UM News Digest - Sept. 9, 2026

UM News Digest - Sept. 9, 2026

African bishops | Church and AI | World Methodists

“For Liberia, this is a historic and meaningful moment. We are proud to welcome our African Methodist family and to share our rich United Methodist heritage while looking toward a stronger and more united future for the Church in Africa.” — Liberia Conference Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., on hosting African bishops.

Bishops Gaspar J. Domingos, Ande I. Emmanuel and Nelson Kalombo Ngoy follow proceedings during the Africa College of Bishops opening worship service held at First United Methodist Church in Monrovia, Liberia. Photo courtesy of Liberia Annual Conference Communications.

African bishops celebrate growth, ecumenism
MARGIBI COUNTY, Liberia (UM News) — United Methodist bishops in Africa gathered in Liberia to discuss regionalization, stewardship, sustainability and other issues affecting the continent. In addressing the church’s growth in Africa, the bishops highlighted plans for the December election of a fourth bishop for the West Africa Regional Conference. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.

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Read bishops’ statement

Peter Levenstrong, associate rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, speaks during the AI and Church Summit Aug. 24-27 at the Harry Denman Building in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Chris Law, Discipleship Ministries.

Summit probes the danger and benefits of AI
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — More than 500 church leaders learned about and debated the merits of artificial intelligence at the AI and Church Summit on Aug. 24-27 in Nashville. On the upside, AI possibilities include significant medical advances, reduction of workplace dangers, increased productivity and economic growth. The downside is, well, how about an apocalypse? Jim Patterson reports.

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UM News: Artificial intelligence and church

The flag corps and band of the Methodist high school in El Salvador perform on Aug. 14 for members of the World Methodist Council meeting in San Salvador. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Methodist family spotlights justice, peace, joy
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (UM News) — United Methodists joined with other members of the World Methodist Council at a meeting in El Salvador where they explored how to work for justice around the globe. They also took lessons from the martyred Archbishop Óscar Romero, who nonviolently confronted tyranny during his ministry. Heather Hahn has the story.

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UM News: Creation celebration added to church year

Religion News Service
7 Vermont clergy arrested in ICE protest
WILLISTON, Vt. — A United Methodist pastor was among seven faith leaders arrested Sept. 4 for blockading the entrances to a Vermont building where workers help immigration agents target their efforts. The clergy insisted their faith compels them to oppose President Donald Trump’s ongoing mass deportation campaign. “I think it is imperative on me, as a faith leader, to proclaim that human beings are not targets and that God is a God of justice and of love,” said the Rev. Rebecca Girrell. Jack Jenkins reports.
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Desert Southwest Conference
Church’s blessing includes stuffed animals
TEMPE, Ariz. — Dayspring United Methodist Church includes stuffed animals in their Blessing of the Animals event, to help children without pets feel welcomed, included and connected. The stuffed-animal blessings take place on the same Sunday as the Blessing of the Animals and started a decade ago. Molly Shannon has the story.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference
Church nurtures ties with Ugandan youth
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — A songwriting contest and a planned trip are helping strengthen the ties between Conshohocken United Methodist Church and the Karama Education Center in Uganda. Songwriters are invited to submit a song for the One World, Many Voices contest, which will culminate in a showcase at the church Oct. 24. Pat Patterson has the story.
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Submit a song

Finance and Administration
Stewardship training for African leaders
MARGIBI COUNTY, Liberia — The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance agency, provided training on Aug. 29 to 42 African United Methodist administrative leaders. “While GCFA led this training, our participants taught us about how we can work together for the benefit of the connection,” said Caitlin Congdon, the agency’s top executive.
Read press release
See training materials

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.

Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus
Human suffering is not a game
SELBYVILLE, Del. — This month, the White House placed arcade-style games on its official government website that turn parts of immigration enforcement into play. The White House has since removed one game under pressure from The Tetris Company, but critics including United Methodists decry the site as dehumanizing. “These are not harmless words placed inside harmless games,” said a statement by The United Methodist Church’s Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus. “They reduce human beings living through the consequences of government policy to figures to be captured, blocked, deported or defeated.”
Read commentary
Learn more about the Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus

Greater Northwest Area
Circle of Indigenous Ministries meeting
DES MOINES, Wash. — The Greater Northwest Area Circle of Indigenous Ministries is hosting a Zoom conversation at 1:45 p.m. U.S. Pacific time Sept. 19 to discern, brainstorm and move toward action in the episcopal area’s ongoing efforts to develop mutual and life-affirming relationships with Native and Indigenous peoples and to heal historic trauma. The Circle of Indigenous Ministries supports Native American and Indigenous churches, fellowships and ministry partners in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest conferences.
Register for Zoom conversation
Learn more