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UM News Digest - Dec. 15, 2025
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“To see the lights and hear the music and have the Scripture read (and) the story told is amazing.” — The Rev. Mona Joslyn, on Grandville United Methodist Church’s Christmas light show.
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A display behind Grandville United Methodist Church in Michigan tells the Christmas story in a 15-minute light show set to music. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.
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The Nativity story comes to life in lights
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (UM News) — Tucked behind Grandville United Methodist Church is an eye-catching light display that brings the Christmas story to life. The 15-minute show, featuring more than 6,000 twinkling lights, runs every evening from early December through Epiphany in January. Lilla Marigza has the story. |
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Bishop Minerva Carcaño (left), chair of the United Methodist Immigration Task Force, listens as the Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, top staff executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, speaks during the task force’s meeting, held Nov. 18-20 in Los Angeles. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.
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Task force responds to growing needs facing immigrants
LOS ANGELES (UM News) — The United Methodist Immigration Task Force has reorganized and issued an Advent call to the church to welcome and support migrants. “While we challenge inequitable systems, we also teach, preach and develop a theology that emphasizes God’s preferential care for marginalized communities,” said the Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. The Rev. Gustavo Vásquez reports.
Read story |
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New Hope Area
Bishop seeks prayer after Brown shooting
METHUEN, Mass. — Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, who leads the New England and New York conferences, calls on United Methodists to be in constant prayer for peace, justice and healing throughout Providence, Rhode Island, and the Brown University community following a mass shooting that killed at least two people and injured nine. He notes that many feel the same distress expressed by the psalmist in Psalm 55: “Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.”
Read statement
Bishop Easterling: Facing continued violence and death
World Council of Churches
Christian group denounces antisemitic attack
GENEVA — The Rev. Jerry Pillay, top executive for the World Council of Churches, condemned the terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia, during the Dec. 14 ceremony lighting the first candle of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. The mass shooting killed at least 15 people, ages 10 to 87. “It is particularly distressing and unacceptable that this incident occurred at the very beginning of Hanukkah, a festival that symbolizes light, faith and the resilience of a community in the face of adversity,” Pillay said.
Read statement
The Associated Press: At least 15 killed at Hanukkah event
Great Plains Conference
Pastor plays Santa at community events
NORFOLK, Neb. — When the man who played Santa Claus at Norfolk First United Methodist Church passed away last year, there was one logical choice to take over — the church’s white-bearded pastor, the Rev. Neil Gately. “It’s his alter ego,” church council chair Deb Beutler said with a laugh. Gately also will be playing Santa at the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos game on Christmas night. David Burke has the story.
Read story |
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Global Ministries
Increased support for migration ministries in 2025
ATLANTA — Most years, the United Methodist Committee on Relief has a budget for global migration grants of about $1 million to respond to the needs of migrants. This year, almost $6.3 million, in 226 grants, will be dispersed in support of migrants around the world — from Ukraine and Gaza to the U.S. “We are living in a time of unprecedented displacement, and the call to respond cannot wait,” said Roland Fernandes, top executive of UMCOR and the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
What regionalization means for Africans
KINSHASA, Congo — The United Methodist Church took a historic step with the ratification of regionalization, a set of constitutional amendments that fundamentally redraws the governance of the global denomination. For Africa, this institutional transformation embodies a long-awaited recognition of the continent’s autonomy, ecclesial maturity and capacity to define its own missionary and pastoral directions. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has an analysis.
Read analysis
Daily Herald
Nativity sets displayed from around globe
OSWEGO, Ill. — Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist in suburban Chicago hosted its 21st annual exhibit of Nativity sets from around the world on Dec. 5. The display and a United Women in Faith chili and pie supper are a highlight of Oswego’s annual Christmas walk. Al Benson has the story.
Read story and see photos |
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| UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff. |
Status and Role of Women
Exploring the forgotten women in Jesus’ genealogy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This Advent season, United Methodists are likely to hear or read the genealogy of Jesus, whether studying Matthew or Luke. The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, encourages church members to light a candle and read the matrilineal heritage of Jesus as they consider all the women who have gone unnamed and yet have in some way borne Christ to our world.
Read commentary
United Methodist Insight
Publication goes on sabbatical
MESQUITE, Texas — Cynthia B. Astle, who founded United Methodist Insight 14 years ago as a free, web-based weekly news and opinion journal “where people who are shut out of mainstream United Methodist discussions could have a voice,” has suspended its publication due to lost funding. Announcing her retirement and an indefinite “sabbatical” for the publication, Astle looks back on its distinguished, progressive history and hers as a United Methodist journalist.
Read commentary
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Oregon-Idaho Conference
Churches plan Christmas Eve at ICE facility
PORTLAND, Ore. — Pastors of EPIC (East Portland In Connexion), a group of United Methodist churches in southeastern Portland, plan to hold two peaceful Christmas Eve services at the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility at 2 and 11 p.m. U.S. Pacific time Dec. 24. These services will include Scripture, carols, prayer and candlelight.
Learn more |
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Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News
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Artificial tree farm brings joy to families with special needs
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File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
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Broadcast network marks decade of amplifying Gospel
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