UM News Digest - March 18, 2026

UM News Digest - March 18, 2026

Church merger results in win-win-win-win
United Methodists defend deaconess, drug war victims
Conference returns chapel, land to tribe

“I would just really love to see what could happen if other churches were to give generously to our racial minority churches and to our smaller churches, where vital ministry is happening.” — The Rev. Ben Sloan, pastor of Sherwood Forrest United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Members of Marvin United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., pose during a bowling outing. Marvin United Methodist received a $100,000 grant from neighboring Sherwood Forest United Methodist Church to help make repairs on its building. Photo courtesy of Marvin United Methodist Church.

Church merger results in win-win-win-win
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (UM News) — In North Carolina, United Methodists are making good things happen from an unhappy decline in membership in two of its churches. Wesley Memorial United Methodist and Burkhead United Methodist have joined forces to make one strong church, Sherwood Forrest United Methodist. And that revitalized church is granting some of the money from the sale of the extraneous building to two ethnic minority United Methodist churches in the area. Jim Patterson has the story.

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(From left) United Methodist Deaconess Rubylin G. Litao, Nay Llore Pasco, a leader of the Rise Up for Life and for Rights network, and lawyer Krissi Conti hold a banner with the faces of victims of the Philippine drug war during a Feb. 25 rally outside the International Criminal Court at The Hague in the Netherlands. Photo courtesy of Rubylin Litao.

United Methodists defend deaconess, drug war victims
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — A United Methodist commission has issued a statement condemning the spread of disinformation against Deaconess Rubylin G. Litao and families of victims of the Philippine drug war. Litao serves as coordinator for Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a network of families of victims and human rights advocates pursuing justice and accountability for killings carried out during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
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Great Plains Conference
Conference returns chapel, land to tribe
KANSAS CITY, Kan. —   For members of the Kansas Delaware Tribe of Indians, it was a moment 156 years in the making. In a March 12 ceremony, the Grinter Chapel building and the land surrounding it, including a one-acre adjacent cemetery, were returned to the tribe from the Great Plains Conference, which contributed $325,000 for repairs and upgrades. David Burke has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Where do apportionment dollars go?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the second installment of “Ask The UMC Shorts,” the Rev. Taylor Burton Edwards explains how apportioned funds are used for ministry. “Ask The UMC Shorts” is a collection of brief videos answering frequently asked questions about The United Methodist Church.
Watch video

Baltimore-Washington Conference
Faithful resistance spreads across Northeast
WASHINGTON — While hundreds gathered in the U.S. capital for “Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice,” United Methodists across the Northeastern Jurisdiction joined the movement in another powerful way. United Methodists often speak of discipleship as active and embodied. On this day, that conviction stretched across state lines and conference boundaries. Northeastern Jurisdiction communicators have the story.
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UM News: United Methodists lead witness for immigrants

Camp & Retreat Ministries
Camping association starts research project
PHILADELPHIA — The United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries has embarked on a significant new research initiative, funded by a grant through Discipleship Ministries, that builds upon the association’s 2022 study measuring the faith-formation impact of United Methodist camp experiences. This year’s research will assess growth over time to guide the denomination’s disciple-making efforts in the camp ministry setting.
Read press release
Read 2022 report

Wespath
Benefits agency announces award winners
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Wespath, The United Methodist Church’s benefits and investment agency, honored two United Methodist leaders during its recent board of directors meeting. Feliza “Liz” Mariano, chair of the Philippines Regional Conference Board of Pensions, received the 2025 Charles L. Calkins Award, which recognizes leadership in benefits administration. The Rev. Ed Tomlinson of the North Georgia Conference received the Clay F. Lee Award, which honors former Wespath board members.
Read press release