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Board members of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” during opening worship at their meeting Nov. 14 in Nashville, Tenn. During the meeting, the board reckoned with the denomination’s financial difficulties while approving spending for denomination-wide ministries in 2026. The board also heard a report on alternative sources of revenue beyond the offering plate. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Bishop warns of financial troubles ahead

The president of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency urged leaders to face the reality of reduced resources. He also expressed hope that the church can rebuild for a faithful future.

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Dr. Evans Matiki smiles at Loice Mauna and her new baby while visiting patients at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. The United Methodist Church’s mission facilities at Old Mutare and Mutambara are providing improved maternity care, including daily meals for patients at the waiting mothers' shelters. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Mission hospitals give hope to expectant mothers

The United Methodist Church’s facilities at Old Mutare and Mutambara, Zimbabwe, are providing improved maternity care, including daily meals for patients at the waiting mothers' shelters.

General Church

Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. gives an update on plans for the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering, scheduled Oct. 20-24, 2026, in Calgary, Canada. Saenz is co-chair of the gathering’s Design Team. During the online fall meeting, his fellow bishops also elected Saenz as the incoming Council of Bishops president. Screenshot photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops Facebook page.

Bishops plan gathering to follow Spirit’s lead

United Methodist bishops heard an update on planning for next year’s Leadership Gathering that aims to help church leaders discern God’s guidance as the denomination starts anew.

General Church

During its fall meeting Nov. 3-7, the Council of Bishops announced the ratification of four amendments to the denomination’s constitution — which each passed with more than 91% of the vote. Chief among the changes approved was regionalization, a restructuring of the denomination that de-centers the U.S. Image courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Regionalization starts taking effect

The United Methodist body that submitted the restructuring to General Conference met to take a victory lap and begin putting the newly ratified plan into practice.

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Global Health

Bishop Nelson Kalombo Ngoy of the Tanganyika Episcopal Area (center, in blue suit) and the Rev. Alpher K. Sylvester of the New York Conference (right, in light jacket) stand amid a group of clergy and community members with hands raised in prayer during an outreach visit in Kalemie, Congo. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

New bishop brings big dreams to Tanganyika

Worship

Attendees raise their hands in celebration during a lunch-hour prayer service July 24 at St. Peter’s Inner City United Methodist Church in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The United Methodist-led services draw church members and people from other denominations for weekly prayer and worship. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Lunch-hour prayer service draws members, friends

Connectional Table

Connectional Table lives into new vision at Philippines gathering

General Conference

GC2028 delegate count marks historic shift

Social Concerns

Schoolgirls journey home on a homemade raft they guide down a flooded street in Calumpit, Philippines, after Typhoon Carina in July 2024. As climate change continues to impact livelihoods, economies and habitats around the world, the Council of Bishops is reiterating its commitment to creation care. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishops prioritize creation care

Church History

Wooden crosses are presented as a special recognition to several participants in the celebration of the 120th anniversary of La Trinidad United Methodist Church in May. La Trinidad in Seguin, Texas, has been a source of Hispanic leaders for the denomination throughout its history. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.

La Trinidad epitomizes Hispanic legacy in United Methodist Church

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Local Church

Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana (second from left), a Global Ministries area liaison for Asia and the Pacific, leads “A Conversation on Power and Decolonization” during the Asia Mission Leaders’ Summit on Oct. 21 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The session focused on leadership, sustainability and decolonizing mission practices. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Asian mission leaders reimagine future together

Evangelism

Charles Wesley hymn "Come, Let Us Join our Friends Above;" image by StockSnap from Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News

Social media graphics from UM News

Social Concerns

“The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal That Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever” will be on display Nov. 10-Dec. 1 at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. The exhibit, normally a permanent installation at the History Colorado Center in Denver, is being co-hosted by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and Commission on Religion and Race. Photo Courtesy of History Colorado.

Agencies host Sand Creek Massacre exhibit in DC

Mission and Ministry

Ola Williams sorts through donated produce at the Willow Community Food Pantry in Willow, Alaska. Williams serves as director of the pantry, a ministry of Willow United Methodist Church. 2023 file photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Mission agency, churches work to fill gaps

General Church

Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of a delegate vote in favor of a worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 25, 2024. The Council of Bishops announced Nov. 5 that annual conference lay and clergy voters have ratified regionalization. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

New United Methodist Church structure ratified

Commentaries

After regionalization, church must prioritize unity

The Rev. Dr. Tércio B. Junker Photo courtesy of the Northern Illinois Conference.

Reclaiming faith beyond fear and ideology

Remembering who we are amid US budget fight

Deacons serve diverse, specialized roles

Religious trauma affects clergy too

Honoring our differences while celebrating unity

Love more, fear less, in cross-cultural ministry

The Rev. Joelle Henneman. Photo courtesy of the author.

Church can be sanctuary for trans lives

Multimedia

Faith Sharing

Social media graphics from UM News

Graphic for All Saints Day available to download and share on social media in four languages.

Disaster Relief

Volunteers prepare trees for planting as part of a reforestation project on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. The flood relief project is sponsored by UMCOR and the Manila Episcopal Area. Jhoanna Ragasa reports.

UMCOR supports tree-planting project in Philippines

Mission and Ministry

Volunteers with the Canaveral Port Ministry welcome cruise ship workers on leave while their ships are docked in Port Canaveral, Fla. The ministry provides respite for homesick seafarers far from their home countries. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Port ministry offers seafarers home away from home

Disaster Relief

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

Worship

Taking worship into the wild

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