UM News Digest - Oct. 19, 2026

UM News Digest - Oct. 19, 2026

Motorcycle ministry | Leadership Gathering Q&A | Online worship

“Conquer the lands entrusted to you for The United Methodist Church. Plant churches, win souls and make the Lord proud.” — Nigeria Area Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel.

Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel (second from left) and other church leaders try out newly acquired motorcycles at a handover ceremony in Jalingo, Nigeria. Photo by Joseph Dauda Idris Balasa, UM News.

Motorcycles strengthen ministry in rural Nigeria
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — United Methodist Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel presented 48 motorcycles to district superintendents across the five annual conferences in the Nigeria Episcopal Area. The bikes will help alleviate travel challenges faced by those ministering in rural communities with rugged terrain. Filibus Bakari Auta has the story.

Read story

Logo courtesy of United Methodist Communications

What to know about the Leadership Gathering
CALGARY, Alberta (UM News) — After many long months of preparation, the Leadership Gathering is set to take place this week in Canada to help imagine The United Methodist Church of tomorrow. Heather Hahn has answers to frequently asked questions.
Read FAQ

Rio Texas Conference
Building community through Fresh Expressions
MARBLE FALLS, Texas — For Hill Country United Methodist Church, growth doesn’t always look like more people filling seats on Sunday morning. Sometimes it’s a group at the local senior center or a conversation between a pastor and local musicians. Now beginning its fourth year as a church plant, Hill Country United Methodist is exploring what it means to build relationships through Fresh Expressions of ministry. The Rev. Amanda Banda has the story.
Read story

Oklahoma Conference
‘The fun part of life is serving’
EDMOND, Okla. — For Marilyn Williams, a lifetime of service to older adults began when her Virginia Beach garden club was looking for volunteers to visit a local nursing home. The United Methodist also was among the denomination’s earliest ordained deacons, a clergy order started 30 years ago. The Rev. Derrek Belase has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Couple delays retirement to fund special home
CHAPIN, S.C. — Elliott and Kathy New of Union United Methodist Church postponed Elliott’s retirement by one year, putting that salary and their stocks toward a new home for adults with special needs. The home is named Benjamin’s House in memory of their late son. Jessica Brodie reports.
Read story

Upper New York Conference
Church opened doors to people with nowhere else
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — When unhoused neighbors had nowhere else to turn, First United Methodist Church of Schenectady opened its doors. The congregation is loving boldly by offering warmth, safety and compassion to those in need. Shelby Winchell has the story.
Read story

Horizon Texas Conference
Conference adds second count to Highland Park suit
DALLAS — The Horizon Texas Conference has amended its civil suit against Highland Park United Methodist Church, adding a second count accusing the church of breach of contract and arguing that the church council’s 2022 changes to Highland Park’s articles and bylaws are void. The conference is asking the court for a permanent injunction prohibiting Highland Park from breaching the articles and bylaws further and from amending them without a district superintendent’s approval. The Oct. 15 filing comes as Highland Park’s church council announced that it unanimously adopted a resolution calling for a church-wide disaffiliation vote on Oct. 25 and 26. In the letter, the council recommends severing all ties with The United Methodist Church.
Read amended filing (PDF)
Read church council’s letter
UM News: Highland Park proposes leaving denomination
UM News: Conference sues its largest congregation

United Methodist Communications
Where to worship online
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Online worship services have become a common ministry in United Methodist churches across the connection. Many stream and/or post their full, regular worship services weekly. United Methodist Communications has compiled a list of places to worship online. If your church offers online services and is not on the list, write to [email protected] with your church name, city and state, times of online services, verification of your streaming licensing, and links to where you post your services.
See list

Association of Ministers with Disabilities
New resource on trauma and disability
NEW ORLEANS — The Association of Ministers with Disabilities has released a new resource developed following its 2026 Disability Summit. The white paper is titled “Disability, Trauma, and the Church: Toward a Disability-Just, Trauma-Informed Ecclesiology, Ministry, and Institutional Practice.” The paper is intended not only for disabled clergy and laity, but also bishops and other United Methodist leaders.
Read white paper

United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy
Webinar looks at inclusion across geography
DENVER — Does The United Methodist Church face the danger of experiencing a type of gerrymandering? That question prompts an upcoming free Zoom webinar sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy scheduled at 4-6 p.m. U.S. Mountain time Nov. 10.
Learn more and register