UM News Digest - Nov 5 2025

UM News Digest - Nov. 5, 2025

New United Methodist Church structure ratified
Church strengthens stands on inclusion, racism
Food truck ministry delivers meals, hope

“This has been called the most significant structural change in the church since the merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1968 to form The United Methodist Church.” — Judi Kenaston, discussing the ratification of regionalization.

Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of a delegate vote in favor of a worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 25, 2024. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

New United Methodist Church structure ratified
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist voters around the globe have ratified Worldwide Regionalization — a package of constitutional amendments aiming to put the denomination’s different geographical regions on equal footing. Heather Hahn reports.

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West Ohio delegates raise their arms in praise during morning worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. From right are the Revs. April Casperson and Dee Stickley-Miner and Tracy Chambers. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Church strengthens stands on inclusion, racism
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In addition to regionalization, United Methodist voters ratified three other amendments to the denomination’s constitution including changes that make clear the church’s belief that God’s love is for all people. Heather Hahn reports.

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Horizon Texas Conference
Food truck ministry delivers meals, hope
FORT WORTH, Texas — Arlington Heights United Methodist Church is marking more than 10 years of feeding neighbors with its food truck. The ministry got started when the congregation bought a converted plumbing truck and hit the road to serve meals. It provides about 1,000 meals each month. Horizon Texas staff report.
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South Carolina Conference
Churches offer food assistance in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. — With the hardship created with food assistance because of the government shutdown and other economic difficulties, the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate is compiling a conference-wide list of food assistance available via United Methodist churches throughout South Carolina. Jessica Brodie has this overview.
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UM News: Food ministries sound alarm on rising needs

Kentucky-Tennessee Area
Bishop grieves Louisville plane crash
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bishop David Graves, in a statement, said that United Methodist hearts are heavy as they grieve the loss of life and the devastation caused by the UPS plane crash at the Louisville airport. “We pray for the families and loved ones of those who have died, for those who are injured and for everyone affected by this tragedy,” he wrote. Graves leads the Kentucky, Tennessee-Western Kentucky and Central Appalachian Missionary conferences.
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Missouri Conference
Program aims to get all kids a bed
COLUMBIA, Mo. — More than 250 children now sleep in their own beds because of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace ministry at Community United Methodist Church. The Columbia chapter of the ministry has been active for two years. “I got a text this morning from a mother telling me how excited her son is to be getting a bed today,” said Sherrie Helm of Community United Methodist. Fred Koenig has the story.
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Sierra Leone Conference
Bishop hosts UMCOR executive
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — During a visit to West Africa, Jim Cox, executive director of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to sustaining its investments in Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector. Bishop James Boye-Caulker welcomed the UMCOR delegation. Conference staff have 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.

Reclaiming faith beyond fear and ideology
BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (UM News) — The Gospel was never meant to defend privilege or power, says the Rev. Dr. Tércio Bretanha Junker, senior pastor of Friendship United Methodist Church. “The inclusive ethics of the Gospel call us to move beyond fear and ideology toward a living faith rooted in compassion and courage,” he writes. “They encourage us to embody love not just as a feeling but as the guiding principle of Christian life and moral thought.”
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Gammon Theological Seminary
Conference aims to equip pastors, leaders
ATLANTA — Interactive workshops and dynamic lectures are promised at Gammon Theological Seminary’s Pastors and Leaders Conference, set for Dec. 3-4 at Impact Church. The theme for the conference is “A Charge to Keep: Awakening Our Prophetic Imagination for This Present Age.” Among the speakers are the Revs. Candace M. Lewis, president-dean of Gammon, Albert Mosley, Leon F. Parker III and Nathalie Nelson Parker.
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Church and Society
Agreement strengthens justice work in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society and the Philippines Central Conference Board of Church and Society have signed a co-programming agreement to strengthen their collaboration on peace, justice and human rights initiatives across the Philippines. The partnership formalizes decades of collaboration.
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Finance and Administration
Budget Handbook released in 6 languages
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration has released the 2025-2028 United Methodist Church Budget Handbook (formerly the Financial Commitment Booklet). It is available in six languages: English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili. The resource provides an overview of the general church budget approved by the 2024 General Conference. The agency also released a video update on giving through the third quarter.
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Watch video