UM News Digest - Oct. 22, 2025

UM News Digest - Oct. 22, 2025

Cross-cultural, cross-racial pastors seek revival
Church uses football rivalry to feed hungry kids
Café ministry extends church community

“When the flag rises above the cross, the Gospel is compromised.” — The Rev. Grace Imathiu, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois.

Participants at the Facing the Future 2025 conference take a dance break Oct. 7 at Sonesta Los Angeles Airport hotel in Los Angeles. The national conference examined the challenges of cross-cultural and cross-racial clergy. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Participants at the Facing the Future 2025 conference take a dance break Oct. 7 at Sonesta Los Angeles Airport hotel in Los Angeles. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Cross-cultural, cross-racial pastors seek revival
LOS ANGELES (UM News) — Weariness, stress and frustration at racism were among the challenges shared by clergy who gathered this month at Facing the Future 2025. The conference offered space for United Methodist clergy in cross-cultural and cross-racial appointments to learn from each other, recenter and envision ministry ahead. Jim Patterson reports.

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Holston Conference
Church uses football rivalry to feed hungry kids
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — What college team won the Oatmeal Bowl this year at Christ United Methodist Church? The rivalry between football fans in the Chattanooga congregation fired up members to collect a mountain of instant oatmeal packets — 21,116, to be precise — to feed hungry schoolchildren all over Hamilton County. Annette Spence has the story.
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Upper New York
Café ministry extends church community
LATHAM, N.Y. — Each Thursday afternoon, the Rev. Nick Bufano relocates his “office” to The Works Café — a local coffee shop that has become more than just a place for lattes and lunch. The pastor of Newtonville United Methodist Church writes about how the café ministry has fostered meaningful conversations and unexpected connections.
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Missouri Conference, KCTV
Arson suspected in church fire
LEETON, Mo. — Investigators suspect the Oct. 20 fire that gutted the 129-year-old building of Leeton United Methodist Church was intentionally set. Despite that trauma, the Rev. Ellen Lake is confident the congregation will move forward. Fred Koenig reports. Greg Dailey of KCTV has an update on the investigation.
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KCTV: Juveniles accused of church arson

South Carolina Conference
One judge to handle state’s separation litigation
CHESTER, S.C. — Litigation between the South Carolina Conference and local congregations seeking to leave The United Methodist Church will now be handled by one circuit court judge. The Methodist Church of Simpsonville and other United Methodist churches in the state filed lawsuits seeking to break away from the denomination yet keep their church property. Jessica Brodie reports.
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NBC-DFW
Texas church paints rainbow steps in protest
DALLAS — Oak Lawn United Methodist Church on Oct. 21 began painting its front steps in rainbow colors, a response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent order requiring cities to remove rainbow crosswalks from public streets. The Rev. Ryan Wager said the church decided to act after residents encouraged one another to display rainbows on private property as a form of peaceful protest. Allie Spillyards has the story.
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ClergyEducation
Webinar explores small-church Advent ideas
COLUMBIA, Missouri — The Rev. Teresa Stewart, a former Missouri Conference pastor, is the founder of SmallChurch.org that works with small churches in Mainline Protestant denominations. In a webinar set for 10 a.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 6, she plans to offer simple ideas for high participation in small church worship during the Advent season. The cost of the webinar is $35
Learn more and register

United Methodist Communications
Making the most of trunk-or-treat media
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Trunk-or-treat has become one of the most popular community events of the fall season for many United Methodist churches. However, because trunk-or-treat events involve children, it is important to handle media carefully and respectfully. With a little planning, churches can both protect families and celebrate the joy of community. Renee McNeill has suggestions.
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United Methodist Volunteers in Mission
New team leader handbook on sale
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, which organizes short-term missions in the U.S. and around the globe, has released its new Team Leader Handbook at the UMVIM.org shop. Hard copies cost $20, including shipping. An electronic PDF version is $10.
See UMVIM store
UM News: Volunteers in Mission embark on new chapter