UM News Digest - Sept. 22, 2025

UM News Digest - Sept. 22, 2025

Pastor turns sonnets into sermons
Churches match up in ‘grape juice invitational’
Work underway in conference unification study

“(Poetry) unlocks a different avenue of understanding and access to truth.” — The Rev. Jesse Baker, a poet and pastor of First United Methodist Church of Elon, North Carolina.

The Rev. Jesse Baker preaches at First United Methodist Church of Elon, N.C. A poet as well as a pastor, Baker writes a sonnet based on the Scripture he intends to preach on each week, then uses the sonnet to inspire his sermon. His new book, “Clarity and Light: Meditations on Scripture,” is a collection of his sonnets. Photo by Patrick Abbott, courtesy of First United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Jesse Baker preaches at First United Methodist Church of Elon, N.C. Photo by Patrick Abbott, courtesy of First United Methodist Church.

Pastor turns sonnets into sermons
ELON, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Jesse Baker is writing sonnets to put Scripture in perspective, which he says helps him write more compelling sermons. As pastor of First United Methodist Church of Elon, Baker writes a sonnet based on the Scripture he intends to preach on each week, then uses the poem to inspire his sermon. He has even published a book of his sonnets. Jim Patterson has the story.

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UM News: Poetry helps seminary professor ‘stay awake in the gospel’

Holston Conference
Churches match up in ‘grape juice invitational’
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A suggestion that came from a young adult Sunday school class led to a soccer match between First and Ebenezer United Methodist churches, both in Knoxville. The Rev. Caleb Pitkin, First’s pastor, called it the “Welch’s Grape Juice Invitational Classic.” Annette Spence has the story.
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North Georgia, South Georgia conferences
Work underway in conference unification study
MACON, Ga. — Affirmed by both the North and South Georgia annual conferences this summer, United Methodist working groups are considering how structure, mission, stewardship and strategy would be affected by unification of the two conferences. Their work includes bringing the best of both conferences to the table. The conferences’ staff have the story.
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United Methodist Communications
From YouTube to spiritual awakenings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — What happens when questions about faith lead into the world of YouTube? In an episode of Compass Podcast, the Rev. Matt Patrick shares his journey from campus ministry to online community-building, revealing how deep theological conversations and honest dialogue on platforms like YouTube are becoming vital spaces for seekers, doubters and lifelong Christians alike.
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South Carolina Conference
Wedding marks milestone for South Carolina
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — South Carolina pastors officiated the state’s first same-sex wedding in a United Methodist church this spring. And for new spouses Shannon Creighton and Ben Chumley, they’re now feeling both loved by their church family and “complete.” Both men are leaders at Trinity United Methodist Church. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.

Discipleship Ministries
Martial arts offer lessons about discipleship
NASHVILE, Tenn. — An executive with United Methodist Discipleship Ministries says her training in martial arts shares important aspects with her faith. The Rev. Motoe Yamada Foor, executive director of stakeholder relationships, studied karate and judo growing up in Japan. She says both need individual practice along with community and accountability. “You can pray and read the Bible on your own, but spiritual growth deepens when we do life together,” Foor writes.
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