UM News Digest - Nov. 3, 2025

UM News Digest - Nov. 3, 2025

Amid shutdown, bishops called to moral witness
How 2 small Florida churches rebuilt
Helping Hurricane Melissa survivors

“The Church exists to embody God’s Kingdom, not human systems of power. Bold, Spirit-led leadership transforms lives, dismantles injustice and reveals to the world who Christ really is.” — Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone, in her address to fellow bishops.

Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone delivers her presidential address at the opening of the council’s online fall meeting on Nov. 3. Malone called on her fellow bishops to “lead faithfully, courageously and intentionally” during challenging times. Screenshot photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops Facebook page.

Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone delivers her presidential address at the opening of the council’s online fall meeting on Nov. 3. Screenshot photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops Facebook page.

Amid shutdown, bishops called to moral witness
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone urged her fellow bishops to “embody the radical love of Jesus” at a time when Jesus’ name is being misused to justify hate, division and threats to human dignity. Malone opened the bishops’ online fall meeting as a U.S. government shutdown enters its sixth week. Heather Hahn reports.

Read story

Florida Conference
How 2 small Florida churches rebuilt
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The people of two small congregations in the Florida panhandle refused to buckle after disaffiliation rocked their original houses of worship. Abundant Grace United Methodist Church at Rocky Springs and Open Hearts United Methodist Church are both a mission of Tallahassee’s Trinity United Methodist Church, which provides support while the two new churches become more established. Joe Henderson has the story.
Read story

Dakotas Conference
Working on Wesley’s words
MITCHELL, S.D. — A retired Dakota Conference elder is working on a project to produce a comprehensive and critical edition of John Wesley’s writings. The Rev. Randy Maddox said Wesley’s sermons are already on the Wesley Works Project website, and they will be followed by his other works. “Eventually, you will be able to go to the website and make specific requests like, 'Show me everywhere John Wesley used this word, or referred to this Bible verse,'” Maddox said. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
Learn more

Michigan Conference
United Methodist camp closes
MICHIGAMME, Mich.— After 104 years, a United Methodist camp will close its doors due to declining membership, reduced attendance, rising maintenance costs and insufficient reserves. Camp Michigamme is the fifth camp in the Michigan Conference to close since 2019. Over the next six months, the Northern Skies District leadership team will lead a discernment process to determine the camp’s future. Michigan Conference staff report.
Read story

South Carolina Conference
Special session restructures conference
COLUMBIA, S.C. — During an online called special session of the annual conference Oct. 18, South Carolina United Methodists approved reducing the number of districts from 12 to 10 in South Carolina. They also approved eliminating a cabinet-level position in creating the new Office of Congregational Excellence. Jessica Brodie reports.
Read story

Holston Conference
Churches join in Pride festivals in Tennessee
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — In at least three East Tennessee cities, United Methodists attended Pride events in October showing support for the LGBTQ community. After changes by last year’s General Conference to make the denomination more inclusive, church members saw the events as a chance to show love and repair harm. Annette Spence has the story.
Read story

Religion and Race
Board strengthens partnerships at fall meeting
WASHINGTON — The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, told board members to recognize the presence of Christ in their shared journey toward equity and belonging. The agency held its board meetings Oct. 18-24 in Manila, Philippines. “Gathering in the Philippines reminds us that the work of equity and inclusion is not confined to one nation or region,” said Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, board president.
Read press release

Global Ministries, New York Conference
Helping Hurricane Melissa survivors
ATLANTA — United Methodists have multiple ways to help survivors of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the Caribbean last week and caused more than 60 deaths. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has awarded solidarity grants to the Jamaica and Haiti districts of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas to assist with immediate needs, and the agency remains in communication with partners in the region as relief efforts continue. Bishop Christine Gooden Benguche of the Jamaica District issued a pastoral letter calling for “all members of our Church community, and friends of Jamaica to continue in prayer and practical service, remembering that we are one body in Christ.” The New York Conference offers a resource page with additional ways people can help.
Donate to UMCOR
Read pastoral letter (PDF)
See resources