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The Rev. Nelson Kalombo Ngoy receives congratulations from Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone after being elected a United Methodist bishop during the Mid Africa Central Conference in Kitwe, Zambia, on July 12. Ngoy, a Congo native who currently leads a multiracial congregation in New York, was unanimously elected on the sixth ballot. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Nelson Kalombo Ngoy elected as bishop

The pastor, who currently leads a multiracial congregation in New York, was elected a United Methodist bishop at the Mid Africa Central Conference.

Editor's Picks

Disaster Relief

Workers search through debris at Louise Hays Park in Kerrville, Texas, on July 6 after catastrophic floods over the Fourth of July weekend killed at least 95 people, including 27 campers and counselors at nearby Camp Mystic. Photo by the Rev. Amanda Banda, Rio Texas Conference.

Grieving church brings comfort in Texas floods

As the floodwaters rose, Kerrville First United Methodist Church quickly opened as a shelter. Since then, the church has provided respite for families waiting to hear about loved ones.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Birgitte French (second from right) of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference addresses a class at the Mama Lynn Center in Kindu, Congo. The center provides training to vulnerable women and girls. During a visit with other members of a United Methodist delegation from the U.S. in September, French expressed her joy at strengthening the conference’s partnership with eastern Congo. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Center provides hope for women in Congo

The Mama Lynn Center, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, provides training and spiritual support to women who have suffered sexual violence, helping them regain their dignity and become economically independent.

Annual Conferences

2025 United Methodist annual conference reports

UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.

Latest News

Bishops

Antoine Kalema Tambwe elected as bishop

Bishops

Mujinga Kashala elected as bishop

Central Conferences

A map shows the Mid Africa Central Conference, formerly known as the Congo Central Conference. The central conference is meeting July 10-13 in Kitwe, Zambia. Delegates will elect three bishops, two to succeed retiring bishops and one added to the central conference by last year’s General Conference. Graphic by Ben Ward, UM News.

Conference gets new name, adds bishop

Disaster Relief

On a muddy street in the Ngaliema district of Kinshasa, residents attempt to salvage some belongings after floods destroyed homes and businesses in their neighborhood following torrential rains on June 14. Four United Methodists were among the nearly 30 people who lost their lives in the floods. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.

4 United Methodists killed in Congo floods

Central Conferences

Episcopal Elections of the Central Conference of The United Methodist Church. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Mid Africa Central Conference Balloting 2025

Young People

Young adults pose for a photo during a visit to the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, Korea, on June 24. The group traveled from 15 countries to participate in the 2025 Young Adults Pilgrimage of Peace in South Korea, organized in part by United Methodists. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Young adults walk paths of peace in South Korea

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Local Church

The Rev. Dr. Richard Huskey died one day after being ordained an elder in full connection in The United Methodist Church. He is pictured at left upon his seminary graduation in 1974. At center, Huskey attends a 1977 rally to support an ordinance that banned discrimination in employment and housing in St. Paul, Minn. He had selected the photo to represent his time in ministry. At right is Huskey in 2014. Photos are courtesy of Huskey; the 2014 photo is via the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network.

LGBTQ activist ordained on deathbed

Evangelism

John 1:1. Trinity Sunday. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media graphics from UM News

Social Concerns

The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. While disappointed in recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings related to immigration and birthright citizenship, United Methodist leaders remain committed to upholding the denomination’s teachings to welcome all people as children of God. File photo by Clayton Childers, United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

US Supreme Court rulings challenge church

Mission and Ministry

Video screenshot by Lilla Marigza, UM News

Filipino pastors serve in the Middle East

General Church

Tafadzwa Chingosho works in his fields in Hanwa, Zimbabwe, to keep the crops free from weeds. Chingosho, who left school to pursue his dream of being a farmer, gained skills through United Methodist programs including Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Church programs help young farmer pursue dream

Commentaries

Hannah Buchanan. Photo courtesy of the author.

United Methodist pastor: I believe Jesus weeps with us

Affirmation at last: Remembering the Rev. Dr. Rick Huskey

We need a new table where all are welcome

‘Not-so-obvious introvert’ on church’s new vision

The Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa. Photo courtesy of the author.

An appeal to hold General Conference outside US

When the shepherd strays: Addiction and clergy wellness

Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Photo by Tessa Tillett for the Indiana Conference.

Love demands compassionate response, prophetic witness

Why our church is in trouble

Multimedia

Mission and Ministry

Filipino pastors serve in the Middle East

Seven new United Methodist pastors were recently commissioned at a consecration ceremony in Doha, Qatar. These men and women answered a call to serve the spiritual needs of the Filipinos living and working in the Middle East.

Mission and Ministry

Mary Ellis and Steve Richardson conduct a free church disability audit. Steve is chair of the Holston Conference’s Disability Concerns Committee. Photo from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Accessibility audits ensure church’s doors are open to all

Faith Sharing

Social media graphics from UM News

Mission and Ministry

Sister Alegría (right) and Sister Confianza, members of the Amigas del Señor (Women Friends of the Lord) Monastery in Limón, Honduras, pray during evening compline. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodist nuns blend spiritual traditions

Evangelism

People gather around a laptop during a “Tell Your Church’s Story” training event for churches in the Rizal Philippines Annual Conference East (RPACE) on March 22. The event was sponsored by the Taytay Philippines Communications team and United Methodist Communications. Image courtesy of the Taytay Philippines Communications team.

Philippines church communicators develop new skills

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