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Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, gifts Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, with a John Wesley bobblehead on Sept. 6, 2023, while in Italy for the European Methodist Historical Conference. Seated from left are the Rev. Matthew Laferty, director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome; Boggan, Ulrike Schuler with the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and Lara Herrmann, a student and Schuler’s granddaughter. File photo courtesy of Vatican Media.

Archives and History sets big plans

Ambitious plans are brewing at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, in a time when budgets in The United Methodist Church are being cut. Top executive Ashley Boggan talks about those plans and raising the money to pay for them.

Editor's Picks

Annual Conferences

Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of General Conference delegates’ vote in favor of constitutional amendments to carry out the worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session on April 25, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. This year, annual conferences around the globe will hold votes on regionalization and three other amendments to the denomination’s constitution. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Church constitutional amendments head to vote

When United Methodist annual conferences meet this year, lay and clergy voters will determine whether regionalization and other changes become part of the denomination’s constitution.

General Church

United Methodists cheer at a service recognizing newly elected Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel at the Christian Association of Nigeria Secretariat in Jalingo, Taraba State, after his election at the West Africa Central Conference in Ghana Dec. 5-8. Emmanuel has been holding listening sessions across Nigeria’s regional conferences to seek unity and hear concerns from members. Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News.

United Methodists in Nigeria move forward

The United Methodist Church has taken steps toward uniting members, while awaiting recourse from the courts regarding properties and other legal matters.

Annual Conferences

2024 United Methodist annual conference reports

UM News posts the official summaries filed by annual conferences from around the connection. Find the latest reports on our archive page.

Latest News

General Church

A woman helps collect the offering during opening worship service of the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. Overall giving to denomination-wide ministries was down in 2024, compared to 2023. But the denomination’s financial leaders are hopeful that the significantly smaller budget approved at last year’s General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., will be much more in line with the denomination’s giving capacity. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Giving dips in 2024 ahead of smaller budget

General Church

The Rev. Nelly W. Wright of Liberia addresses fellow members of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters about work to determine what in the administrative section of the Book of Discipline applies to the whole United Methodist Church and what can be adaptable. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Effort to reimagine Discipline moves forward

General Church

Due to financial constraints and declining demand, the United Methodist Publishing House has announced it will discontinue Korean and Spanish translations of the Book of Discipline unless alternative funding and distribution methods can be found. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Korean, Spanish versions of Discipline halted

Violence

At least 100 people, including eight United Methodists, have been killed in fighting in Goma, Congo, between the Congolese armed forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. The security situation has continued to deteriorate since the M23’s major offensive on Jan. 23. Image courtesy of Google Maps.

United Methodists killed in Congo conflict

Disaster Relief

Women receive food during a distribution operation in Beni, Congo. With a United Methodist Committee on Relief grant, more than 125 tons of food rations, hygiene products and other supplies were distributed to families who fled their homes due to unrest in the country. Photo courtesy of the East Congo Episcopal Area disaster management office.

Church responds to humanitarian crisis in Congo

General Agencies

Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, speaks in a video being produced by United Methodist Communications. Archives and History’s partnership with United Methodist Communications enables the history agency to share its resources using up-to-date production technology. Photo by Stacey Hagewood, United Methodist Communications.

Communications agency restructures for church’s new day

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Local Church

The Rev. Russell E. Richey speaks during a panel discussion on theological education at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tenn., in 2015. Richey, who died Jan. 19 at his home in Durham, N.C., was a professor at Duke Divinity School in Durham, and former dean of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Richey, influential historian, remembered

Evangelism

Jason Shelton, a sociologist who teaches at the University of Texas, Arlington, is the author of “The Contemporary Black Church: The New Dynamics of African American Religion.” He is also a member of The Village United Methodist Church in DeSoto, Texas, which has used innovative ways to grow the congregation. Photo by Justin Clemons, University of Texas, Arlington.

Research reveals new trends among Black Protestants

Social Concerns

United Methodists in North Carolina and beyond say it’s important for Christians with opposing political views to seek common ground. That’s the idea behind the Western North Carolina Conference’s Purple Church Initiative, which aims to foster dialogue between conservative and progressive church members. Church image by Stephen Kyle Adair; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Looking for middle ground in a divisive era

Mission and Ministry

A woman exits an ambulance after receiving testing during The United Methodist Church’s free health expo in Harare, Zimbabwe, as other patients wait to be seen. The church partnered with the government and Sunningdale Medical Center to offer the free screenings to church members and the community in October. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Patients line up for free church health clinic

General Church

The United Methodist Church’s Committee on Faith and Order met alongside the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters. The Faith and Order Committee, whose members include United Methodist scholars and ecumenical leaders, is responsible for guiding the denomination in informed theological reflection and discernment. It also is helping the standing committee in developing a General Book of Discipline that includes the essentials for the denomination. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Committee begins theological work

Commentaries

The Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Mission can revitalize United Methodism

Churches build bridges to counter hate

The Rev. Mel West. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Mel West.

World news becomes family news

The Rev. Christopher P. Momany. Photo by Kristen Schell.

Resistance is not enough

What does hate feel like in the body?

Coming out with the new Book of Discipline

Confronting hate: What do you wear?

Dr. Katelin Hansen. Photo by Maxine Moore, courtesy of the author.

Deaconesses are still here – let’s invest in them too!

News From UMC Partners

Participants of the Healing through Art Therapy and the Word of God ministry proudly display the artwork they created. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Conference.

Art therapy ministry helps heal

Artist Contreda Navarro-Jewell is using her talents and teaching skills to provide art therapy in Detroit area churches. A member of Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, Mich., Navarro-Jewell teaches children there and has served as the art director for the district’s Urban Methodist Youth Camp during the summer.

Additional Headlines

Congregations

A child chooses a scooter at a Kids Free Christmas Shopping event sponsored by ARK and Velva United Methodist churches in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of the Dakotas Conference Facebook page.

Small churches offer place for kids to shop

Bishop Delores J. Williamston of the Louisiana Conference places a stole on the shoulders of the Rev. Deen Thompson at Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 1. The Rev. Ali Young (far left) of the Louisiana Conference and Thompson's husband, John, also attended. Photo by Susan Ruach, courtesy of the Louisiana Conference.

Elder’s reinstatement marks healing moment

Local Church

Volunteers at Klein United Methodist Church in Spring, Texas, spend Monday through Wednesday cooking turkey and preparing side dishes before welcoming guests on Thanksgiving Day. Photo courtesy of The Texas Conference.

Church Thanksgiving Feast feeds hundreds

On a blessing Sunday, pillowcases are carefully draped over the alter rail creating a beautiful, bright, & colorful display. The New England Conference Pillowcase Project brings comfort to cancer patients. Photo courtesy of the New England Conference.

Pillowcase Project brings comfort to pediatric cancer patients

Multimedia

A portion of Hong Kong at night as seen from Victoria Peak. More than 400,000 migrant domestic workers live in Hong Kong, about five percent of the total population. They cook and clean and care for children, pets, and the elderly. They also at times endure horrible treatment. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodists support migrant workers in Hong Kong

A United Methodist pastor from the Philippines and a deaconess from the U.S. work to empower migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. The migrants are mostly women who often face difficult challenges in both their workplace and their relationship to families back home.

Faith Sharing

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington was dedicated by President Obama on Oct. 16, 2011. Photo by Maile Bradfield, for UM News. Text is from his speech on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Social media graphics from UM News

Mission and Ministry

On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation to mark Earth Day and to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. Participants included Mary Frances Gaston (left) Emily McGinn, students at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

The year in photos

Disaster Relief

The Rev. Holly Cobb McKim, pastor of Spruce Pine United Methodist Church, reads from a list of encouragement cards sent by Sunday school children following Hurricane Helene. Screengrab by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Church plays key role in Helene recovery

Disaster Relief

Church member Sherrie Mayotte views damage to the kitchen at Pensacola United Methodist Church in Burnsville, N.C., after it was flooded by storm runoff following Tropical Storm Helene. The nearby Cane River overflowed its banks and drove a wall of water packed with mud, trees and parts of destroyed homes into the church fellowship hall and kitchen. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Hurricane Helene recovery in N.C.

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Ask The UMC

Worship

Ask The UMC: How do the Sunday readings for Advent differ from year to year?

The Advent readings pursue three different themes in the three different years.

Additional Headlines

Worship

The St. John's United Methodist Church Choir in Lubbock, Texas, performs "My Soul Gives Glory to My God." Photo courtesy of St. John's United Methodist Church.

Ask The UMC: The liturgical history of Lessons and Carols

Ask The UMC series provides insight into legislation that went into effect immediately after the 2024 General Conference and major changes that will go into effect beginning in January, 2025. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask the UMC: Part 6: Opening the door to reaffiliation

Social Concerns

Since the Church’s inception, Methodists have been actively involved in social and political matters in order to build a more peaceful and just world. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church involved in politics?

Ask The UMC: Part 5: Ending disaffliation