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UM News Digest - May 23, 2025
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Bishop Hee-Soo Jung (second from left) and leaders from the Ohio Episcopal Area visit Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery on April 23 in Seoul, South Korea, for the unveiling ceremony of a memorial stone honoring missionaries William Scranton and his mother, Mary Scranton, who are buried in the cemetery. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.
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Ohio leaders mark 140 years of Korean mission
SEOUL, South Korea (UM News) — On a pilgrimage to South Korea, United Methodist leaders drew inspiration and insight from the lives of early missionaries Mary Scranton and William Scranton. The visit amounted to a “spiritual awakening,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, who led a delegation from the Ohio Episcopal Area. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story. |
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Great Plains Conference
Bishop, pastor deal with tornado’s wreckage
GRINNELL, Kan. — Growing up in Oklahoma, Bishop David Wilson knew all about the effect of tornadoes. But he is still amazed by the power of such storms. He joined United Methodist volunteers in bringing relief after an EF3 tornado, with up to 130 mph winds, leveled 40 homes. Among those who lost homes was the Rev. Missy Byerly, pastor of Grinnell United Methodist Church. David Burke reports.
Read story
Ask The UMC
Explainer: Voting on constitutional amendments
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists gathering at their annual conferences worldwide will share at least one common task this year: voting on whether to ratify four sets of constitutional amendments approved by the 2024 General Conference. Ask The UMC shares details on what to expect during and after annual conference.
Read story
UM News: Church constitutional amendments head to vote
Minnesota Conference
Spreading joy with bread and coffee
MORA, Minn. — Each Wednesday, bread and coffee help Mora United Methodist Church reach out to the community. In the morning, the Rev. Dean Roush, pastor of the church, sparks conversations with passersby outside of Mora Bakery, some of them tempted by the free cup of coffee the church provides. Then later the same day in their parking lot, the church gives away unsold bread and pastries from a local store. “It’s about moving our hearts to be more like Christ,” Roush said. Christa Meland reports.
Read story
Baltimore-Washington Conference
Conference uses Lilly grant to reach children
FULTON, Md. — The Baltimore-Washington Conference has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish a ministry to help churches creatively and fully integrate children, ages 3-12, into weekly worship experiences. This initiative, called the Constellation Project, is designed to transform how children engage in worship and prayer. Conference staff report.
Read story |
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Global Ministries
UMCOR awards $2 million to support migrants
ATLANTA — More than $2 million in grants were awarded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief to help support immigrants and refugees. The grants, both around $1 million, will go to Immigration Law and Justice Network and Church World Service. Immigration Law and Justice Network supports 19 immigration legal service sites across the U.S. that operate on a low- to no-cost basis. Church World Service will use its grant to expand humanitarian aid and refugee resettlement efforts.
Read press release
United Methodist Communications
Thank you for your support
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Because of readers like you, UM News surpassed our World Press Freedom Day goal. Together we raised more than $11,000 — fueling fair, faithful and free United Methodist reporting that shares stories of mission, ministry and justice from every corner of our denomination. Thank you for standing with UM News. Haven’t donated yet? It’s not too late to make a difference.
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Church and Society
Agency releases four position papers
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has released four position statements to accompany the pastoral letters on justice matters released by the Council of Bishops in May. The position papers highlight the United Methodist stance on issues based on the denomination’s Social Principles.
See position papers
See bishops’ letters
United Methodist Communications
Peace with Justice Sunday set for June 15
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Resources are available to help celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday on June 15. The United Methodist Church uses this day to speak out for peace and justice. Half of the funds raised on this Special Sunday stay within the annual conference to enhance and support local social justice ministries. The other 50% supports national and international peacemaking ministries and grants.
Learn more
See resources |
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Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News
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United Methodist ‘sisters’ blend Christian traditions
LIMÓN, Honduras (UM News) — United Methodist laywomen Beth Blodgett and Prairie Cutting arrived on the Caribbean coast of Central America nearly two decades ago, determined to start a new spiritual community in a remote corner of Honduras. They long ago became Sister Alegría and Sister Confianza, and the monastery they founded blends Methodist and Quaker traditions with a commitment to live in poverty. Paul Jeffrey has their story and photos.
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Photo by the Rev. Katie Nix, Grace UMC, courtesy of the Missouri Conference
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Churchgoers respond to deadly US twisters
ST. LOUIS (UM News) — United Methodists are responding to a storm system that spawned deadly tornadoes and floods across the U.S. A church near St. Louis is providing shelter and pastoral support after an EF3 tornado struck. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is processing grants for multiple conferences. United Methodist leaders have suggestions on how people can help. Heather Hahn reports.
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Photo by Jérôme Ndayisenga, UM News
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Church supports flood survivors in Burundi
CIBITOKE, Burundi (UM News) — With financial support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the church has distributed food and other supplies to hundreds of flood survivors in northwestern Burundi. The homes of some 70 United Methodists were damaged, along with seven United Methodist churches. Jérôme Ndayisenga reports.
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Caralyn Ware. Photo courtesy of the author
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Commentary: Addiction and clergy wellness
DENVER (UM News) — Clergy struggling with addiction often face isolation, silence and lack of institutional support, writes Caralyn Ware, a clinical research professional and certified candidate for elder in the Mountain Sky Conference. “Creating space for clergy wellness is not peripheral to our mission. It is central to it.”
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