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UM News Digest - April 11, 2025
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“I know The United Methodist Church members will be role models. Those who are hungry cannot hear your sermons, so you have to focus on projects and development.” — Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye
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Bishops Daniel Wandabula (at left in purple robe) and Emmanuel Sinzohagera welcome Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye and First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye to the installation celebration at Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, Burundi, on March 29. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications.
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Burundi celebrates new bishop, episcopal area
GITEGA, Burundi (UM News) — Over 4,000 people gathered in Burundi’s political capital to celebrate the establishment of The United Methodist Church’s new Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area and installation of its first bishop, Emmanuel Sinzohagera. The president of Burundi, church members and civic leaders attended the colorful event, which featured local traditional music and dance and several church choirs. Eveline Chikwanah has the story. |
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The Rev. Rushing Kimball stands next to a sign for Broadway United Methodist Church in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy of Kimball, Broadway United Methodist Church.
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Orlando churches face anti-LGBTQ protests
ORLANDO, Fla. (UM News) — United Methodist churches in central Florida have been among the congregations targeted in recent months by anti-LGBTQ protesters threatening to disrupt worship. One LGBTQ-affirming United Methodist church now has hired an off-duty police officer to provide security. Heather Hahn reports. |
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John Kodjo (standing), a member of Mapamboli United Methodist Church in Kinshasa, Congo, tries to salvage things from his flooded home. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.
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Floods devastate United Methodists in Congo
KINSHASA, Congo (UM News) — United Methodists are among those picking up the pieces after devastating floods claimed at least 33 lives and destroyed thousands of homes in Congo’s capital. The floodwaters damaged the homes of some 100 church members, as well as two United Methodist churches. The Rev. Fiston Okito reports. |
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Global Ministries, Higher Education and Ministry
Boards hear call to stand on side of the Gospel
ATLANTA — Directors of two of The United Methodist Church’s program agencies, both international in scope, were challenged by their shared leader to strengthen their work in response to suffering intensified by reduction in U.S. federal funds. Neither the United Methodist Boards of Global Ministries or Higher Education and Ministries receives federal funds. But Roland Fernandes said cutbacks in funding of international and domestic programs are creating a worldwide humanitarian crisis. Elliott Wright reports.
Read story
UM News: Church grapples with loss of foreign aid
United Methodist Communications
Bishop discusses gifts of the Spirit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Discernment, peace and reason are the characteristics that belong to Sophia Wisdom, a spiritual gift that is referred to in the Bible several times. A new episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast welcomes Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences as she discusses this spiritual wisdom and how it can transform lives.
Listen to podcast
Holston Conference
Easter offerings dedicated beyond church walls
ALCOA, Tenn. — Local churches in Holston Conference are choosing to dedicate their Easter or Lenten offerings for chosen ministries outside their own walls. The beneficiaries vary and include refugee services, a United Methodist camp, a university’s campus ministries and Habitat for Humanity. Annette Spence has the story.
Read story |
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Dakotas Conference
Fifth Sundays set aside for service
HARRISBURG, S.D. — Four months in 2025 have five Sundays, and members of Harrisburg United Methodist Church are doing a service project on those days as a different kind of worship. On those Sundays in March, June, August and November, church members gather for prayer, song and announcements and then work together on a service project. On March 30, the project was preparing meals for the hungry. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
Read story
Michigan Conference
Church members hit the road for Helene cleanup
LANSING, Mich. — United Methodists from Michigan helped remove tree stumps and other debris last month when 15 volunteers traveled to Georgia to contribute to storm cleanup. Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern United States in September, taking over 240 lives and causing widespread destruction. The catastrophic storm caused an estimated $78.7 billion in damage. James Deaton reports.
Read story
No Digest on Good Friday
There will be no UM News Digest on April 18 in observance of Good Friday. The weekly Digest will be delivered on April 16. UM News wishes everyone a blessed Holy Week. |
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United Methodist Communications
Agency releases annual report
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Communications has released its 2024 annual report, highlighting the agency’s activities and initiatives supporting The United Methodist Church worldwide. “2024 was an exciting and transformative year for United Methodist Communications,” said the agency’s top executive, Dan Krause.
Read press release
Read report
UM News: Communications agency restructures for church’s new day |
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Photo by Crystal Caviness, United Methodist Communications
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Building peace in a dangerously polarized US
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (UM News) — A United Methodist Peace Conference drew some 200 clergy and laity to discuss breaking down national divisions. A number of United Methodists at the conference also joined in one of the nationwide Hands Off! protests against the Trump administration’s impact on government services and human rights. Heather Hahn has the stories.
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Photo by truthseeker08, courtesy of Pixabay
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Death doula helps navigate end-of-life care
DENVER (UM News) — A new Iliff School of Theology course aims to give pastors and others the foundation they need to support the dying and their families. Iliff, one of 13 United Methodist seminaries in the U.S., also has started a certificate program on the topic. Thirteen students signed up for the first Foundations of Death Care course. Jim Patterson reports.
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Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News
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Nigeria women’s group offers free health expo
SHONGOM, Nigeria (UM News) — More than 100 people received health care, medicine, food and other supplies during a day of outreach organized by The United Methodist Church’s women’s organization in the Northern Nigeria Conference. In addition to medical care, the women preached the Gospel, sang and led prayer sessions. Ibrahim Babangida has the story.
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Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News
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Home sharing a ‘win-win’ for couple, student
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — When retired pastor the Rev. John Collett and his wife, Rita, heard that students at a nearby college needed summer housing, they stepped up to help. Through the home-sharing platform Nesterly, the Colletts rented a room in their home to a young person who had been attending their church, Belmont United Methodist. Lilla Marigza has the story.
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United Methodist News is sent by United Methodist Communications
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