United Methodist News

United Methodist Church Handbook | ResourceUMC Equip your congregation with a clear understanding of The United Methodist Church. This updated, digital handbook supports new member classes, ongoing learning opportunities, and leadership training, ...

The Handbook of The United Methodist Church is now available. The digital, print-ready resource is designed to help people understand who United Methodists are, how we are connected and how we live out our shared mission together. www.resourceumc.org/en/topics/un...

With DEI dismantled, ministries still work for diversity | UMNews.org Several United Methodist annual conferences have staff members whose job titles call for them to promote multicultural ministries and racial equity. They’re doing this work at a time when DEI…

Several United Methodist annual conferences have staff members whose job titles call for them to promote multicultural ministries and racial equity. They’re doing this work at a time when DEI policies have been targeted by the Trump administration.

The Rev. Christine Potter says donating a kidney to a friend and colleague is one of the most powerful experiences she’s gone through. She met Barb Muench at Emporia First #UMC and later hired her to work at Cafe Quetzal, a #UMC coffee ministry and church. www.greatplainsumc.org/newsdetail/t...

Rethinking wealth and our Christian responsibility | UMC.org There is discomfort when it comes to thinking about money and its relationship to our faith, but reflecting on our wealth can lead us to a life of transformational service.

The Rev. Elizabeth Mae Magill, church planter, leader in creative ministry and advocate for the unhoused, has a new book that explores how people can use their possessions to make the world a better place.

Church must do messy work of restoring community | UMNews.org The world is watching to see if Christians can do what we proclaim and love across the chasms that defeat everyone else, writes the Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera.

The world is watching to see if Christians can do what we proclaim and love across the chasms that defeat everyone else, writes the Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera.

Dare to take risks to move church forward, pastor says | UMNews.org The Rev. Stephen Handy envisions more United Methodist churches using the spare space in their buildings to build partnerships in their neighborhoods.

The Rev. Stephen Handy envisions more United Methodist churches using the spare space in their buildings to build partnerships in their neighborhoods.

Bishop Wilson shares thoughts on Senate Bill 244 Bishop David Wilson this morning issued a statement regarding Kansas Senate Bill 244, which was enacted when the Legislature overturned Gov. Laura Kelly's veto. Download a printable copy of the statement...

Great Plains Conference Bishop David Wilson is asking all United Methodists pray with him for the peace of mind and safety of transgender people after Kansas enacted a law, with no grace period, that invalidates identification documents.

A steadfast witness in Willis: Thomas Chapel UMC reopens its doors “Small but mighty.” That’s how church members describe the enduring presence of Thomas Chapel UMC in Willis, Texas. Despite challenges and temporary closure, the church is reopening its doors to...

What’s four years when a church goes back to the 1860s? Thomas Chapel #UMC in Willis, Texas, is hosting Sunday services again, after a four-year pause due to the pandemic and then freezing weather that made renovation of the church building necessary.

Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops Dedicate Lahaina UMC Worship Space - Western Jurisdiction Photos and written by Dr. Alyssa Fisher, Director of Communications, California-Pacific Annual Conference Last week, hymns echoed from the property at Lahaina United Methodist Church for the first…

Hymns echoed from the property at Lahaina #UMC for the first time since the church building burned down in the Lahaina fire on Aug. 9, 2023. On Jan. 30, bishops and others consecrated the newly built Garden Sanctuary for Christian worship.

Is God Calling You to Environmental Work? Become a Global Ministries EarthKeeper On Nov. 4, Global Ministries commissioned 72 new EarthKeepers during an online livestreamed service, making the 2025 EarthKeepers class one of the largest in the program’s 10-year history.

Members of the Global Ministries @umcmission.bsky.social EarthKeepers class of November 2025 are already making a difference back home.

United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the New Middle East War We know that our hearts are heavy as we witness the mounting loss of life from the ongoing military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, and from retaliatory strikes by Iran. Families ...

Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the #UMC Council of Bishops, calls for prayer amid ongoing military strikes by the U.S., Israel and Iran. 'We stand resolute in remembering the uncompromising call of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers'" www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/c...

We wish you a blessed second Sunday of #Lent. "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him." — John 3:16-17

Pastor Impersonation Scams: What Church Leaders Need to Know Churches nationwide are experiencing a rise in scams that impersonate pastors through urgent emails and texts requesting money, gift cards, or sensitive information—putting congregants and staff at…

Across the country, churches and ministries are seeing a troubling rise in identity spoofing scams. The General Council on Finance and Administration offers tips to help pastors and congregants avoid falling prey to such scams.

United Methodists traveled great distances to “Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice” in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 25, 2026, to stand in witness for the rights of immigrants. www.umnews.org/en/news/unit...

The Rev. Adam Hamilton, founding pastor of Resurrection, the largest United Methodist church in the denomination, announced Feb. 27 that he is discerning whether to enter the race for U.S. Senate from Kansas as an independent.

Central African United Methodists celebrate 33 new pastors | UMNews.org The United Methodist Church’s ordinations in the country mark a spiritual renaissance for communities long deprived of clergy.

Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe ordained 33 new pastors in the Central African Republic, bringing the number of United Methodist ministers in the country to 35. The ordinations ended years of constraints related to the lack of clergy.

United Methodists lead witness for immigrants | UMNews.org More than 2,000 people of faith marched around the U.S. Capitol to witness to the Christian faith and to let immigrants know that they do not stand alone.

More than 2,000 people gathered on Capitol Hill to worship, sing and march to bring attention to the plight of immigrants in the United States. The event brought together United Methodist bishops, clergy and laity alongside faith leaders from several traditions. www.umnews.org/en/news/unit...

How does the church grow? That question framed the 2026 Growing Church Conference. Launched in 2001 as a grassroots movement, it has evolved from a jurisdictional initiative into a nationwide event welcoming pastors serving cross-racially & cross-culturally.

www.umnews.org/en/news/grow...

United Methodist leaders were participants in a webinar focused on the denomination's new vision statement’s call to “serve joyfully.” That call has roots not only in Scripture but also in the history of the Wesleyan movement. Heather Hahn reports.

www.umnews.org/en/news/comm...

Episcopalians and United Methodists mark Wesley Feast Day with prayer for deeper unity The The Episcopal Church commemorates John and Charles Wesley on March 3, honoring their role in the Methodist movement and inviting shared prayer with the The United Methodist Church. The prayer asks...

The Episcopal Church observes the Feast Day of John and Charles Wesley each March 3. This year, Episcopalians and United Methodists are invited to join together in celebrating the day with prayer as the 2 denominations work toward full communion.

Led by Indigenous music expert, Lincoln UMC choir debuts Cherokee anthem LINCOLN — In both her scholarly pursuit and her love of Indigenous art and culture, Dr. Mary Young has opened her mind and her heart to Native American music. 

The director of music and worship arts at Saint Paul #UMC-Lincoln, NE is bringing Native American music to the congregation. Mary Young led the chancel choir Feb. 8 as it performed the world premiere of a choral anthem by Cherokee composer James Green.

Overseas Filipino workers celebrate faith in a faraway land | UMNews.org Overseas Filipino workers and migrants gathered to celebrate the founding The United Methodist Church in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Did you there is a #UMC congregation in Abu Dhabi? Overseas Filipino workers and migrants, by three #UMC bishops, gathered to celebrate the founding The United Methodist Church in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Portland's Black Swimming Initiative has roots in Lincoln Street UMC Black Swimming Initiative was founded by Lincoln Street UMC member Emily Lighthipe and fellow triathlete Morgan Spriggs in 2020 to get more Black people invested in water sports by reducing the barriers...

The Black Swimming Initiative was founded by Lincoln Street #UMC member Emily Lighthipe and fellow triathlete Morgan Spriggs in 2020. Now, in its sixth year, the Black Swimming Initiative is celebrating 1,000 swim lessons given.

We in the #UMC wish you a blessed first Sunday in #Lent. "Jesus responded, 'Go away, Satan, because it’s written, you will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.' The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him." — Matthew 4:10-11

"Christ in the Desert" by Ivan Kramskoi, 1872.

Baguio Episcopal Area equips faith leaders | UMNews.org The Baguio Episcopal Area of the Philippines Regional Conference held a three-day 2026 BEA Convocation with the theme “Bagnos iti Panagdaliasat,” meaning guide to the journey.

The Baguio Episcopal Area of the Philippines Regional Conference held a three-day 2026 BEA Convocation with the theme “Bagnos iti Panagdaliasat,” meaning guide to the journey.

A clean page for a critical time | UMNews.org Moving into a new year, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is working to meet the urgent needs of Black congregations.

Moving into a new year, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is working to meet the urgent needs of Black congregations.

Resurrection: 10 people describe the moment they felt God call them to ministry PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. -- Resurrection, the annual youth retreat hosted by Holston Conference, is as spry as ever after four decades of changing lives ...

Resurrection, the Holston Conference annual youth retreat, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Because the gathering has inspired young people to answer God’s call to full-time ministry, Annette Spence asked 10 clergy and lay people to share their own experiences.

United Methodists in Nigeria celebrate growth, unity | UMNews.org With a focus on evangelism and income-generating projects, United Methodist bishop says church is thriving spiritually and economically.

With a focus on evangelism and income-generating projects, the United Methodist bishop in Nigeria says church is thriving spiritually and economically.

Making regionalization a reality for the church | UMNews.org United Methodist leaders have embarked on a significant reimagining of the Book of Discipline. They also heard an update on the formation of a U.S. regional conference.

United Methodist leaders are working to make regionalization a reality. They have embarked on a significant reimagining of the Book of Discipline. They also heard an update on the formation of a U.S. regional conference.
www.umnews.org/en/news/maki...

US threats to Greenland challenge church | UMNews.org A United Methodist pastor from the U.S. who serves in Denmark shared the ongoing impact of U.S. aggression on international relations. He also shared what it means for the church.

A United Methodist pastor from the U.S. who serves in Denmark shared the ongoing impact of U.S. aggression on international relations. He also shared what it means for the church. www.umnews.org/en/news/us-t...