UM News Digest - Sept. 4, 2026

UM News Digest - Sept. 4, 2026

Connected in UK | Affordable housing | Vision video

“We wanted to remain United Methodists. It was about our language, our culture and that sense of belonging.” — Ralph Mujuru, on establishing The United Methodist Church’s United Kingdom District.

Worshippers sing traditional Shona hymns during a revival organized by the Women’s Fellowship of The United Methodist Church’s United Kingdom District, July 2-5 in Blackpool, England. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, UM News.

Church keeps UK Zimbabweans connected to home
LANCASHIRE, England (UM News) — For many Zimbabweans living in the United Kingdom, Sunday worship is more than a weekly gathering; it is a moment of reconnection. They hear Scripture proclaimed in Shona, sing hymns that shaped their faith and worship alongside people who understand the joys and struggles of building a life far from home. As the United Methodist United Kingdom District prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, its story offers a powerful witness to how faith travels with people. Priscilla Muzerengwa has the story.

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Oregon-Idaho Conference
Church plans to turn building into housing
PORTLAND, Ore. — The congregation of Montavilla United Methodist is excited to be tearing down its old, deteriorating building, and replacing it with Las Nuevas Rosas, an affordable housing apartment complex. The complex will include a new space on the first floor for the church to worship and do ministry. Work is scheduled to begin in 2028. The church is known for its work with people experiencing homelessness. Kristen Caldwell has the story.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Vigil honors shooting victims
TUCSON, Ariz. — Two men shot and killed outside a gay bar on Aug. 31 were mourned at a vigil attended by Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut and other United Methodist leaders. The Sept. 2 event at Catalina Park included remarks from family members of Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara, as well as friends, clergy and community leaders. The Desert Southwest Conference’s presence at the vigil continued a public commitment against anti-LGBTQ hatred that reaches back more than three decades. Christina Dillabough has the story.
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Holston Conference
Pastor’s new role significant for clergywomen
MARYVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Sarah Slack was recently appointed senior pastor at First United Methodist in Maryville. She is currently the only female senior pastor in Holston Conference’s 10 largest churches. Slack, who has designed the Holston Annual Conference’s altar setting for 20 years, takes her new role as The United Methodist Church celebrates 70 years of clergywomen’s full membership. Annette Spence has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Video spotlights those putting new vision into action
KINDU, Congo — French-speaking United Methodists are invited to learn more about and celebrate the vision of The United Methodist Church by watching a new video that highlights stories of loving boldly, serving joyfully and leading courageously. Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe explains how the vision statement inspires, empowers and guides United Methodists as they continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ and transform the world.
Watch video in French

Pacific Northwest Conference
Conference plans special session on budget
DES MOINES, Wash. — Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth has called a special online session of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference at 6:30 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time Nov. 10. The purpose of the gathering is to vote on the 2027 conference budget.
See call letter
Learn more

New 2026 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2026 annual conference reports. New this week are the East Congo and North Katanga conferences.
Read reports

No UM News Digest on Monday
There will be no UM News Digest on Sept. 7 in observance of the U.S. Labor Day holiday. The digest will return on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Wesleyan Impact Partners
‘Courageous Congregations’ effort expands
AUSTIN, Texas — Wesleyan Impact Partners, a U.S. nonprofit that invests in ministries nationwide, announces the expansion of Courageous Congregations Collaborate, an initiative to equip churches to strengthen leadership and deepen neighborhood engagement. The expansion to more than 70 congregations is made possible by support from Lilly Endowment Inc. and a new five-year funding commitment from both Wesleyan Impact Partners and Texas Methodist Foundation of $200,000 each.
Read press release

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.

Getting beyond the traditionalism of liberalism
WILSON, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth, retired pastor and editor of Lifewatch, urges The United Methodist Church to take a more traditional approach during its upcoming Leadership Gathering in Canada. “For this to happen, honest discussion and difficult debate will be required,” he writes. “Words will be strong. Disagreements sharp. Feelings hurt. Feathers ruffled. But a new direction, a traditioned and apostolic direction, of The United Methodist Church — in the service of Christ and his church — just might emerge.”
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Northern Illinois Conference
The value of pastoral renewal leave
CEDARVILLE, Ill. — The Rev. Matthew Smith, pastor of Cedarville and Warren United Methodist churches in the Northern Illinois Conference, recently returned from a renewal leave. One question he was asked is, “Was it a nice vacation?” He writes that while he found moments of rest and joy, renewal leave is much deeper than a vacation. “It is intentional time set aside to reconnect with God, renew one’s calling and return to ministry with fresh spiritual, emotional and intellectual strength.”
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Association of Ministers with Disabilities
Join conversation about accessibility, future
WASHINGTON — The Association of Ministers with Disabilities invites United Methodists with disabilities to a virtual Community Conversation at 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Sept. 19 to discuss the Leadership Gathering in October and hopes for the future United Methodist Church. The association wants to hear about ways the church can become more accessible, welcoming and supportive of people with disabilities and their leadership.
Register for webinar
Learn more