UM News Digest - Aug 20 2025

UM News Digest - Aug. 20, 2025

Members rallied to save church after Katrina
Studio helps choir spread God’s message
New church offers room to breathe

“This church was bonded together before Katrina hit so we were predisposed to come back and redo what we once had.” — Lee Happe, member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in New Orleans.

Sunlight streams through the stained-glass windows as the choir sings during worship at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in New Orleans in July 2025. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Members rallied to save church after Katrina
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — When the waters released by Hurricane Katrina finally receded, members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church came back to see their beloved church torn apart and covered in mud. Twenty years after the storm, church members talked about their comeback and the joy they feel worshipping in their church again. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story, and Mike DuBose has photos in UM News’ Hope Beyond the Storm series.

Read story

E. Dwight Franklin helps with the gutting of his parents’ home in New Orleans six months after Hurricane Katrina. Virginia Tech student Ivy Gorman (background) was part of a team from her school working through the Louisiana United Methodist Storm Recovery Center during their spring vacation. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

Acolyte Andersen Meyer lights the altar candles at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Riding to safety on a prayer
NEW ORLEANS (UM News) — When it became necessary to leave their New Orleans home following Hurricane Katrina, a United Methodist couple found a way out by driving their van down railroad tracks to Baton Rouge. Kathy L. Gilbert has their story.

Read story

Studio helps choir spread God’s message
LUBUMBASHI, Congo (UM News) — Jerusalem United Methodist Church’s choir is making music and amplifying the church’s message through a new recording studio. The New Covenant United Methodist Choir, one of the oldest and most respected choirs in the region, raised nearly $50,000 to build the modern recording studio and rehearsal space that will benefit members, the community and church ministries. Jenovic Mandandj has the story.

Read story

Éliane Muland and Esther Mwinkeu, members of the New Covenant United Methodist Choir, record music at a new church studio in Manika, Congo. The choir’s members raised money to build the new studio and a rehearsal room that can be rented out to community groups. The income will support the ministries of the choir’s home church, Jerusalem United Methodist. Photo by Jenovic Mandandj, UM News.

Éliane Muland and Esther Mwinkeu, members of the New Covenant United Methodist Choir, record music at a new church studio in Manika, Congo. Photo by Jenovic Mandandj, UM News.

South Georgia Conference
New church offers room to breathe
VIENNA, Ga. — If you walk into St. Paul Chapel on a Sunday morning, you’ll notice something right away: People aren’t just attending church — they’re exhaling. There’s laughter at the door, hugs between pews, music that doesn’t mind breaking the rules a little, and a joy that feels like a deep breath after a long, hard season. The Rev. Stephanie Smith reports.
Read story

New England Conference
Flood recovery continues in Vermont
CABOT, Vt. — Two years after devastating floods in Vermont, The United Methodist Church continues to contribute to recovery efforts. The work is supported by a nearly $400,000 grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to fund critical home repairs and case management services. The goal is to assist between 60 and 120 households through 2025. Benjamin Musasizi has the story.
Read story

United Methodist Communications
Haven’t been to church lately? You’re missed
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Going to church on Sunday becomes a habit. When that habit is interrupted by a pandemic or life challenges, it can be difficult to step back in. Laura Buchanan has some tips on how to ease back into the activities of church. She also offers advice on how to let church friends know you miss them and to invite them to come back.
Read story

CityView
Camp for at-risk kids wraps its first year
PARKTON, N.C. — Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, part of the North Carolina Conference’s United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, has just completed Camp HEAL. Using funds from national opioid settlements, the free day camp offers therapies and recreation activities to elementary and middle schoolers. Morgan Casey reports.
Read story

Discipleship Ministries
Budgeting for music in worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A free Zoom seminar on Aug. 26 will teach how to approach budgeting for music and worship arts ministry. The webinar is set for noon U.S. Central time and will be led by the Rev. Ken Sloane, director of stewardship and generosity, and Lisa Hancock, director of worship arts.
Learn more
Register

Candler School of Theology
Public lectures examine Christian nationalism
ATLANTA — In a time when Christian nationalism is gaining both cultural and political traction, United Methodist-related Candler School of Theology is hosting a set of four public lectures Sept. 24-25 to help pastors and church leaders respond faithfully to the growing movement. Speakers include Tim Alberta, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Katherine Stewart and Matthew D. Taylor. The lectures are free both in-person and online.
Learn more