UM News Digest - Feb. 10, 2025

USAID freeze strikes Africa University
What’s new in the Book of Discipline
Church was stop on Underground Railroad

“Some people are not eating; they have no idea where their next dollar will come from.” — James H. Salley, on the impact of the USAID freeze on Africa University.

An instructor and student share a teaching microscope at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, in 2017. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

USAID freeze strikes Africa University

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — At Africa University, programs researching malaria and tuberculosis were halted and staffers on those efforts were no longer getting their paychecks after funding from the United States Agency on International Development was suspended. The freeze had an immediate $1.2 million impact on the United Methodist pan-African university. Jim Patterson reports.

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Ask The UMC

Series looks at what’s new in the Discipline

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, is examining changes made in the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline. The series will examine the changes in five different areas, with Part 1 on changes that affect local churches, annual conferences and general agencies. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards offers an analysis.

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WJZ-CBS

Church honors its Underground Railroad history

BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — On an ordinary Sunday, you'll hear the Rev. Isaiah Redd Sr. preaching to his small congregation of Emmarts United Methodist Church. The church's members discovered it was a safehouse stop on the Underground Railroad after finding artifacts inside the church. Now the church is working to preserve its history and its current ministry. Janay Reece has the story.
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Florida Conference

Church camp provides transitional housing

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — Homelessness is a significant problem in central Florida’s Lake County, and it cuts across all lines. To help address the problem, Warren Willis United Methodist Camp and Conference Center is working with nonprofit Find Feed & Restore. The camp has provided 25 rooms to the group for transitional housing, with plans to add 25 more. Joe Henderson reports.
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North Carolina Conference

Conference appeals Fifth Avenue church ruling

GARNER, N.C. — The North Carolina Conference has filed an appeal with the North Carolina Supreme Court in the long-running case involving the closure of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church. On Dec. 31, the North Carolina Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit brought by members of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church after the North Carolina Conference closed the church in 2023.
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UM News: Top court backs conference on church closure

United Women in Faith

Women’s group offers prayer guide

NEW YORK — United Women in Faith is offering a 2025 daily prayer guide, titled “Generations of Grace.” The prayer guide is available in both print and digital editions.
To order print
To order print and digital

Discipleship Ministries

Black History Month resources

Resources from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries are available for churches observing February as Black History Month. The offerings include hymns, liturgies, a worship series and more.
Read press release

The Caring Congregation

Webinar looks at care ministry

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Caring Congregation, a United Methodist-led ministry, will offer a national care ministry webinar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. U.S. Central time Feb. 21 and 22. This livestreamed introductory course offers training in prayer, listening, spiritual guidance, visitation, care for the dying and organization of a church’s care ministry.
Learn more and register