Leadership

The Rev. Dale Caldwell greets a family on the campaign trail in Burlington, N.J. Caldwell, a United Methodist pastor, becomes New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and secretary of state on Jan. 20. Photo courtesy of the Mikie Sherrill for Governor Campaign.

Pastor prepares to step into N.J. elected office

The Rev. Dale Caldwell, a United Methodist, cites his family’s history of public service as inspiration for his own. He said he hopes “to be a voice for all people and all communities in New Jersey.”

Faith Sharing

Peter Krüger plants an apple tree at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Jürgen, where the United Methodist congregation in Flensburg, Germany, meets. The tree planting is part of the “Hope on the Way” campaign initiated by United Methodist Bishop Werner Philipp (standing at left), who leads the Germany Regional Conference. Photo by Isabel Philipp.

Church in Germany plants seeds of hope

Bishop Werner Philipp has launched an initiative titled “Hope on the Way,” which is rooted in the everyday life of local congregations across Germany.

Bishops

Retired Bishop José Gamboa Jr. served as the first resident bishop of the Davao Episcopal Area in the southern Philippines. He died Dec. 22 at age 97. Photo courtesy of Union Theological Seminary Philippines.

Bishop Gamboa remembered as humble shepherd

e educator and trailblazing United Methodist leader pioneered mission in the Philippines’ Davao Episcopal Area. Gamboa died Dec. 22 at age 97.

Faith Stories

The Rev. Øyvind Helliesen, a member of The United Methodist Church’s top court since 2016, died Nov. 25, 2025. At the time of his death, he was the Judicial Council’s vice president. Photo by Kristine Helliesen.

Øyvind Helliesen mourned as ‘sage’ amid tumult

The Rev. Øyvind Helliesen served on The United Methodist Church’s top court — providing crucial guidance to the denomination in a time of division and disaffiliations. He died at age 69.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now