UM News Digest - Dec 3 2025

UM News Digest - Dec. 3, 2025

Øyvind Helliesen mourned as ‘sage’ amid tumult
Giving international students a taste of Thanksgiving
Bishops share Advent message

“(The Rev. Øyvind Helliesen) was knowledgeable, wise, prudent and faithful. He loved The United Methodist Church and did all in his power to help it flourish.” — The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, a fellow Judicial Council member.

The Rev. Øyvind Helliesen, a member of The United Methodist Church’s top court since 2016, died Nov. 25, 2025. At the time of his death, he was the Judicial Council’s vice president. Photo by Kristine Helliesen.

Øyvind Helliesen mourned as ‘sage’ amid tumult
SELLEBAKK, Norway (UM News) — The Rev. Øyvind Helliesen served on The United Methodist Church’s top court from 2016 until his passing at age 69. During his tenure, he provided crucial guidance at a time of division and disaffiliations. United Methodist leaders around the globe say they will miss his calm demeanor and wisdom. Heather Hahn has an obituary.

Read obituary

Students receive a Thanksgiving dinner prepared and served by members of First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville, Kansas, and staff from Coffeyville Community College. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Giving international students a taste of Thanksgiving
COFFEYVILLE, Kan. (UM News) — Coffeyville First United Methodist Church offers food and fellowship to college students who can’t travel home for the holidays. Church members partner with the community college next door to provide a home-cooked meal on Thanksgiving Day. For some international students, this is a first experience with the traditions of this U.S. holiday. Lilla Marigza has the story.
Watch video

Council of Bishops
Bishops share Advent message
WASHINGTON — As the sacred season of Advent begins, the Council of Bishops urges all United Methodists to embrace the denomination’s new vision in preparing their hearts for the coming of Christ. The vision statement reminds churchgoers: “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
Read Council of Bishops statement

South Carolina Conference
New ministry helps churches aid homeless families
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Churches in South Carolina’s Upstate are working together to open their doors and their hearts to families experiencing homelessness in Spartanburg County. Members of one host, St. Paul United Methodist Church, report that they are also seeing their lives changed by A Way Home, the newly launched program. Jessica Brodie has the story.
Read story

Upper New York Conference
Bishop responds to pastor’s transition
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — On Nov. 23, the Rev. Phil Phaneuf announced to the congregation at North Chili United Methodist Church outside of Rochester that she is transgender and beginning her transition. “I’m not becoming a woman but giving up pretending to be a man,” she said. Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez affirms her ministry and servant leadership, celebrating the gifts she continues to share with the church and wider community.
Read bishop’s statement

Ask The UMC
How Advent readings differ each year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explores how the Advent Scripture readings vary but also maintain certain common themes as Christians prepare to celebrate Christ’s arrival. As United Methodists and other Christians begin a new Christian year and a new lectionary cycle with the Gospel of Matthew, the Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards explains what to expect with each Sunday’s reading.
Read story

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.

United Methodist Men, Status and Role of Women
Why United Methodists must reach young men
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Leaders of United Methodist Men and the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women have each issued statements jointly affirming the church’s need to reach young men with the Gospel message that does not silence women. “If we fail to engage this generation of young men with the true message of Jesus… we risk ceding the next chapter of American Christianity to ideologies that thrive on division and fear,” writes the Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig of the Status and Role of Women.
Read United Methodist Men statement
Read Status and Role of Women statement

Mainstream UMC
Goals met, advocacy group shuts doors
CHICAGO — With the overwhelming ratification of worldwide regionalization, the board of the advocacy group Mainstream UMC announced that its work is done and it is shutting down. The board also announced that it voted unanimously to entrust the group’s remaining assets to Reconciling Ministries Network, which advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ church members.
Read press release
UM News: LGBTQ advocates aim to build on 2024 gains