“Lost souls do not just want our music; they need food, shelter and clothing.” — John P. Mangudya, a member of Chisipiti United Methodist Church, on expanding men’s programs in Zimbabwe.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
Zimbabwe men’s organization moves beyond music
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Zimbabwe East Conference’s men’s organization is turning to income-generating projects for sustainability. Renowned globally for winning souls to Christ through spiritually uplifting music, members of Mubvuwi we United Methodist Church are looking for new ways to help their community and boost church finances. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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California-Nevada Conference
Churches celebrate merger on Pentecost
OAKLAND, Calif. — Two churches are coming together to celebrate their merger and consecrate their new shared ministry as Lake Merritt United Methodist Church during Pentecost Sunday on May 19. California-Nevada Conference Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño will preach. The Revs. Sunae Cho and Dale Tremper have the story.
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Texas Conference
Texas Conference helping after floods
HOUSTON — The Texas Conference is responding to flooding that has occurred in southeast Texas this month. The Rev. Godfrey Hubert, disaster readiness coordinator, gives a report on what’s been done already and how United Methodists can work with the conference in ongoing efforts to help.
Read report
California-Pacific Conference
Town rejects church proposal, returns grant
CALEXICO, Calif. — The border town of Calexico plans to return a $2 million state grant for aiding asylum seekers after the Calexico City Council voted down United Methodist proposals to provide that aid. Calexico UM Mission submitted two proposals — to continue work the mission has been doing since 2018 to help asylum seekers reach their next destination and to create a day center. Alyssa Fisher reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Happy birthday, Church!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodists and other Christians around the world will celebrate Pentecost on May 19, which is 50 days after Easter. United Methodist Communications has released a new video to help people learn more about the holy event described in Acts 2 that led to the birth of the Christian church.
Watch video
Premier Christian Newscast, Religion Media Centre
British podcasts feature United Methodists
LONDON — Developments in The United Methodist Church are gaining attention in John Wesley’s homeland. The British podcast Premier Christian Newscast featured United Methodist Bishops Gregory V. Palmer and Tom Berlin, among others, in a discussion of church disaffiliations. In a separate podcast, the Religion Media Centre interviewed Bishop Mande Muyombo, the Rev. Lindsey Baynham Freeman, Duke University researchers and others about General Conference decisions on LGBTQ inclusion.
Listen to Premier Christian Newscast
Listen to Religion Media Centre
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Retired Bishop Humper of Sierra Leone dies
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has announced the death of retired Bishop Joseph C. Humper, who passed away on May 7. He served the Sierra Leone Conference from 1992 to 2008. Humper’s funeral is scheduled for June 9 at King Memorial United Methodist Church in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Read press release
New Federation of Asian American United Methodists
Church decries persecution of Indian Christians
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — General Conference on April 30 overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in India by the Hindu nationalist movement and calling on the U.S. government to take action.
Read press release
Read resolution
COMMENTARIES
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.
Faith and Leadership
Pentecost spirit can prevail over Babel headlines
DURHAM, N.C. — The tower of Babel was built as a bulwark against multiculturalism. The project failed spectacularly because of God’s intervention, writes the Rev. Edgardo A. Colón-Emeric, dean of Duke Divinity School. When headlines overwhelm with Babel-like troubles, Colón-Emeric reminds Christians that Pentecost is here.
Read commentary
EVENTS
Sunday, May 26
Peace with Justice Sunday
Monday, June 24-Friday, June 28
Fractured Ground microcourse
TOP STORIES FROM THE WEEK
Historic assembly sets United Methodists on new path
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — General Conference brought big changes, particularly the removal of constraints on ministry with and by LGBTQ people. Now, The United Methodist Church faces the challenge of remaining a big-tent denomination that can evangelize in diverse communities and countries. Heather Hahn has an analysis on the assembly’s impact.
Read story
See General Conference legislative recap
Bishop Minnick led with openness, grace
RALEIGH, N.C. (UM News) — Bishop Carlton P. Minnick championed women in ministry and helped lead the Council of Bishops to speak out against U.S. nuclear weapons policy. He was admired for his Bible teaching and open, grace-filled leadership. Minnick, who oversaw conferences in Mississippi and North Carolina, died May 4 at age 96. Sam Hodges reports.
Read feature obituary
Read Council of Bishops obituary
Many hands help build church medical clinic
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — A dream that began nearly 20 years ago at Bel Air United Methodist Church in Maryland recently became reality with the opening of the new Munyarari Mission Clinic in Zimbabwe. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
Holston Conference
Traditionalist pastor staying United Methodist
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Rev. Randy Frye, pastor of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, is a traditionalist who served as a Holston Conference delegate to the recent General Conference, which removed restrictions on full LGBTQ participation in the denomination. Frye praised the spirit of this General Conference, his sixth as a delegate. As for changes in The United Methodist Church, he told writer Annette Spence, “I can live into this new reality and help my church live into it, too.”
Read story
Council of Bishops
Bishops clarify relationship with new denomination
WASHINGTON — While still holding a commitment to Christian unity, the Council of Bishops released a statement clarifying that at this point, The United Methodist Church has no official relationship with the Global Methodist Church. The new, theologically conservative denomination launched in 2022 and has mostly recruited its membership from the United Methodist fold. Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone, on behalf of the bishops, called upon the members of the Global Methodist Church “to formally recognize The United Methodist Church as an authentic and valid denomination and to cease all efforts to coerce members of The United Methodist Church to join their fellowship.”
Read statement
COB press release: Bishops plan to promote regionalization
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