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The Rev. Stephen Handy (center) sits with Tommas Bolton (left) and Kevin Haas during a community meal at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. “We sit with them,” Handy said. “We want to know the names; we want to hear the stories.” Handy has been pastor at McKendree since 2009 and also supervises about 20 urban churches between Nashville and Memphis, encouraging them to get out in their neighborhoods. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Dare to take risks to move church forward, pastor says

The Rev. Stephen Handy envisions more United Methodist churches using the spare space in their buildings to build partnerships in their neighborhoods.

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Mission and Ministry

Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, who leads The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, presides over a historic joint conference for the church’s five annual conferences, including the reunified Southern Conference. About 1,600 delegates and 2,000 observers attended the December gathering in Jalingo, Nigeria. Photo courtesy of UMCN Communications.

United Methodists in Nigeria celebrate growth, unity

With a focus on evangelism and income-generating projects, United Methodist bishop says church is thriving spiritually and economically.

General Church

Bishop Harald Rückert recites 1 John 4:20-21 during opening worship for a Feb. 6-9 meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, that brought together members of the Committee on Faith and Order, the Connectional Table, the Study of Ministry Commission and the Standing Committee on Regional Conference Matters Outside the USA (previously the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters). Rückert, who has retired after leading The United Methodist Church in Germany, chairs the standing committee that is leading the work to develop a globally relevant Book of Discipline. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Making regionalization a reality for the church

United Methodist leaders have embarked on a significant reimagining of the Book of Discipline. They also heard an update on the formation of a U.S. regional conference.

Social Concerns

The Rev. Mark Lewis, a retired United Methodist pastor who grew up in the U.S. but spent the bulk of his ministry in Denmark, shares with United Methodist leaders the impact of U.S. threats to seize Greenland on transatlantic relations. Lewis, an expert on Wesleyan mission, also is scheduled to be a panelist on the “Serve Joyfully” webinar scheduled for 9 a.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 21. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

US threats to Greenland challenge church

A United Methodist pastor from the U.S. who serves in Denmark shared the ongoing impact of U.S. aggression on international relations. He also shared what it means for the church.

Latest News

Immigration

United Methodists and other faith leaders march toward the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 25 during “Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice” in Washington. Holding the left end of the banner are United Methodist Bishops Minerva Carcaño, LaTrelle Easterling and Cynthia Moore-Koikoi. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

United Methodists lead witness for immigrants

Social Concerns

Mei Vader and her grandmother participate in “Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice” in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25, 2026. Vader is the daughter of the Rev. Stephanie Vader, pastor of Capitol Hill United Methodist Church. The church served as a host for the event. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

United Methodists take immigration concerns to DC

Church Leadership

Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe (center) and his wife, Ngole Kitete Charlotte, greet guests in front of Bethel Cascade United Methodist Church in Bangui, Central African Republic. At left is newly ordained pastor the Rev. Christ Noël Yakizi, who serves the remote village of Cantonnier on the Cameroonian border. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Central African United Methodists celebrate 33 new pastors

Mission and Ministry

The second of three webinars discussing The United Methodist Church’s new vision statement examines Wesleyan approaches to mission and the call to “serve joyfully.” Graphic courtesy of United Methodist Communications.

Commitment to serve joyfully defines church

Church Growth

The Rev. Ken Suhr, director of leadership and congregational vitality for the California-Pacific Conference, delivers the keynote address on the “DNA of Growing Churches” during the 2026 Growing Church Conference at First United Methodist Church of San Diego. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Growing Church Conference calls leaders back to discipleship

Theology and Education

Leaders of Greensboro College, a United Methodist-related school established in 1838 in Greensboro, N.C., say the college has a stronger financial foundation thanks to a partnership with Wespath and Wesleyan Impact Partners. Photo courtesy of Greensboro College.

Church connection bolsters college finances

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Local Church

The Rev. Colleen Bookter, a United Methodist, dances in New Orleans Mardi Gras parades as a member of the dance krewe Sassyracs. “There is nothing like hundreds of thousands of people in the crowd cheering you on and dancing along with you,” she said. Photo by Nkechi Chibueze, courtesy of Bookter.

Commentaries

The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera. Photo by Brian McConkey Photography, courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Viera.

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Social Concerns

The Rev. Shelby Slowey, pastor of South End United Methodist Church in Nashville explains how United Methodist Social Principles apply to current proposed legislation related to the death penalty in Tennessee. Over 200 United Methodists participated in United Methodist Day on the Hill at the Tennessee Capitol. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Churchgoers take Social Principles to lawmakers

Concerns about immigration, education and criminal justice drive a record number of United Methodists to participate in Tennessee Day on the Hill in 2026.

Faith Sharing