https://www.umnews.org/The latest news from the United Methodist News Service. UM News: Fair. Faithful. Trusted.enCopyright 2024 United Methodist Communicationsnewsdesk@umcom.org (Julie Dwyer)https://www.umnews.org/-/media/umc-media/2024/03/11/15/36/umnews-logo-1000px.png?h=367&w=1000https://www.umnews.org/60{6A0C1789-664D-469D-BFEB-259CD380D33F}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/a-ministry-of-healingFaith, resilience and self-care come together in United Methodist pastor’s unique ministry, which includes a vegan skincare line.Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:30:48 -0500{EDBF4CD4-4D0F-43FB-B2E5-07D88201F996}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/embracing-role-playing-games-at-churchOnce a scourge to conservative Christians, Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games are now sometimes hosted at United Methodist churches, where players say the games can reinforce things they learn in church. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0500{0E204063-659C-4C8E-9775-FE1434332DAD}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/inclusivity-brings-church-back-from-the-brinkIn 2017, Glendale United Methodist Church didn’t look like it was going to survive long. But committed lay people, a dedicated pastor and radical inclusiveness turned things around.Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:59:00 -0500{A756D647-D5D3-4102-9B13-2BCAC72BA239}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/a-united-methodist-call-to-healthy-agingThe United Methodist Church should serve as a model for healthy aging and caregiving. “It is not simply a healthcare issue. It is a discipleship issue,” writes retired pastor.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:02:24 -0500{8BBEAB03-28BC-4097-946B-EE0A2904F1B1}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/metodismo-en-puerto-rico-reafirma-y-fortalece-su-mision-en-medio-de-los-desafios-del-paisDuring its 11th Connectional Conference, members of the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico committed to strengthening ministries amid U.S. challenges.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:48:31 -0500{9FF498F0-2F90-4D60-B7C4-921CFB3A8AF5}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-members-urge-intervention-in-west-bankThe California-Nevada Conference makes an appeal to the U.S. government as violence escalates in Palestinian villages, including longtime church partner Wadi Foquin. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:29:00 -0500{D1988354-E3FE-4E57-BA35-689BD3BCC802}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/3-years-after-wildfire-hope-spreads-in-lahainaThe sanctuary is gone, but the congregation never stopped gathering. At Lahaina United Methodist Church, faith, volunteers and a vision for the future are helping a community rebuild.Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:05:13 -0500{D1B773E7-A803-4A85-82DF-CC33D17C0154}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/pastor-redefines-what-a-church-can-beThrough a small immigrant congregation and an unmarked guest house for women in crisis, the Rev. Misook Park has quietly built a ministry that extends beyond Sunday worship.Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:20:00 -0500{7FC7A045-646F-485C-A816-BF2B7E49862C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-installs-rainwater-tanks-in-isolated-congolese-villageMore than 600 households now have access to clean water through a project funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief.Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:31:00 -0500{D4834952-50F9-492B-B944-303FD90E2EAD}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/taking-action-during-a-previous-iran-crisisA few weeks into the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, Bishop C. Dale White of New Jersey joined a small delegation of religious leaders headed to Iran in hopes of fostering dialogue.Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:27:00 -0500{279C5C80-3C24-4EB7-BAD2-775252D2538A}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/why-i-chose-to-remain-in-the-united-methodist-churchRetired Northern Illinois Conference elder reflects on his early experiences in the church and the relationships he built with United Methodist leaders during his years of ministry.Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:11:14 -0500{5BFAD2D1-B2F6-4A47-8F50-7C501581752C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-liberia-annual-conferenceJuly 10-12, Gbarnga City (Special Session)Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:52:59 -0500{5939EC79-DF21-4759-BCFF-DE55258E5578}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/amid-ice-killings-churches-defend-immigrantsUnited Methodists are caring for frightened neighbors after federal immigration enforcement fatally shot two people in less than a week. Church leaders also are trying to help people who have seen their legal status stripped. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:26:24 -0500{15934128-8921-4A14-A94D-4DCF6BABD411}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/rising-up-and-loving-boldlyDuring the Susquehanna Annual Conference, members were challenged to join a revolution of love and transform the world through faithful and courageous discipleship.Wed, 22 Jul 2026 11:11:51 -0500{8E677DE0-F17A-4310-93E6-8BF0E86ABA8F}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/communicators-in-africa-serve-on-front-lines-of-crisesTrained in strategic communications by United Methodist Communications and Africa University, eight communicators share how they plan to use their new skills to serve communities facing conflict, disease and misinformation.Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:54:59 -0500{9B3B5959-CB03-4869-BE06-086DCEE7321C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/communications-program-strengthens-storytelling-in-africaUnited Methodist communicators from all 14 of the church’s African episcopal areas received strategic communications training and certification through a partnership between Africa University and United Methodist Communications.Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:28:33 -0500{DFD6E3DF-4C9A-45D2-960F-A7DEF3F72C28}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/planners-set-time-for-us-regional-conferenceOrganizers are beginning to plan The United Methodist Church’s inaugural U.S. Regional Conference. While excited about the work, the group faces some big challenges. Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:16:59 -0500{F850E069-7A08-4A21-BC0F-77E2CB0F3AF7}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/when-the-doors-were-not-yet-openIt’s been 25 years since the rollout of The United Methodist Church’s brand promise of “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” Despite controversy, it remains relevant today. Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:51:26 -0500{88950FC4-8C9F-458C-A3D6-93393AC8B5D5}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/on-the-road-with-rev-adam-hamilton-in-kansasThe United Methodist pastor is traveling the state in his bid to become a U.S. senator. He’s trying to build a bipartisan base like the one he has enjoyed at Church of the Resurrection for 36 years.Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:26:03 -0500{B930AC48-323D-43A2-BF92-DF3E5AE0EBD0}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/how-churches-can-adopt-their-own-pet-ministriesA new book by United Methodists shares practical guidance for congregations looking to build community connections by caring for pets and the people who love them.Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:30:42 -0500{1F20413B-37F5-40AF-A896-F3864D04058E}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/young-peoples-gathering-energizes-connectionThe United Methodist forum gives young delegates, youth leaders space to foster fellowship, focus on discipleship and imagine the future church.Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:10:26 -0500{5E5103AA-FC8C-4906-89C7-982FB41F540E}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/conferences-team-up-to-raise-15m-for-africa-university-dormThe United Methodist Church’s Upper New York and Susquehanna annual conferences approved a project to build a women’s dormitory in response to a pressing need for student housing.Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:17:17 -0500{1B75947D-E2C8-4C91-A9E9-EDBBB64298FE}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-iowa-annual-conferenceJune 11-14, Des Moines, IowaTue, 14 Jul 2026 09:56:19 -0500{2F75A1A4-C638-4D30-AEC0-467D7D2B82AE}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/leadership-gathering-moves-ahead-amid-challengesDespite rising costs and visa troubles, organizers are pressing ahead with the gathering intended to help set a new course for The United Methodist Church.Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:58:38 -0500{C0491935-974B-49EC-88DE-7F7453101318}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/remembering-civil-rights-advocate-clara-esterThe lifelong United Methodist, who died July 9 at age 77, was inspired by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to fight injustice. She went on to inspire countless others as a deaconess and servant leader.Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:38:18 -0500{DBF4179E-112D-4B50-8486-F82D2BA8F1E6}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/probe-ends-of-pastor-who-worked-for-epsteinThe Missouri Conference has reached a resolution with a United Methodist pastor who briefly worked as a property manager for the convicted sex offender.Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:37:00 -0500{CA9A599E-32E3-4340-A44C-74EF93A69F25}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/group-advises-adding-2-more-us-bishopsWhile recognizing The United Methodist Church’s financial constraints, church leaders have approved a recommendation to increase the number of U.S. bishops in 2028.Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:57:18 -0500{DCF2D29C-EE73-4899-8C00-E3D85325BB44}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/rev-ed-king-civil-rights-icon-dies-at-89An ordained United Methodist, King worked for racial equality in his native Mississippi. Fellow church leaders remember his courage in the face of jailtime, rejection from church leaders and threats to his life. Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:35:44 -0500{C75197CB-C619-4541-A05D-4B590CB36E56}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/historic-church-embraces-new-era-of-ministryLa Trinidad United Methodist Church, San Antonio’s oldest Hispanic Protestant congregation, is marking its 150th anniversary while renewing its commitment to serving new generations and immigrant families.Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:35:00 -0500{38790277-C5FF-416D-93C7-B4065230E523}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/conference-youth-retreats-make-comebackPromoting youth involvement in leadership and maintaining yearlong connections beyond the United Methodist events have been keys to success.Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:53:00 -0500{71A93989-B3E6-44AB-8CF1-118DA5258417}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/social-media-graphics-from-um-newsGraphic for the Fourth of July available to download and share on social media. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 15:11:00 -0500{9157E129-FA31-4566-B5A6-A9F900F4269C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-alaska-annual-conferenceJune 11-13, Anchorage, AlaskaWed, 01 Jul 2026 12:47:14 -0500{E533A984-10D4-4AC0-995F-BE07B08A0A72}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-new-england-annual-conferenceJune 4-6 in Manchester, N.H.Wed, 01 Jul 2026 10:16:55 -0500{A7008B01-C8FB-47A2-90EC-3265D2A3E4FE}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-steps-up-ebola-response-in-congoFacing a deadly Ebola flare up, the East Congo Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church is rolling out an integrated response — spiritual, medical and community based — to protect the most vulnerable populations.Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:11:08 -0500{7E20502F-EF73-406E-BABB-C1CC9483A8E1}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-cheers-birthright-citizenship-rulingWhile grateful that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Trump’s executive order denying birthright citizenship, United Methodists also lament that the court upheld other measures targeting immigrants.Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:56:28 -0500{C611A191-D0F2-4E47-B398-125933EA7BDE}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/lgbtq-leader-retires-after-pivotal-changesJan Lawrence kept United Methodist advocates organized after the denomination strengthened bans against LGBTQ people and helped lead the way toward the longtime bans’ repeal. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:38:40 -0500{EB31C3D4-5538-4944-9320-78F49B2F5E0C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-horizon-texas-annual-conferenceMay 31-June 3, Wichita Falls, TexasFri, 26 Jun 2026 13:13:46 -0500{977A586E-F483-41DB-8C52-C94965FF5F48}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-new-mexico-annual-conferenceJune 11-13, El Paso, TexasFri, 26 Jun 2026 11:55:56 -0500