UM News Digest - March 24, 2025

UM News Digest - March 24, 2025

Youth ministries help historic churches stay vital
Bishop found her voice in the military
Taking faith into the legislature

“The healthy survival of our neighborhoods and our congregations depends on churches bringing to life the Gospel of Jesus.” — The Rev. P. Devon Brown, senior pastor at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Chicago.

Children in a science, technology, engineering and math class at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles pose for a photo with Ricardo Mowatt, their teacher. File photo courtesy of Holman United Methodist Church.

Youth ministries help historic churches stay vital
LOS ANGELES (UM News) — Many historic African American Methodist churches grew during the 20th century Great Migration that brought Black citizens from the rural South to urban communities in the North and West. Two such churches, St. Mark United Methodist in Chicago and Holman United Methodist in Los Angeles, established revered legacies of spiritual and social ministry that are still vital today. John W. Coleman has their stories in Part 3 of UM News’ series on legacy Black United Methodist churches.

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Louisiana Conference
Bishop found her voice in the military
BATON ROUGE, La. — On the eve of her 17th birthday, Bishop Delores J. Williamston took an oath to serve her country in the Kansas Army National Guard. Her military career would span over two decades. Retiring as a sergeant first class, her years in uniform were the foundation of a profound commitment to leadership and ministry. The Rev. Todd Rossnagel has her story.
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United Methodist Communications
Taking faith into the legislature
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Churches are good at food drives, but not as good at food justice, says Kathy Webb, a cradle United Methodist who has worked in Arkansas politics for decades. She advocates for issues such as housing, health care access, voting rights and criminal justice reform. In the latest “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, she talks with Crystal Caviness about how her faith integrates with social justice.
Listen to podcast

Dakotas Conference
High school student answers call to leadership
JAMESTOWN, N.D. — While many young people are stepping away from the church, a high school student at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is stepping up to serve as church council chair. Jett Wharton said he took the position to learn more about leadership and to change the way adults sometimes view high school kids. Doreen Gosmire reports.
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Idaho Capital Sun
Judge denies request to pause Idaho’s library law
BOISE, Idaho — A federal judge has denied an Idaho coalition’s request to stop the enforcement of House Bill 710 — a law that took effect in July requiring Idaho public libraries to relocate items that visitors deem harmful to children or risk facing legal action. The coalition included Collister United Methodist Church, which maintains a church library. But the judge dismissed the church and some other plaintiffs from the case. Mia Maldonado reports.
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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.

Discipleship Ministries
The spirit-led flow of discipleship
ATLANTA — The annual Fresh Expressions conference took a more spontaneous approach this year, with a flexible agenda. Fresh Expressions is trying to build ministries around mutual interests, frequently meeting outside of church. “From the start, we decided to hold the national gathering with an open hand rather than a tightly gripped itinerary constricting any interruptions,” write the Rev. Michael Adam Beck and Jessica Taylor of Fresh Expressions. “We intentionally stepped into a prayerful space where something real could emerge.”
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UM News story: Can Fresh Expressions rescue the lonely?

Higher Education and Ministry
Scholarship deadline approaching
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The deadline for United Methodists students to apply for scholarships from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is March 31. A list of scholarship opportunities is available online. Each applicant may apply once per year for a scholarship from Higher Education and Ministry.
Read press release
See list of scholarships