UM News Digest - Sept. 23, 2026

UM News Digest - Sept. 23, 2026

Court cases | Ebola response | Stolen funds recovered

“This is a severe test of the ability of the United Methodist connection to remain connected.” — The Rev. William B. Lawrence

After a season of church disaffiliations, United Methodists are still bringing disputes to civil courts. In the past week, the Baltimore-Washington Conference filed a federal lawsuit to defend the denomination’s trust clause. Meanwhile, Highland Park United Methodist has filed its response to the Horizon Texas Conference lawsuit. Photo illustration by Ray Shrewsberry, Pixabay.

Photo illustration by Ray Shrewsberry, Pixabay

Court cases test United Methodist governance
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — After the season of church disaffiliations, United Methodists are still bringing disputes to civil courts. The Baltimore-Washington Conference has filed a federal lawsuit to defend the denomination’s trust clause. Meanwhile, Highland Park United Methodist has filed its response to the Horizon Texas Conference lawsuit about church-governance issues. Heather Hahn reports.

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A sign for a United Methodist Church-supported Ebola treatment center is installed at the construction site at Bambu General Referral Hospital in the Djugu territory in Ituri, Congo. Funded by a $100,000 grant from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Global Health unit, the new health facility will have a capacity of 50 beds to isolate and quickly treat patients and reduce community transmission at the epicenter of the outbreak. Photo courtesy of the East Congo Health Board.

Judith Yanga Osongo (left), director of communications for the East Congo Episcopal Area, raises awareness about Ebola prevention measures at a United Methodist church in Beni, Congo. Photo courtesy of the East Congo Episcopal Area.

Church builds on Ebola response in Congo
KINDU, Congo (UM News) — The United Methodist Church is strengthening its Ebola response in eastern Congo, including building a new treatment center and mobilizing communities through a large-scale communications campaign. The efforts are supported by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and United Methodist Communications. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
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New England Conference
Conference recovers $250,000 in stolen funds
METHUEN, Mass. — Acting Treasurer Lonnie Chafin announced that the New England Conference has so far recovered $250,000 of $1.6 million stolen in a cybercrime incident in August. He also gave an update on the investigation and offered guidance for how churches can protect themselves from cybercriminals.
Read update
UM News: Conference confronts cyber theft with faith, resolve

United Methodist Communications
Hispanic Heritage Month and the call to accompany
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For The United Methodist Church, Hispanic Heritage Month offers an opportunity to recognize the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. But for those who have lived and served among these communities, the celebration can mean much more than a cultural event. The Rev. Gustavo Vásquez 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.

How can faith communities respond to suicide crisis?
ATLANTA (UM News) — Faith leaders need help in recognizing the signs that a parishioner may be contemplating suicide. To help address this need, the E. Stanley Jones Foundation and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries have developed a free online training course for clergy and lay leaders. Roland Fernandes and Dr. Anne Mathews-Younes explain why the agency and foundation see suicide prevention as a ministry concern. In a separate commentary, the Rev. Dr. Rick Vance of United Methodist Men shares why men’s ministry must talk about suicide.
Read Fernandes/Mathews-Younes commentary
Read Vance commentary

Wespath
Wespath among ‘best and brightest’
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Wespath, The United Methodist Church’s pension and benefits agency, has been named one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, a distinction awarded to organizations that demonstrate exceptional innovation in business practices and human resource strategies. The milestone also marks 10 consecutive years of Wespath being recognized as one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies. “What makes this especially meaningful is that it reflects the voices of our employees, highlighting our shared commitment to our mission, values and culture,” said Nicole Durham, managing director of Human Resources at Wespath.
Read press release

Church and Society
Get prepared for midterm elections
WASHINGTON — Resources for engaging in the midterm elections with faith and purpose are available from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Information about voter education, voter engagement and voter protection are provided free online.
Learn more
See resources