UM News Digest - Sept. 29, 2025

UM News Digest - Sept. 29, 2025

Deacons explore new sacramental authority
Tanganyika celebrates new bishop, episcopal area
Pet ministries unleash connections

“Being withdrawn from the world is no answer for Christians. That makes the church irrelevant. Oh, how we need the ministry of our deacons!” — Western Pennsylvania Conference Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball.

Participants in the 2025 United Methodist Church Deacons Gathering sing during opening worship at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. From left are the Rev. Shannon Howard, the Rev. Tina Marie Rees, the Rev. Sherry Brady and Candace Brady. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

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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Bishop Mande Muyombo (left), president of the Africa Colleges of Bishops, presents the episcopal staff to Bishop Nelson Kalombo Ngoy during Ngoy’s installation as the first bishop of the new Tanganyika Episcopal Area on Sept. 14 in Kalemie, Congo. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Tanganyika celebrates new bishop, episcopal area
KALEMIE, Congo (UM News) — United Methodist faithful in southeastern Congo gathered this month 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 and emphasized that the new episcopal area is not simply an administrative change but a divine call to bring the light of the Gospel further afield. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.

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UMC.org, Great Plains Conference
Pet ministries unleash connections
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Celebrating the connections people have with their pets and developing relationships with pet parents can lead to meaningful discipleship. A new book by Gayle Fiser and the Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder, pastor at Pinnacle View United Methodist, offers “New Tricks” and practical advice for churches that want to build community with pet enthusiasts. At Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, a pet project has grown into full ministry. Laura Buchanan with United Methodist Communications and David Burke with the Great Plains Conference have the stories.
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Holston Conference
One year after Helene, county still in need
MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. — United Methodists are part of a multigroup effort to help residents of upper East Tennessee’s Johnson County recover from damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Many families are still in need of safe homes and clean water, and county officials expect recovery will require another three or four years. Annette Spence reports.
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Greater Northwest Area
Church community mourns unhoused neighbor
PORTLAND, Ore. — The altar at Montavilla United Methodist Church was filled with flowers as the community came to honor the life of their dear friend, Mary. She was a mother of three, a grandmother, a recovering addict and she was houseless. “She had a hard life, and yet Mary was loved,” said Rev. Heather Riggs, the church’s pastor. Kristen Caldwell has the story.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Advocacy helps congregation with ministry goals
EMORY GROVE, Md. — The wish to develop affordable housing in their community led the people of Emory Grove United Methodist Church to learn a new skill set: political engagement. The church successfully lobbied to change two zoning rules that were holding up the project. “Advocacy has become a very big deal at our church,” said the Rev. Timothy Warner, the congregation’s pastor. Baltimore-Washington Conference staff report.
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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.

Deacons serve diverse, specialized roles
LANCASTER, Pa. (UM News) — Deacons exemplify the ministry to which all Christians are called, writes the Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens, who chairs the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Order of Deacons. In The United Methodist Church, deacons serve specialized ministries as ordained clergy.
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North Georgia Conference
Bishop Dease honored for service to youth
ATLANTA — United Methodist Men honored Bishop Robin Dease, who leads the North Georgia and South Georgia conferences, with the Silver Torch Award. The national award honors adults who have served The United Methodist Church through youth-related organizations such as Scouting America, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire USA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 4-H or United Methodist Youth.
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