UM News Digest - Feb. 9, 2026

UM News Digest - Feb. 9, 2026

Decision on ‘sensitive location’ policy coming
United Methodist school brings Olympic glory
Campus ministry helps neighbor stay in US

“People are afraid to go to their church, to worship, to be together in community, to pick up food. … I'm aware of congregations that limited their community celebrations around the holidays because they were worried that there might be ICE enforcement.” — The Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez, executive director of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers chase Carlos Chavez, a Mexico-born member of North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission in Los Angeles, on Jan. 29 on church property. Chavez was deported shortly thereafter. The ICE raid disrupted a food ministry and mothers and children working in the church garden. Photo courtesy of North Hills Hispanic Mission United Methodist Church.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers chase Carlos Chavez (not pictured), a Mexico-born member of North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission in Los Angeles, on Jan. 29 on church property. Photo courtesy of North Hills Hispanic Mission United Methodist Church.

Decision on ‘sensitive location’ policy coming
WASHINGTON (UM News) — As a Los Angeles United Methodist church reels from a recent raid by ICE that led to the quick deportation of one of its members, attorneys for churches and synagogues argued at a Washington appeals court hearing that the federal memo that led to the raid should be struck down. Jim Patterson reports.

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Athletes with Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Center practice cross-country skiing ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The United Methodist-related university in Anchorage, Alaska, has a tradition of sending cross-country skiers to the Olympics going back to 1972. Photo courtesy of APU Nordic Ski Center.

Athletes with Alaska Pacific University’s Nordic Ski Center practice cross-country skiing ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo courtesy of APU Nordic Ski Center.

United Methodist school brings Olympic glory
TESERO, Italy (UM News) — Alaska Pacific University, a small college with strong United Methodist ties, is sending nine cross-country skiers to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. The university also has a particular focus on serving Alaska Native students. Heather Hahn has the story.
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California-Nevada Conference
Campus ministry helps neighbor stay in US
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kin-dom House, a campus ministry at Sacramento State University and an outreach program of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, is among the organizations that have rallied around Ricky Bornales, a Filipino migrant. Bornales has received protection from deportation under the Convention Against Torture but has still been at risk of deportation under the Trump administration. Nathaniel Roque, Celin Corpuz, Max Zarzuela and the Rev. Fel S. Cao share how collaboration helped Bornales through a successful check-in with federal officials.
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United Methodist Communications
How does the appointment process work?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the first installment of “Ask The UMC Shorts,” the Rev. Taylor Burton Edwards explains the denomination’s clergy appointment process, including the ways vacancies in church appointments are filled as well as the critical roles of the annual conference and local church leadership in the process. "Ask The UMC Shorts" is a collection of brief videos answering frequently asked questions about The United Methodist Church.
Watch video

Baltimore-Washington Conference
A pickleball ministry
RANDALLSTOWN, Md. — A new book, “Sweet Days of Pickleball,” chronicles the Pickleball ministry at Mount Olive United Methodist Church. It began as a small initiative and quickly blossomed into a community with over 300 members in just over two and a half years. The Mount Olive Pickleball program welcomes players of all ages and backgrounds, and quickly became a supportive and inclusive community. Cynthia Taylor has the story.
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Encore Ministry Foundation
20 churches get food security grants
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist churches across Tennessee and a community development corporation are getting $20,000 grants to strengthen food distribution ministries serving older adults. The $100,000 in grant money was awarded by the ENCORE Ministry Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on ministry by, for and with older adults in Christian communities. ENCORE created the grants as a response to reductions in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “When others are focused on youth within churches, we’re finding our stride to engage the gifts and talents of older adults,” said John Rivas, executive director of ENCORE.
Read press release with list of grant recipients

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.

Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
When we became a we: Finding community in a storm
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the aftermath of Nashville's ice storm when many homes and facilities still lacked power, four congregations gathered at West End United Methodist Church for worship, food and fellowship. Tom Lee reflects on how crisis can isolate us, but through shared hymns, communion and connection, strangers became “we.”
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