UM News Digest - May 6, 2026

UM News Digest - May 6, 2026

Faith and democracy | Pharis Harvey obituary | Aid for refugees

“Our allegiance is to the reign of God. When asked to identify ourselves, our first response should always be, ‘I’m a child of God.’” — Bishop LaTrelle M. Easterling, as part of a panel on Christian faith and democracy.

An illustration shows Wesley Chapel, built in 1768 and located in downtown Manhattan. The chapel was the first meeting house of John Street United Methodist Church, the New York City church that grew out of the first Methodist Society in North America and still worships near Wall Street today. The church played a role in balancing civic responsibility in the early days of the U.S. republic and faithfulness to God. Photo courtesy of John Street United Methodist Church.

As US 250th nears, bishops discuss democracy
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (UM News) — United Methodist bishops and scholars from around the world examined Christian faith and democracy at the spring Council of Bishops meeting. The panel discussions came as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, and democracy faces threats around the world. Heather Hahn reports.

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Watch panels online
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The Rev. Pharis Harvey, former executive director of the North American Coalition for Human Rights in Korea, speaks at the International Solidarity for Democracy seminar hosted by the Korea Democracy Foundation at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, in 2016. Photo courtesy of the Korea Democracy Foundation, Mindle News.

Remembering a global human rights advocate
SEOUL, Korea (UM News) — The Rev. Pharis Harvey, a United Methodist pastor, missionary and internationally respected human rights advocate, helped bring global attention to South Korea’s pro-democracy movement. Though he was an ordained elder, he devoted his life to a ministry that extended far beyond the pulpit. Harvey died April 16 at age 91. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has an obituary.
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Bishop João Sambo of Mozambique (right) and Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera of Burundi (center) distribute cans of vegetable oil at the Musenyi camp in Burundi. Photo courtesy of the communications department of the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area.

Church supports Congolese refugees in Burundi
BUJUMBURA, Burundi (UM News) — The United Methodist Church, with funding from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is providing humanitarian aid to more than 22,000 refugees from Congo living at the Musenyi camp in Burundi. In addition to food, the church distributed reusable feminine hygiene kits, medicine and clothing. Twelve United Methodist bishops visited the camp and encouraged the refugees not to lose hope. Igiraneza Arcade and Chadrack Tambwe Londe report.
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Minnesota Conference
Faith-related art displayed at church
MINNEAPOLIS — One of the finest collections of religious art in the U.S. is displayed in a United Methodist church. The artwork at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church spans from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Much of it was donated by T.B. Walker, one of the pioneers of Minneapolis and a longtime member at Hennepin Avenue. Reid Baumann has the story.
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West Ohio Conference
Stoles laud church inclusiveness
WORTHINGTON, Ohio — The Rev. Rebeka Maples found a way to celebrate The United Methodist Church changing its stance on inclusiveness. The 2024 General Conference removed denomination-wide bans targeting LGBTQ individuals. Maples designed and created 80 stoles featuring sacred images in rainbow colors, to symbolize diversity, equity and inclusion. She gifted the stoles to the Rev. Angie Cox, who will become the first out lesbian ordained as an elder in full connection in West Ohio since the new legislation took effect. Maples will make gifts of the stoles to supporters who aided her ordination journey. West Ohio Conference staff have the story.
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Global Ministries
Church becomes beacon in community
ATLANTA — Not so long ago, the food pantry at Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, fed five people a month. Today it serves 9,000 families a year and offers a clinic, services to the unhoused, HIV testing, prison re-entry, court programming and mental health counseling. A grant from the Community Developers Program of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries played a part in the expansion. Christie R. House reports.
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North Carolina Conference
Douglas Ward to lead agency’s data services
GARNER, N.C. — After 23 years leading information technology for the North Carolina Conference, Douglas Ward on June 1 will start a new role leading data services for the denomination’s General Council on Finance and Administration. Ward is also continuing as head of IT for General Conference.
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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
Face adversity with hope, love
WASHINGTON — Amid suffering and injustice, United Methodists are called to stand for hope in the face of adversity, change in the face of fear and love in the face of hate, writes Jessica M. Smith, senior executive director of research, planning and spiritual formation at the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. “Acts of social witness, intimate dialogue with one another on difficult issues and speaking our convictions in the world are practices that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can be channels of God’s grace,” she said.
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