UM News Digest - Oct. 14, 2026

UM News Digest - Oct. 14, 2026

Korean gathering | Trust clause affirmed | Questioning AI hub

“Fifty years ago, someone planted seeds for us. Now, it is our turn to plant.” — The Rev. Hyok-In Kwon, president of the Korean Association of The United Methodist Church.

Participants in the Korean Association of The United Methodist Church’s 50th anniversary convocation pose with San Francisco Bay behind them after morning worship Oct. 6. Photo by the Rev. Eung-Sun Kim, UM News.

Korean church leaders welcome new generation
BURLINGAME, Calif. (UM News) — Korean United Methodist clergy and lay leaders returned to the San Francisco area, where their national association began, to celebrate 50 years of ministry. Those gathered explored ways to nurture the next generation’s leadership and strengthen partnerships across communities. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story.

Read story

The Baltimore-Washington Conference Center stands in Fulton, Maryland. An appellate court ruled in favor of the conference in a suit filed by 37 churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church with property. Photo courtesy of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Trust clause sees big win in Maryland court
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (UM News) — The Appellate Court of Maryland ruled in favor of the Baltimore-Washington Conference in a suit filed by 37 churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church with property. The opinion marks a victory for the denomination’s trust provision and could influence other cases winding their way through civil courts. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story

Giovanni Tapang, a scientist and spokesperson of Advocates of Science and Technology for the People , speaks to an ecumenical gathering in Quezon City about the proposed Pax Silica development in New Clark City, Tarlac, and its possible implications for communities, Indigenous Peoples, natural resources and Philippine sovereignty. Photo courtesy of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

Giovanni Tapang, a scientist and spokesperson for Advocates of Science and Technology for the People, speaks to an ecumenical gathering in Quezon City about the proposed Pax Silica development in New Clark City, Tarlac, and its possible implications. Photo courtesy of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

Filipino United Methodists question AI hub
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — A U.S.-led initiative built around strengthening cooperation on artificial intelligence and other strategic technologies, promises massive development for the Philippines, but faith leaders have concerns. At two ecumenical events, United Methodist leaders reflected on questions about the environmental impacts of an AI industrial hub and who really benefits from the development. Gladys P. Mangiduyos has the story.
Read story

South Carolina Conference
Book ministry gets 50,000 books to kids
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — What started as a pandemic-era idea at Socastee United Methodist Church has grown into a book ministry that’s put more than 50,000 cleaned-up, carefully chosen books into the hands of children at schools, salons, laundry rooms and housing communities. The volunteers hope other United Methodist churches will catch the vision and start book ministries of their own. Jessica Brodie reports.
Read story

Rio Texas Conference
3 churches join to build wheelchair ramp
MERETA, Texas — Volunteers from three San Angelo United Methodist churches joined with the Texas Ramp Project to build a wheelchair ramp for a family, providing safer access to their home. The project, which the volunteers completed in three hours, highlights how churches can work together to meet practical needs in their communities. The conference has the story.
Read story

United Methodist Communications
Proposal to unite 4 agencies moves forward
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The plan to unify four United Methodist general agencies has passed a significant milestone. The boards of Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries, Higher Education and Ministry and United Methodist Communications have all passed proposed legislation to unify. The unified agency has a proposed name: The United Methodist Mission and Ministry Agency.
Read press release
UM News: 4 church agencies propose unifying into one
Learn more

Council of Bishops
Bishops gear up for Leadership Gathering
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is preparing for its upcoming Leadership Gathering from Oct. 20-24 at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The theme for the event is “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be.”
Read press release
Learn more

Archives and History
Three honored for shaping UM history
MADISON, N.J. — The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History recognized three recipients during its annual board meeting for their contributions to archival service, Methodist scholarship and advocacy within The United Methodist Church. Mark Shenise, archivist at Archives and History, and the Rev. Laceye Warner, executive vice dean of Duke Divinity School, were presented with the Distinguished Service Award. The Queer Delegate Caucus, whose organizing helped shape the historic actions of the 2024 General Conference, received the Contemporary History Trailblazer Award.
Read press release

Church and Society
Week set to support Congo
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society invites United Methodists on Oct. 18-24 to join in observing Breaking the Silence: Congo Week. The week of activities commemorates the millions of lives lost in the Congo conflict while celebrating the enormous human and natural potential that exists in the country. To help churches mark the week, the board offers a Congo Prayer Campaign Toolkit.
Learn more
See toolkit