UM News Digest - Jan. 14, 2026

UM News Digest - Jan. 14, 2026

Pastor prepares to step into N.J. elected office
Church in Germany plants seeds of hope
ICE activity reported around church

“I’ve loved being a college president and a pastor; so, I never expected to do this. But as I look at my history, somehow it seems like God and the universe have called me to play a role here.” — The Rev. Dale Caldwell, on becoming New Jersey’s lieutenant governor.

The Rev. Dale Caldwell greets a family on the campaign trail in Burlington, N.J. Caldwell, a United Methodist pastor, becomes New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and secretary of state on Jan. 20. Photo courtesy of the Mikie Sherrill for Governor Campaign.

The Rev. Dale Caldwell greets a family on the campaign trail in Burlington, N.J. Photo courtesy of the Mikie Sherrill for Governor Campaign.

Pastor prepares to step into N.J. elected office
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (UM News) — When the Rev. Dale Caldwell, a United Methodist pastor, becomes New Jersey’s lieutenant governor on Jan. 20, he will make history as the Garden State’s first man in that role. He also will serve as secretary of state. Caldwell cites his family’s history of public service as inspiration for his own and said he hopes “to be a voice for all people and all communities” in the state. John W. Coleman reports.

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Peter Krüger plants an apple tree at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Jürgen, where the United Methodist congretation in Flensburg, Germany, meets. The tree planting is part of the “Hope on the Way” campaign initiated by United Methdodist Bishop Werner Philipp (standing at left), who leads the Germany Regional Conference. Photo by Isabel Philipp.

Peter Krüger plants an apple tree at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Jürgen, where the United Methodist congregation in Flensburg, Germany, meets. The tree planting is part of the “Hope on the Way” campaign initiated by United Methodist Bishop Werner Philipp (standing at left), who leads the Germany Regional Conference. Photo by Isabel Philipp.

Church in Germany plants seeds of hope
FLENSBURG, Germany (UM News) — Germany Regional Conference Bishop Werner Philipp has launched an initiative titled “Hope on the Way,” which is rooted in the everyday life of local congregations. Philipp will visit churches in his three conferences for the next several years. At every stop, an apple tree will be planted — a sign of faithfulness, patience and God’s hidden work. Michael Löffler has the story.
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Minnesota Conference
ICE activity reported around church
MINNEAPOLIS — Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 13 surrounded Park Avenue United Methodist Church just blocks from where Renee Good was killed. Peaceful protesters also were on the scene. After two hours, ICE agents deployed chemical irritants to disperse the crowd, affecting the Rev. Dan Johnson and other church staff. Reid Baumann has the story.
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UM News: Churches respond to federal violence

Missouri Conference
Congregation tackles weekly acts of kindness
SEDALIA, Mo. — The congregation of Wesley United Methodist Church is pledging to do random acts of kindness throughout 2026. Each week at worship, the Rev. Dawn Gerard, pastor of Wesley, will select a kindness activity from cards prepared by the Reach International Outfitters Kindness Bucket List. Missouri Conference staff have the story.
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St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Megachurch pastor makes plans to retire
INDIANAPOLIS — In a video, the Rev. Rob Fuquay announced plans to retire July 1, 2027, as senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. He said the 18-month timeline is intentional, allowing a thorough search for the church’s sixth senior pastor while ensuring a healthy, transparent transition. St. Luke’s is one of the largest United Methodist churches in the U.S., and the largest in Indiana.
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South Carolina Conference
Ministry launches expansion of Guatemalan hospital
QUETZALTENANGO, Guatemala — Dr. Luke Rhyee, a South Carolina elder who founded Healing Guatemala, said the ministry is embarking on a plan to extend Hospital Bethesda. Rhyee said this project is essential for Bethesda to serve more people with improved quality of service. Jessica Brodie reports.
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World Council of Churches
Praying for peace in Greenland
NUUK, Greenland — Amid renewed threats by the Trump administration against Denmark and the autonomous Greenland government, Lutheran Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk of Greenland spoke with the World Council of Churches about her prayers for peace in 2026. “This is a question of human rights, dignity and respecting international laws and treaties,” she said. Her prayer comes as United Methodist leaders from across the denomination prepare to meet in February in Denmark.
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Wesleyan Impact Partners
Lilly grant boosts faith storytelling campaign
AUSTIN, Texas — Wesleyan Impact Partners, a U.S. nonprofit that invests in ministries nationwide, has received a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life 2025. The grant will support “All the Good You Can,” a national storytelling campaign designed to surface and share authentic stories of Christian faith that reach people who feel disconnected from organized religion.
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Texas Methodist Foundation
68 ministries receive foundation grants
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Methodist Foundation has awarded $920,000 in grant funding to 68 churches and nonprofit ministries across Texas and New Mexico. Selected as part of the foundation’s Fall 2025 grant cycle, these life-giving ministries are cultivating ecosystems of generosity and improving the lives of those living in poverty.
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Religion Communicators Council
RCC Convention set for April
CINCINNATI — The Religion Communicators Council will hold its 2026 convention April 16-18 in Cincinnati, with the theme: “Coming Together: Charting Our Course.” Early bird rates are available until Feb. 28. Entries also are being accepted for the DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards, which recognize excellence in religious communications and public relations. The deadline to enter is Jan. 31.
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