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Church Growth
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. has released “An Aura of Hope: United Methodism’s Next Chapter in the United States,” which offers advice for rebuilding the post-disaffiliation church. Book cover courtesy of Abingdon Press, graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. has released “An Aura of Hope: United Methodism’s Next Chapter in the United States,” which offers advice for rebuilding the post-disaffiliation church. Book cover courtesy of Abingdon Press, graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Scholar offers guide for growth after division
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr., a respected scholar of United Methodist leadership, has published “An Aura of Hope” — offering a roadmap for renewal after a season of church disaffiliations.

Editor's Picks

Church History
Mark Sirak (left), a resource interpretative specialist and historian, recounts to members of the Northeastern Jurisdiction Commission on Archives and History the 1776 landing of Gen. George Washington’s troops at what is now Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, N.J. The tour was part of the group’s annual gathering, which coincides with this year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Church historians explore racial and revolutionary past
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, a jurisdictional gathering explores American and Methodist history, past racial oppression and present social challenges.
General Church
Bishop João Filimone Sambo prays during the Southern Africa Regional Conference’s strategic retreat held April 9-11 in Maputo, Mozambique. Sambo was the host bishop for the gathering. Delegates at the retreat crafted a roadmap for contextualized mission and ministry in Southern Africa. Photo by Roque Facela, UM News.

Southern Africans live into regionalization
Church leaders in The United Methodist Church’s Southern Africa Regional Conference craft a roadmap for contextualized mission and ministry.
Annual Conferences
Annual Conference Reports

2026 United Methodist annual conference reports
UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.

Latest News

Faith Sharing
United Methodist Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, episcopal leader of the California-Pacific Conference, hugs the Rev. Edith Molina during the Methodist Church of Mexico’s General Conference, held May 15-22 in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. During the assembly, the Methodist Church of Mexico reaffirmed its concordat covenant with The United Methodist Church. Photo by Paul Gómez, United Methodist Communications.

Mexican church affirms United Methodist ties
Social Concerns
Church members from Ebenezer Temple of the Methodist Church of Togo greet Africa Methodist Council visitors after Sunday worship service on May 17 in Aného, Togo. Ebenezer, built in 1895, is the church’s oldest sanctuary. The council gathered leaders of Methodist denominations in Africa to discuss challenges on the continent and strengthen cooperation to help position the church as a prophetic voice for justice and peace. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

African Methodists pledge to speak out against injustice
Ecumenism
The United Methodist Council of Bishops and leaders of The United Church of Canada have approved an interim covenant between their denominations. The agreement includes their intent to bring a full communion proposal for the approval of the United Methodist General Conference and the United Church’s General Council, which are both scheduled to meet in 2028. Logos courtesy of United Methodist Communications and with permission of The United Church of Canada.

United Methodists bolster ties in Canada
Theology and Education
Graduates celebrate their achievements during Africa University’s 32nd commencement ceremony on June 6 in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Members of the class of 2026 hailed from 21 African countries and more than 10% received first-class degrees, the highest academic honor. Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

698 students graduate from Africa University
Church Growth
The Parkview Kitengela United Methodist Church choir entertains visitors from the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry at the church in Nairobi, Kenya, during the agencies’ spring board meeting April 8-10. Parkview Kitengela is one of nine newly established congregations in the Nairobi District, which is thriving through evangelism campaigns and community outreach. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Evangelism sparks church growth in Kenya
Local Church
Bishop Daniel Lunge (center) of the Central Congo Episcopal Area speaks during a roundtable on communication in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as East Congo Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe (left) and North Katanga Bishop Mande Muyombo look on. The bishops emphasized that communication is an essential tool for making disciples and building peace in geographically complex and conflict-ridden areas. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Charting new path for African communication
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Local Church
Liturgical dancers from the Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company perform during the United Women in Faith Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis. The dance represented the search for home. The assembly also included a workshop where participants learned how United Methodists’ work on housing might offer lessons for other grassroots efforts. Photo by Mike DuBose, United Women in Faith.

How churchgoers can start a grassroots campaign
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Evangelism
Image by sebastiano iervolino from Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News

Social media graphics from UM News
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Social Concerns
Jennifer Ivey (left) and Carolyn Weaver relax together at the Family Reconciliation Guest House in Nashville, Tenn. The ministry provides a comfortable, safe and free place for friends and families of inmates to stay while visiting loved ones who are incarcerated. The painting on the table was created by Gary Wayne Sutton, a death row inmate whom Weaver visits regularly. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Guest house offers hope, community for inmates’ families
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Mission and Ministry
Holly Petti and her dog Paisley chat with people entering the Sanctuary at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. The church has a designated dog greeter every Sunday in addition to numerous pet outreach ministries the congregation offers. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Dog church welcomes people and pets
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General Church
Stacey Abrams speaks to the legacy banquet during the United Women in Faith Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis on May 16. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, United Women in Faith.

Church women urged to resist authoritarianism
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Commentaries

The Rev. Keri Cress. Photo courtesy of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.

Love of neighbor drives advocacy in political spaces
Cliff White. Photo courtesy of the author.

Another United Methodist way to look at high court’s voting decision
Retired Bishop Peggy A. Johnson. Photo courtesy of the author.

Helping people ‘hear the Gospel’ in new ways
The Rev. Christopher P. Momany. Photo by Kristen Schell.

For every righteous ‘no,’ there must be a holy ‘yes’
Dr. Brett McKinley Pardue. Photo courtesy of the author.

Grace doesn’t grab: Why consent belongs in worship
John W. Coleman. Photo by Corbin Payne.

What comes next after ‘Faithful Resistance’ march?
Susan Clark. Photo courtesy of the author.

Winter guard meets Wesleyan warmth
The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera. Photo by Brian McConkey Photography, courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Viera.

Church must do messy work of restoring community
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Multimedia

Mission and Ministry
Holly Petti and her dog Paisley chat with people entering the Sanctuary at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. The church has a designated dog greeter every Sunday in addition to numerous pet outreach ministries the congregation offers. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.
Holly Petti and her dog Paisley chat with people entering the Sanctuary at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. The church has a designated dog greeter every Sunday in addition to numerous pet outreach ministries the congregation offers. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Dog church welcomes people and pets
A United Methodist church in Little Rock celebrates Earth Day by recognizing God’s care for his people and the pets they love.

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Faith Sharing
Image by sebastiano iervolino from Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News

Social media graphics from UM News
Local Church
Participants stretch during a yoga class at First Church Fort Pierce, a United Methodist Congregation in Florida. Photo by Lilla Marigza UM News.

Yoga ministry stretches beyond church walls
Social Concerns
Recipients of sun-powered ovens learn to adapt local recipes to the new cooking method. This photo was taken during a United Methodist Solar Oven Partners workshop for new oven owners in Bo, Sierra Leone, in December 2025. Photo courtesy of Solar Oven Partners.

Solar oven ministry changes lives
Social Concerns
Christians from many faith denominations join a Palm Sunday march through the streets of downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on March 29, 2026. The rally was one of about 30 events across 16 states. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

United Methodists put faith into action on Palm Sunday
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