UM News Digest - June 11, 2025

UM News Digest - June 11, 2025

622 graduate at Africa University
Accessibility audits expand church’s welcome
What’s new in Book of Discipline?

“Africa University is not just an institution — it is a beacon. A place where purpose meets possibility. A place that believes in building a better future, brick by brick, student by student, idea by idea.” — Martha Kabaira Chikowore, keynote speaker.

Graduates celebrate during Africa University’s 31st commencement ceremony June 7 at the United Methodist institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. With 622 graduates from 20 African countries joining its alumni across the continent, the university remains true to its mantra: “Leaders are made here.” Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

Graduates celebrate during Africa University’s 31st commencement ceremony June 7 at the United Methodist institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

622 graduate at Africa University
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — More than 600 students from 20 African countries graduated at Africa University’s 31st graduation ceremony. The pan-African United Methodist institution also celebrated the attainment of inaugural degrees offered in partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary and Claflin University. Eveline Chikwanah reports.

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Mary Ellis and Steve Richardson conduct a free church disability audit. Steve is chair of the Holston Conference’s Disability Concerns Committee. Photo from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Mary Ellis and Steve Richardson conduct a free church disability audit. Photo from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Accessibility audits expand church’s welcome
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) —The United Methodist Church has taken steps toward making churches more accessible to those with disabilities. The Holston Conference is making accessibility audits a priority. Lilla Marigza has the story.

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Ask The UMC
What’s new in Book of Discipline on human sexuality?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2024 General Conference passed more changes to statements regarding human sexuality than any previous General Conference, reversing 52 years of policies that had steadily increased restrictions on LGBTQ people. A substantial number of the changes approved involved deletions of previous content, not additions of new content. The Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards offers an analysis in Part 5 of Ask The UMC’s series on “What’s new in the Book of Discipline.”
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Rio Texas Conference
Historical marker for San Antonio church
SAN ANTONIO — Jacobs Chapel United Methodist Church, the second-oldest African American United Methodist Church in the city and in the Rio Texas Conference, has been designated a Texas Historical Commission site. The church, which was established in 1895, has been a focal point for the Black community on the East Side of San Antonio for decades. Pam Ray has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Annual conference special session called
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bishop Leonard Fairley has called a special session of the South Carolina Annual Conference to be held online at 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern time Oct. 18. The session’s purpose is to review recommendations from the four Jeremiah Teams, which are looking at ways to transform how the conference is structured, how it operates and how it aligns with its stated priorities. Jessica Brodie reports.
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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.

Faith & Leadership
Reflections on Juneteenth
DURHAM, N.C. — Juneteenth on June 19 commemorates the 1865 general order that proclaimed that enslaved people in Texas were free. The Rev. Justin Coleman, senior pastor of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, believes the holiday reinforces that freedom has to be tirelessly pursued in order to get it and keep it going. “The heart of the Juneteenth story remains in many ways our story even today — freedom delayed but not denied,” Coleman writes for Duke Divinity School’s Faith & Leadership.
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Finance and Administration
Moses Kumar plans to retire in 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration, The United Methodist Church’s finance agency, announces that the Rev. Moses Kumar will retire in 2026 after more than 16 years as the agency’s top executive. To ensure a smooth leadership transition, the agency has engaged an executive search firm with extensive experience in the religious and nonprofit sectors to assist in identifying Kumar’s successor.
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UM News: Finance agency exec answers call to pulpit

United Women in Faith
UWF shoots and scores with NY Liberty game
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith will be recognized July 13 at a New York Liberty game at Barclays Center. The women’s organization will be noted as the nonprofit of the game against the Atlanta Dream. Tickets will be available from United Women in Faith until June 15. “I am thrilled to join our sisters at the New York Liberty to celebrate our shared mission of justice,” said Sally Vonner, the agency’s top executive.
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