UM News Digest - Sept. 2, 2026

UM News Digest - Sept. 2, 2026

Bishop Mutti dies | Churches go solar | Hunger ministry

“He was one of the most decent people I’ve ever met in my life. You’ll hear that from everybody. He was just kind.” — Missouri Conference Bishop Bob Farr on his friend Bishop Fritz Mutti.

Bishop Alfred F. “Fritz” Mutti III who led United Methodists in Kansas from 1992 to 2004, died Sept. 1 at age 88. Alongside his late wife, he advocated for LGBTQ inclusion and helped establish the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops

Bishop Mutti, leader in AIDS fight, dies
LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (UM News) — Retired Bishop Albert Frederick “Fritz” Mutti III, who led United Methodists in Kansas from 1992 to 2004, died Sept. 1 at age 88. Alongside his late wife, he advocated for LGBTQ inclusion and helped establish the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee and Fund. The couple’s tireless advocacy came out of the great personal loss of two sons to AIDS. Heather Hahn has the obituary.

Read obituary

Workers install solar panels at Chamblee United Methodist Church in Chamblee, Ga. The Rev. Blair Zant, senior pastor, said the church has already saved $40,000 since the installation was completed in April of this year. Several other United Methodist churches in Georgia are hooking up to solar power, helped by a nonprofit organization that guides them in setting it up with no upfront costs. Photo courtesy of Chamblee United Methodist Church.

Workers install solar panels at Chamblee United Methodist Church in Chamblee, Ga. Photo courtesy of Chamblee United Methodist Church.

Churches go solar, putting creation care into action
DUNWOODY, Ga. (UM News) — United Methodist churches in Georgia are jumping on the solar power train, helped by a nonprofit that’s showing they can care for the environment while also reducing their electric bill. Chamblee First United Methodist Church in Chamblee, Georgia, reports that it has already saved $40,000 after going solar last spring. Jim Patterson reports.
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Global Ministries
Turning surplus into sustenance
ATLANTA — More than a million pounds of surplus food a week makes its way to people who need it through the efforts of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative, a Feeding America co-op. The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries helps support that work through a $500,000 grant awarded to Feeding America last year. “We were compelled to respond to hunger in the U.S. as a result of conversations we had within the communities we serve,” said Jim Cox, who leads humanitarian relief and recovery for Global Ministries. Sara Logeman has the story.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Bishop responds to hate crime
PHOENIX — With weary hearts, the people of the Desert Southwest Conference are grieving another act of gun violence. Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, lost their lives to a senseless act of violence that struck Venture-N, a longtime LGBTQ bar in Tucson. Police in Arizona have confirmed that the shooting was a hate crime after detectives found a note that “indicated he acted alone and that this shooting was a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQIA+ community,” the department said. In a pastoral letter, Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut calls for prayer. He also urges United Methodists to be advocates, peacemakers and agents of transformation.
Read statement
AP: Police confirm gay bar shooting was hate crime

Florida Conference
New church moves forward near Tampa
LAKELAND, Fla. — A new United Methodist church is starting up in the aptly named community of Wesley Chapel, about 20 miles north of Tampa. Two Rivers United Methodist Church has been meeting at the home of Pastor John Legg, who is leading the effort. Some small groups have formed, and the beginning stages of finding people to fill various roles is underway. Joe Henderson has the story.
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FaVS News
Spokane-area churches help wildfire survivors
SPOKANE, Wash. — With the worst of recent wildfires in the rearview mirror, the relief work among Spokane-area churches continues. The Spokane Complex fires began Aug. 1 and burned roughly 10,000 acres and destroyed 900 structures. The Rev. Cody Natland, a Pacific Northwest Conference district superintendent, has helped coordinate the United Methodist disaster response, drawing volunteers from four states. Sebastian Moraga reports.
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Religion and Race
Grants support conflict resolution, education
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has awarded $307,000 in CORR Action Fund grants to support education, justice and leadership in United Methodist communities in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. Each of the 33 projects will receive up to $10,000 for initiatives focused on conflict resolution, education about oppression, intercultural competency and leadership development.
Read press release

United Methodist Communications
Suicide prevention resources
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. United Methodists can help reduce the stigma around suicide and connect people in crisis with professional help. People of faith who want to learn more are invited to take Suicide Prevention Training for Faith Leaders and Faith Communities, a free video training resource developed by the E. Stanley Jones Foundation in partnership with the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry.
Learn more
Access training