria — The Nigeria Episcopal Area hosted a five-day Strategic Peace and Conflict Transformation Seminar aimed at equipping frontline church and community leaders with practical knowledge and skills to prevent conflict, promote reconciliation and build sustainable peace across Nigeria. It is the first of four skills-based trainings planned for first responders. The Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta reports.
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Missouri Conference
Connecting with students outside of church
ST. LOUIS — United Methodists in Missouri are finding ways to connect with young people busy with sports or other activities. “We will tell our small group leaders, go watch and cheer on your kids doing awesome things and doing the things they love, not as a competition, but as an opportunity to connect,” said the Rev. Martin Leathers, students pastor and middle school director at The Gathering, a multisite United Methodist church. He’s one of several youth leaders meeting students where they are. Caitlin Sullivan has the story.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Called to serve: Clergywoman turns 100
FULTON, Md. — When the Rev. Irene Pierce became ordained, she was already past retirement age. So she served as a local minister long after joining Asbury Methodist Church in 1953. Her ministry extended beyond Asbury to include pastoring a small Black church in a predominantly white town, where she confronted racism while also advancing her career with the U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Commerce. After turning 100 in August, Pierce was honored at two celebrations. Erik Alsgaard has the story.
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Finance and Administration
Church websites could face attacks from hackers
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two critical security vulnerabilities in PHP, the programming language behind millions of websites, could allow attackers to take control of church websites without ever needing a password. The General Council on Finance and Administration is urging congregations, conferences and United Methodist agencies to treat the threat as a high priority. This is already being used to exploit websites, the agency said in a press release.
Read press release
Religion and Race
United Methodists welcome court ruling
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and the denomination’s New York, North Georgia and Western North Carolina conferences welcome the Oct. 20 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit allowing their legal challenge to the Department of Homeland Security's decision to rescind its sensitive locations policy to move forward. “This ruling marks an important step in our continued efforts to protect the rights and dignity of immigrant communities and uphold the sacred role of churches as places of worship and belonging,” the groups said in a press release.
Read press release
UM News: Court revives suit to block ICE from churches
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Photo by Dauda Idris Balasa, UM News
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Motorcycles strengthen ministry in rural Nigeria
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Photo courtesy of the Wesley Heritage Foundation
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Rediscovering John Wesley’s works in Spanish
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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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