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{92CCA5F5-B164-4423-B7E4-72BE994488BD}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-indiana-annual-conferenceJune 3-6, IndianapolisThu, 11 Jun 2026 14:38:37 -0500{4CE47145-8C87-4CF0-BC22-9E17E4C84E31}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/scholar-offers-guide-for-growth-after-divisionThe Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr., a respected scholar of United Methodist leadership, has published “An Aura of Hope” — offering a roadmap for renewal after a season of church disaffiliations.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:00:42 -0500{04342981-7335-445B-9CFC-F38B397A3957}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/african-methodists-pledge-to-speak-out-against-injusticeWesleyan leaders discuss challenges on the continent and applaud the impact of social amenities run by the church.Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:29:37 -0500{60EA663B-6D16-428B-961B-F5F9044CEB57}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/698-students-graduate-from-africa-universityThe United Methodist university’s 32nd commencement celebrated students from 21 countries and the first graduates from its online Global Campus.Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:24:52 -0500{67B9F8DA-3E86-47ED-9F81-29B78CFC62FB}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-canada-church-draw-closerThe United Methodist Church and United Church of Canada have formed an interim covenant with the goal of full communion. Driving the move is increased migration to Canada. Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:42:21 -0500{B282C8EF-BD7F-44D4-BDE4-7A8AB46C1B68}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/charting-new-path-for-african-communicationBishops, communicators and United Methodist Communications staff gathered to develop a creative strategy to keep local churches in the Mid-Africa Regional Conference connected despite power outages, poor roads and more than 450 regional languages.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:56:00 -0500{4C8E159B-398C-4CDE-B595-51040AAD3BEE}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/evangelism-sparks-church-growth-in-kenyaWhen the Nairobi District superintendent started his United Methodist appointment two years ago, he had no churches or members. Now, there are nine congregations in four circuits, and membership has grown to more than 1,400.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:15:00 -0500{71D134EC-FD6F-4D85-8FF6-7FFBEBDDAB9E}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-great-plains-annual-conferenceMay 27-30, Kearney, Neb.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:57:22 -0500{5821BB23-18DE-49B7-957D-CDBD39B3F8CE}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-central-appalachian-missionary-annual-conferenceMay 8-9, Big Creek, KentuckyThu, 04 Jun 2026 15:51:06 -0500{E4CA6130-4449-4850-9FE6-7F2990246B7C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/love-of-neighbor-drives-advocacy-in-political-spacesThe Rev. Keri Cress doesn’t consider herself a political person, but she says her faith moves her to act. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:18:18 -0500{31B6092C-FC6A-4028-89CA-CD4989C3428A}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/another-united-methodist-way-to-look-at-high-courts-voting-decisionCommentary writer pushes back on United Methodist statement calling for political action over recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:04:52 -0500{9C2F4A62-AA17-4112-8A89-793DC333D3CB}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-historians-explore-racial-and-revolutionary-pastAs the U.S. prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, a jurisdictional gathering explores American and Methodist history, past racial oppression and present social challenges.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:07:00 -0500{70255739-CFBA-47A0-97E4-42AA63BD3942}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/southern-africans-live-into-regionalizaionChurch leaders in The United Methodist Church’s Southern Africa Regional Conference craft a roadmap for contextualized mission and ministry.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:06:00 -0500{040410E0-EE04-4DD0-A3B7-281BC980D9C3}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/guest-house-offers-hope-community-for-inmates-familiesVisiting those who are incarcerated, especially on death row, is a complicated and stressful endeavor. Family Reconciliation Guest House in Nashville provides a comfortable, safe and free place for friends and families to stay.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:06:00 -0500{05148E36-9EEA-4A6A-BB91-61CFB70746B1}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/how-churchgoers-can-start-a-grassroots-campaignThe experience of United Women in Faith addressing the affordable housing crisis in Indiana offers lessons for other United Methodists trying to make positive change in their communities. Thu, 28 May 2026 09:43:29 -0500{8E9260B8-E912-429B-AEBB-8F2A437F1A95}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/dog-church-welcomes-people-and-petsA United Methodist church in Little Rock celebrates Earth Day by recognizing God’s care for his people and the pets they love.Wed, 27 May 2026 12:24:00 -0500{AB96DB78-960D-4DB4-B422-623D20A7EA4F}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-urges-vigilance-amid-ebola-outbreakThe United Methodist Church is working to deploy emergency relief efforts on the ground in East Congo, including community awareness campaigns within local churches to curb the spread of the disease.Wed, 27 May 2026 10:49:03 -0500{7C76B455-B0DF-4970-B51D-6812414EF6F4}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/helping-people-hear-the-gospel-in-new-waysMay is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a good time for United Methodist churches to examine ways to improve hearing accessibility.Wed, 27 May 2026 10:23:04 -0500{1998EBA6-A143-4654-A2E5-C1A41435EF7F}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/program-helps-women-build-construction-careersIn a job market rife with low-paying hospitality jobs, getting hired as a construction worker offers a path to a better life for women. An innovative Mississippi program, supported by United Women in Faith, helps them get there.Wed, 27 May 2026 09:20:00 -0500{71A93989-B3E6-44AB-8CF1-118DA5258417}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/social-media-graphics-from-um-newsGraphic for Pentecost available to download and share on social media. Fri, 22 May 2026 10:28:00 -0500{E360E143-C555-41AB-8B10-64418A2142C7}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-hospitals-restore-sight-health-in-sierra-leoneThe United Methodist Church’s medical facilities provide a wide range of care, drawing patients from neighboring countries as well.Fri, 22 May 2026 09:04:00 -0500{5D5B11E9-6EBE-42F5-8DF0-582B634916BF}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-austria-provisional-annual-conferenceMay 14-17, Salzburg, AustriaThu, 21 May 2026 13:16:56 -0500{0D4D2DF8-7617-494A-A720-41350F0EA6EA}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/2026-hungary-romania-annual-conferenceMay 7-10, Szolnok and Budapest, Hungary Thu, 21 May 2026 13:14:37 -0500{08F09F91-802F-4223-B250-FF59F913C149}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/yoga-ministry-stretches-beyond-church-wallsAt a United Methodist church in Florida, a free yoga class is helping people feel good and do good in their community and beyond.Thu, 21 May 2026 13:04:18 -0500{4B727174-7472-4DD4-8C65-ECBE045FFE17}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/latin-american-methodists-stress-unity-amid-church-changesCIEMAL leaders say the historic autonomy of churches in Latin America and the Caribbean has helped the region navigate divisions within The United Methodist Church without deep regional fractures.Wed, 20 May 2026 13:02:17 -0500{F611B477-C9D7-4F95-90C8-3F3692ECC718}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodist-women-called-to-be-unstoppableAt a time of rising threats to basic human rights, the United Methodist women’s organization encouraged its members to put love into action so all people can have the abundant life promised by Jesus. Wed, 20 May 2026 11:33:38 -0500{6B76DD87-B7E8-4D47-846B-31862CBAB574}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-women-urged-to-resist-authoritarianismUnited Methodists Stacey Abrams and her mother, the Rev. Carolyn Abrams, challenged United Women in Faith to disrupt rollbacks to voting rights. Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, also shared her story of bravery in the face of brutality.Mon, 18 May 2026 15:19:06 -0500{98483CAD-C277-4308-8181-7E0EC8F13D77}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/planting-hope-mission-school-journeys-toward-climate-justiceA United Methodist tree-planting initiative in Zimbabwe is providing a living classroom for students while strengthening environmental awareness.Mon, 18 May 2026 11:18:00 -0500{0D01A573-F2DC-44B1-AFC4-910E3EA59303}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/adapted-bicycles-break-barriers-enrich-lives-in-congoThe United Methodist Church provides mobility assistance to people with disabilities in Kamina, including members of other religious denominations.Fri, 15 May 2026 09:45:00 -0500{88F632F9-6F9E-48DC-8728-6F87FA44780C}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/retired-pastor-running-for-georgia-governorOlu Brown, a United Methodist and formerly pastor of a prominent church outside of Atlanta, is campaigning for the Democratic nomination for governor in Georgia. The primary election is May 19.Fri, 15 May 2026 09:43:00 -0500{DE174A11-58F9-493B-B155-A06C790BC244}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/lessons-from-past-shape-jurisdictions-futureUnited Methodist bishops learned more about the legacy of the segregated Central Jurisdiction and history of the jurisdictional system, as leaders contemplate possible changes to that system.Wed, 13 May 2026 12:52:01 -0500{EFEE5234-22DD-4C11-B3BE-9108EFF22F68}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/for-every-righteous-no-there-must-be-a-holy-yesMethodism’s Wesleyan-Holiness heritage holds principles that can be applied to today’s struggles around human dignity. Wed, 13 May 2026 09:31:00 -0500{EB5EC917-AF76-45F4-A08B-8F0D5E219060}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/black-church-leaders-learn-worship-wisdom-at-instituteJunius B. Dotson Institute for Worship and Music in the Black Church and Beyond and SBC21 team up for “Shifting the Atmosphere” conference.Wed, 13 May 2026 09:17:49 -0500{B819E2BE-DE11-4CD7-91CB-022F17D99A87}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/connecting-with-creation-on-sacred-groundUnited Methodist pastor launches mobile walking/spirituality app to spotlight creation care and Indigenous history and to encourage action.Mon, 11 May 2026 09:10:00 -0500{481E69D6-963B-4851-AD5B-CF4748001F4B}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/drawing-closer-to-god-through-danceUnited Methodist church in Zimbabwe hosts Zumba classes to help community members shake off stress and connect physically and spiritually.Fri, 08 May 2026 09:39:09 -0500{D1D6FDBF-BD58-449F-8666-C81A5EA54B4A}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/africa-university-gets-first-ame-member-on-development-boardMonifa McKnight hopes to provide a bridge between United Methodists and the African Methodist Episcopal Church for the 34-year-old Pan-African institution.Fri, 08 May 2026 09:13:00 -0500{790D8AE1-2D86-43D8-B7F9-6201C31E1C75}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishops-children-shed-light-on-life-with-their-momsThe daughters of four United Methodist episcopal leaders share what life is like when their mothers are the leaders of hundreds of churches.Thu, 07 May 2026 13:13:00 -0500{FB89E5A7-2CC9-4755-8EFE-0474DBD0C04B}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/as-us-250th-nears-bishops-discuss-democracyUnited Methodist bishops and scholars from around the world examined Christian faith and democracy at the spring Council of Bishops meeting. The discussions came as democracy faces threats around the world. Wed, 06 May 2026 13:49:59 -0500{246E0D25-86F9-4835-9F9E-1C07D6D6B1CC}https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-supports-congolese-refugees-in-burundiThe United Methodist Church, with support from UMCOR, provides vital infrastructure and food to the Musenyi camp, which has doubled its population because of ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo.Wed, 06 May 2026 09:22:00 -0500