UM News Digest - May 1, 2026

UM News Digest - May 1, 2026

Methodist prodigy became a maestro
Survey gives shape to Leadership Gathering
Hamilton to run for Senate as a Democrat

“I am praying for people’s safety, of course. But mainly I am praying for this war to stop.” — Manila Area Bishop Ruby-Nell Estrella, who also leads United Methodists in the Middle East.

The Rev. Joseph M. De Castro, pastor at First United Methodist Church in Dubai, delivers a benediction at the Hamarin Center, a venue in Daira, Dubai, that the congregation rented while places of worship in the country were temporarily closed as a safety precaution during the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Photo courtesy of the TFUMC Dubai Media Team.

Middle East United Methodists feel brunt of war
DUBAI (UM News) — Filipino United Methodists who work and worship along the Arabian Peninsula have been caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. The conflict has taken both an economic and emotional toll on church members. Heather Hahn reports.

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Charles H. Webb was much honored in Indiana for his leadership of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He found time to play organ for his local United Methodist church and to serve on The United Methodist Church’s Hymnal Revision Committee. Webb died April 13 at age 93. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Webb.

Charles H. Webb was much honored in Indiana for his leadership of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Webb.

Methodist prodigy became a maestro
DALLAS (UM News) — Charles H. Webb was a keyboard prodigy, playing organ and piano at his Dallas Methodist church as a small boy. He would go on to become longtime dean of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Webb also served on The United Methodist Church’s Hymnal Revision Committee and for decades played the organ at First United Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana. He died April 13 at age 93. Sam Hodges has an obituary.
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Survey gives shape to Leadership Gathering
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodists participating in the Leadership Gathering got a preview of what they will be working on when they meet in October. Driving the agenda are the top priorities church members identified in a denomination-wide survey offered earlier this year. Bishops stress that the gathering isn’t a decision-making body but can serve in a consultative role as the denomination rebuilds.
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Great Plains Conference
Hamilton to run for Senate as a Democrat
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of the largest United Methodist congregation in the U.S., announced April 30 that he will run for U.S. Senate, and he will do so as a Democrat. “In all 18 places, the very first question they asked was why was I not running as a Democrat,” said the pastor of Resurrection, a United Methodist church. Todd Seifert reports.
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Alabama-West Florida Conference
Wesley Foundation back at Alabama State
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Wesley Foundation will return to Alabama State University, with an official launch planned for the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. The foundation will serve as a hub for spiritual growth, mentorship and community for students seeking a supportive faith environment during their college years. “College campuses are vital mission fields, and this ministry will help nurture faith, leadership and a sense of purpose among students who will shape our communities and our church for years to come,” said Bishop L. Jonathan Holston. Alabama-West Florida Conference staff have the story.
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Mississippi Conference
Volunteers pitch in for camp cleanup
OXFORD, Miss. — Volunteers from Northern Hills District United Methodist churches took time out on a Saturday to help clear debris and make repairs at Camp Lake Stephen in Oxford. The United Methodist campground suffered damage during January’s brutal winter storm. Through their efforts, the campground is now ready to host United Methodist camps this summer. Matthew Johnson has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Keeping Find-A-Church profile up to date
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Unless your church has a website that gets regular traffic, the first search result for your church may very well be its Find-A-Church profile page. The Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards of Ask The UMC, the information service of United Methodist Communications, offers some best practices.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Fund helps Bethune-Cookman weather storms
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Rev. Albert Mosley, president of Bethune-Cookman University, said the Black College Fund is an incredible lifeline for historically Black colleges and universities. In addition to providing scholarships, the school has used the funds to replace the roof on the school’s Performing Arts Center after repeated storm damage. The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is spotlighting each of the 11 United Methodist-related HBCUs in the U.S. supported by the fund. Wendy R. Cromwell has the story.
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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.

Church and Society
‘Do not grow weary in doing what is right’
WASHINGTON — The choice of warfare over childcare and healthcare is contrary to the goal of making America great, writes Bishop Julius C. Trimble. “The world is made up of people who want to care for their families and making choices to contribute to the well-being of planet and people,” Trimble said. “To all of the millions of people who are praying for peace and not war, food for the hungry and not more missiles for the military, I say to you: Do not grow weary in doing what is right.”
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Faith and Leadership
Why Duke organization changed its name
DURHAM, N.C. — Leadership Education at Duke Divinity is now the Forum for Congregational Life. David L. Odom, the organization’s executive director, explains that there are important reasons for the name change, including a revised focus.
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