UM News Digest - Sept. 24, 2025

UM News Digest - Sept. 24, 2025

Volunteers still rebuilding 1 year after Helene
Church moves from chicken coop to new chapel
Pastor’s catering builds community

“The church was the first one to reach out to me … These people come with open hearts and open minds and just want to help. They just want to be there for you.” — Barbara Douglas, on United Methodist volunteers helping after Hurricane Helene.

Members of Floris United Methodist Church help Barbara Douglas remove debris from her home in Spruce Pine, N.C., following Hurricane Helene. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Volunteers still rebuilding 1 year after Helene
SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (UM News) — One year ago, Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction across the southeastern U.S., leaving 250 people dead. The storm caused a flood surge in Florida and went on to spur tornadoes, landslides and flooding in North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. United Methodists remain active in recovery efforts. Lilla Marigza talks with volunteers from Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia, about their continued work in Western North Carolina.

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Bishop João Filimone Sambo cuts the ribbon at the July dedication of Muhalaze United Methodist Church’s new permanent chapel on the outskirts of Maputo, Mozambique. Photo by Roque Facela, UM News.

Church moves from chicken coop to new chapel
MAPUTO, Mozambique (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s Muhalaze Mission Field in Mozambique began with six members meeting on a house porch and later in a family’s chicken coop. Now, members of Muhalaze United Methodist Church have a permanent sanctuary. Roque Facela has the story.

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Desert Southwest Conference
Pastor’s catering builds community
PHOENIX — The Rev. Luiz Nazario has turned his passion for cooking into a catering ministry that benefits both his church and the wider Desert Southwest Conference. He and his wife, the Rev. Flor Granillo, lead Iglesia Aliento United Methodist Church, a new congregation that launched last year. Molly Shannon has the story.
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Desert Southwest: Celebrating Iglesia Aliento

United Methodist Communications
The Recap spotlights church vision, anniversaries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new episode of The Recap celebrates The Upper Room’s 90th year, marks Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary, tells the story of a 102-year-old church planter, and outlines The United Methodist Church’s vision for the future. Produced by United Methodist Communications, the video series helps congregations gain a better understanding of what is going on in the denomination and find inspiration in stories of ministry.
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Wespath
Wespath highlights values-based investing
GLENVIEW, Ill. — The benefits and investment arm of The United Methodist Church reduced the emissions intensity of its investment funds by 48% by the end of 2024, besting the goal of 35% set by its membership in the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance. That is among the highlights touted by Wespath Benefits and Investments in its new Sustainable Investment Report. The report also spotlights work on affordable housing, climate change and human rights.
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Status and Role of Women
Board approves budget, sets priorities
GLENVIEW, Ill. — During the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women’s fall board of directors meeting, board members and staff discussed strategic priorities, welcomed new staff and approved the 2026 budget. Led by the Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the commission’s top executive, and Bishop Delores J. Williamston, board president, the Sept. 18-19 gathering also featured worship, a visit to the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago and a celebration of the commission’s 53 years of ministry.
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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.

Upper New York, Susquehanna conferences
Bishop: Jesus’ life is not an option
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — In the past week, Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez has received many requests to respond to the pressing issues confronting the United States and the world. The bishop, who leads the Upper New York and Susquehanna conferences, writes that he feels the Holy Spirit’s nudge to share the example of Jesus rather than his opinions.
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Higher Education Foundation
Plan now to support college students
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Churches whose students plan to attend a United Methodist-related college, university or seminary next year are encouraged to start thinking now about sponsoring them at $1,000 each for larger matching scholarships. Through the UM Dollars for Scholars program, the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation provides matches from the foundation, as well as partnering schools and UM conference foundations, for up to a $4,000 scholarship. The foundation offers tips for supporting college-bound students.
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