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UM News Digest - April 29, 2026
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“I see the role as facilitating the best possible experience for General Conference delegates and all others involved in General Conference.” — Emily Allen, the newly named interim secretary of General Conference.
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Emily Allen, a veteran lay delegate from the California-Nevada Conference, delivers a report during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. on May 3, 2024. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.
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Bishops elect interim General Conference head
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UM News) — The Council of Bishops on April 29 elected Emily Allen to lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly. The lay member from California brings to the role of interim General Conference secretary experience as a General Conference delegate and leader in many denominational roles. She follows the Rev. Aleze Fulbright, who starting July 1 will take an appointment in her home Indiana Conference. Heather Hahn reports. |
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Retired professor Jin Kwan Kwon (left) and Vanderbilt University professor Joerg Rieger discuss Minjung theology — a liberation theology that emerged in the 1970s in South Korea — during a lecture March 31 at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.
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Minjung theology offers lessons for today
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Where does theology begin? In doctrine and tradition, or in the lived experiences of people? That question stood at the center of a lecture delivered by Jin Kwan Kwon, a retired professor of the Anglican University in Seoul, South Korea, at Vanderbilt Divinity School, where he invited listeners to reconsider theology not as an abstract discipline but as something born out of suffering, struggle and story. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
Read story |
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Louisiana Conference
Helping in the aftermath of shooting
SHREVEPORT, La. — When eight children were killed in a tragic April 19 shooting in Shreveport, Asbury United Methodist Church sprang into action. The response began with providing lunch for teachers and administrators at Linwood Public Charter School, where five of the children were students. It expanded to delivering ice cream to affected classrooms and writing notes of encouragement to every student, teacher and administrator. Todd Rossnagel has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Celebrating World Press Freedom Day
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 to remind people that a free press matters. Started by the United Nations, the day focuses on the importance of letting journalists report the news without censorship or fear. As the official news-gathering agency for The United Methodist Church, UM News reports on the denomination and tells the stories of God’s work in the world with integrity and independence. In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, reporter Lilla Marigza spotlights the UM News correspondents who keep the church informed, connected and inspired.
Learn more and watch video
Missouri Conference
Green Team ministry makes church beautiful
SEDALIA, Mo. — The Green Team at First United Methodist Church makes church life more beautiful with flowers and plants grown in two of its own greenhouses. “The main mission is to grow plants to decorate the church,” said Judy Page, a member of the Green Team. “But other than that, it’s fellowship.” Caitlin Sullivan has the story.
Read story |
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Global Ministries, Higher Education and Ministry
Meeting spotlights mission, unity
NAIROBI, Kenya — The United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry celebrated mission, ministry and strengthened partnerships during their joint meeting April 8-10 in the East Africa Episcopal Area. Global Ministries’ work in the region had been suspended for more than a dozen years before restoring relationships more than three years ago. East Africa Bishop Daniel Wandabula described the meeting as a deeply encouraging and spirit-filled gathering. Beyond the formal business sessions, participants visited partner sites including a ribbon-cutting for a health center’s new borehole well and a Yambasu Agriculture Initiative project.
Read press release |
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Religion and Race
Navigating neurodivergence in ministry
WASHINGTON — The gifts of neurodivergent people in ministry often go unrecognized, such as their ability to think creatively and lead courageously because of their compassion for communities experiencing marginalization. “Neurodivergent” is a non-medical term describing people whose brains function, learn and process information different. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race offers a pastoral reflection and guide for clergy serving in cross-racial and cross-cultural ministry who are navigating neurodivergence in ministry leadership.
Read story |
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Screen shot courtesy of the Council of Bishops via Facebook by UM News
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Bishops urged to stop looking backward
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File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News
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Church court overturns bishop funding structure
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