UM News Digest - March 19, 2025

UM News Digest - March 19, 2025

United Methodists react to Duterte arrest
Borehole offers hope to Burundi town
Youth respond at IGNITE

“The road to justice is long and difficult, but we will not give up.” — United Methodist deaconess Rubylin G. Litao, co-founder of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a coalition of victims’ families and advocates.

United Methodist deaconesses Norma Dollaga (right) and Rubylin Litao talk with Bienvenido and Estrella Nonay in Caloocan, Philippines. The Nonays’ son Bernardo was assassinated in 2018. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodists react to Duterte arrest
CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines (UM News) — United Methodists are voicing a mixture of relief and resolve for justice following the arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The arrest follows years of investigation into the thousands of extrajudicial killings committed under Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.” The deaconesses who started Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a coalition of victims’ families and advocates, say the arrest is a powerful moment for the families and Philippine society as a whole. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.

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United Women in Faith: Deaconesses demand justice

Christine Ntamubano expresses gratitude to The United Methodist Church in Burundi for providing clean drinking water closer to her home. Photo by Jérôme Ndayisenga, UM News.

Borehole offers hope to Burundi town
RUBURIZI, Burundi (UM News) — To combat water-borne diseases common in the region and to protect women and girls, The United Methodist Church drilled a well in the Burundi Conference. Five thousand people living in the area now have access to drinking water. The borehole is the result of a project funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Jérôme Ndayisenga has the story, which coincides with World Water Day, an annual United Nations observance on March 22 that highlights the importance of fresh water.

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Peninsula-Delaware Conference
Youth respond at IGNITE
OCEAN CITY, Md. — For some, it was the emotional worship that made IGNITE a memorable event. Other young people cited the speakers, music, games, art and even mosh pits as highlights of the March 7-9 conference for youth. The theme was “&Go,” with the hope that the Spirit will lead participants in new directions in their homes, churches and communities. Melissa Lauber reports.
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Upper New York Conference
Snowshoes donated to retreat center
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Twenty-five used pairs of snowshoes will help boost the fun quotient at the Skye Farm Camp and Retreat Center in Warrensburg. The shoes were donated by Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, which gave the shoes away instead of selling them in their winter sports equipment and ski sale. Winter adventures with snowshoes have made meaningful memories for many in the Skye Farm community, and it’s a part of the culture of the camp that the staff are eager to revive. Hannah Lasher has the story.
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Fox 2 Detroit
Union head Shawn Fain addresses congregation
DETROIT — Central United Methodist Church, known for its activism and social justice work, shared its pulpit on March 16 with UAW Leader Shawn Fain. The union’s name stands for United Auto, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers. Fain said greedy corporations and chief executive officers see working people as tools to be used and thrown away. Ingrid Kelley has the story.
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UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.

Church and Society
Remembering neighbors for Women’s History Month
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Rev. Maxine Allen, a retired elder in the Arkansas Conference, shares her perspective on what it means to be a neighbor. She writes about how a community of women came together in a time of crisis, even amid violence unleashed against her neighbor and fellow United Methodist Carlotta Walls LaNier, who was among the Little Rock Nine who desegregated Central High School.
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World Council of Churches
Ecumenical head condemns Middle East attacks
GENEVA — The Rev. Jerry Pillay, top executive of the World Council of Churches, expressed deep alarm and grief over the deadly attack on Gaza carried out by Israeli forces on March 17-18, killing more than 400 people. He also denounced U.S. airstrikes in Yemen. The United Methodist Church is a founding member of the World Council of Churches.
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The Upper Room
Retreats to deepen spirituality
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Applications are being accepted for a two-year spiritual formation program that begins in November. The Upper Room Academy for Spiritual Formation consists of eight five-day sessions held quarterly over two years, fostering a sustainable rhythm of retreat and return that promotes spiritual growth and renewal.
Read press release