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Bishop Ande Emmanuel of Nigeria (right) leads a celebratory dance line to the song “We Are Marching in the Light of God” at the close of the United Methodist Leadership Gathering on Oct. 24 at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada. After long hours of small-group discussion, Leadership Gathering participants revealed their recommendations for The United Methodist Church yet to be. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Gathering offers 16 ideas for church future

After long hours of small-group discussion, Leadership Gathering participants revealed their recommendations for The United Methodist Church yet to be.

Editor's Picks

Theology and Education

This year marks the 25th anniversary of a special consultation in Bristol, England, focused on “Las Obras de Juan Wesley,” the Spanish translation of John Wesley’s works. The publication of “Las Obras” in 1998, and the 2001 consultation were both aimed at supporting Latino and Hispanic pastors and congregations. Photo courtesy of the Wesley Heritage Foundation.

Rediscovering the works of John Wesley, in Spanish

This year marks the 25th anniversary of a special consultation focused on the Spanish translation of John Wesley’s works. Scholars are celebrating that milestone by publishing an upcoming volume of selected writings.

Church Leadership

Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel (second from left) and other episcopal leaders try out the newly acquired motorcycles at a handover ceremony in Jalingo, Nigeria. Built to handle rugged terrain, the vehicles will make it possible to reach isolated villages to plant churches, win souls and support pastoral work more effectively. Photo by Joseph Dauda Idris Balasa, UM News.

Motorcycles strengthen ministry in rural Nigeria

United Methodist Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel presented 48 motorcycles to district superintendents in the Nigeria Episcopal Area to ease travel challenges.

Annual Conferences

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

General Church

A view of the sanctuary at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. Highland Park’s church council is recommending its members vote to sever ties with The United Methodist Church in the wake of a civil lawsuit filed by the Horizon Texas Conference. Voting will take place Oct. 25-26 at the church. Photo courtesy of Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Emotions high as Highland Park vote looms

General Church

The Rev. Christopher T. McAlilly prays during morning worship Oct. 22 at the United Methodist Leadership Gathering at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada. Participants spent their second full day together moving from naming the realities facing The United Methodist Church to reflecting on practices to help it thrive. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Gathering explores new practices for church

General Church

Ashlee Vitz (left) and Teri Watanabe raise their arms in praise during opening worship Oct. 21 at the United Methodist Leadership Gathering at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada. The event, which continues through Oct. 24, brings lay and clergy from around the world together to imagine a new future for The United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Gathering begins to imagine church yet to be

Immigration

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi (from left), Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, the Rev. Erica Robinson-Johnson and other faith leaders participate in a public witness for immigrant justice near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 25. United Methodist leaders are cheering an Oct. 20 U.S. federal appeals court ruling that allows faith groups, including United Methodists, to move forward with a lawsuit to stop a Trump administration policy that allows immigration enforcement within houses of worship. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Court revives suit to block ICE from churches

Mission and Ministry

Living the vision

Social Concerns

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers chase Carlos Chavez (not pictured), a Mexican-born member of North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission in Los Angeles, on Jan. 29 on church property. Chavez was deported shortly thereafter. The ICE raid disrupted a food ministry and mothers and children working in the church garden. Photo courtesy of North Hills Hispanic Mission United Methodist Church.

Decision on ‘sensitive location’ policy coming

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Local Church

The Rev. Roslyn Lee poses with a costumed Robert Festa, while the Rev. Won Tack Lee snaps a photo. Festa is a volunteer at the Restless Souls Haunted House, a ministry of West Hills United Methodist Church on Long Island, N.Y. Photo by Lilla Margiza, UM News.

Haunted ministry welcomes ‘Restless Souls’

Evangelism

Happy Thanksgiving from United Methodist News. Psalm 118:24. Photo by Jill Wellington, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media graphics from UM News

Social Concerns

Giovanni Tapang, a scientist and spokesperson of Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, speaks to an ecumenical gathering in Quezon City about the proposed Pax Silica development in New Clark City, Tarlac, and its possible implications for communities, Indigenous Peoples, natural resources and Philippine sovereignty. Photo by Donna Mae Delfin, National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

Filipino United Methodists question AI hub

Mission and Ministry

Volunteers from the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Disaster Management Office in the East Congo Episcopal Area supervise the sorting and distribution of food in the courtyard of Amani Parish in Goma, Congo. The monthly assistance program provided aid to 300 vulnerable United Methodist households affected by armed conflict in North Kivu. Photo by Jolie Shabani Mulebinge, UM News.

Church supports families affected by war in Congo

General Church

The Rev. Eunice Iliya (center) joins with hundreds of others attending the United Methodist Leadership Gathering in waving their glowing cell phones to the tune of “This Little Light of Mine,” at the close of morning worship on Oct. 23 in the sanctuary of Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada, which is hosting the global event. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Ideas for the future church start to take shape

Commentaries

Leadership Gathering should focus on local church

A vision for funding regional conferences

The Rev. Dr. Lloyd T. Nyarota and The Rev. Albert Otshudi Longe. Photos courtesy of the authors.

An invitation to reflect on the denomination’s future

Be brave enough to let the light find you

The Rev. Lindsey B. Freeman. Photo by Adam Bowers.

Walking the journey of calling

This blog appears in the Blogs and Commentaries section of UM News. UM News is a ministry of United Methodist Communications.

Suicide is a public health crisis. How can faith communities respond?

James H. Salley. Photo courtesy of the author.

James Laney had big impact on Africa University

Remembering 9/11 at John Street church

Multimedia

Evangelism

Haunted ministry welcomes ‘Restless Souls’

Restless Souls Haunted House is serving up scares with a purpose: See how a collaborative effort by four New York United Methodist churches turns Halloween thrills into a ministry that brings the community together.

Faith Sharing

Social media graphics from UM News

Mission and Ministry

A member of a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Disaster Response Team from Virginia works to clear a flood-damaged home in Western North Carolina during the days following Hurricane Helene in 2024. Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

50 years of turning faith into action

Social Concerns

Graphic by Ben Ward, photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Atlanta: Connection across difference

UM News Podcast Season One