UM News Digest - Feb. 5, 2025

Archives and History sets big plans
Denominational giving dips in 2024
Clergy in Wichita respond to tragedy

“I truly, truly love what I do. … It’s so much fun to help people reconnect with the roots of their faith and get them energized and excited about what it means to be United Methodist.” — Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, gifts Pope Francis with a John Wesley bobblehead on Sept. 6, 2023, while in Italy for the European Methodist Historical Conference. File photo courtesy of Vatican Media.

Archives and History sets big plans

MADISON, N.J. (UM News) — Ambitious plans are brewing at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History. Projects include the further development of the LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center and a massive searchable database a decade down the road. Jim Patterson has a Q&A with top executive Ashley Boggan.

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Giving dips in 2024 ahead of smaller budget

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Collections for United Methodist denomination-wide ministries dropped in 2024, compared to 2023. However, United Methodist financial leaders expect the denomination’s significantly smaller 2025-28 budget will better align with giving going forward. A new campaign called United in Impact aims to show the importance of connectional giving. Heather Hahn reports.

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Mission-covenant deadline extended to Feb. 28

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church has extended to Feb. 28 the deadline for signing up to support 140 global missionaries through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. As of Feb. 3, more than 30 churches and individuals had signed up to support 108 missionaries. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story, which can be read in the original Korean version or with a Google translation option for English.

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Great Plains Conference
Clergy in Wichita respond to tragedy
TOPEKA, Kan. — Wichita clergy are offering consolation after a plane and Army helicopter collided Jan. 29 in Washington, D.C., resulting in 67 deaths. The plane’s flight originated in Wichita. The Rev. Jeff Gannon, senior pastor of Wichita Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, preached on “How to Deal with Tragedy,” while video screens at the church showed pictures of the passengers and Army personnel. At Wichita First United Methodist Church, the Rev. Amy Lippoldt gave a prayer while candles were lit, one for each passenger on American Eagle Flight 5342 and the three on the U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. David Burke has the story.
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Missouri Conference
Homes winterized by Monett church
MONETT, Mo. — Members of First United Methodist Church expanded their weekly food distribution ministry by adding winterization of homes following a survey of local needs. Plastic sheeting, weather stripping and door sweeps were added to homes to keep the inhabitants warm and improve energy efficiency. Fred Koenig has the story.
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Council of Bishops
Bishops urge Trump to restore foreign aid
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops has submitted a letter to President Trump requesting he rescind his executive order suspending U.S. foreign assistance. Through the work of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, the bishops’ letter says, “we have often partnered with U.S. relief offices and efforts and learned how U.S. aid fosters global stability, alleviates suffering, and promotes the well-being of communities in need.”
Read letter

Judicial Council
Church court releases spring docket
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Judicial Council has released a two-item docket for its spring session. The United Methodist Church’s top court plans to meet in person in late April in Washington. Briefs are due Feb. 17, and reply briefs are due Feb. 27.
See docket
To submit brief (PDF)

WCJB-ABC
Recovery center for women planned
OCALA, Fla. — Compassion United Methodist Church is planning a 16-bed center for women recovering from addiction. The new project is an extension of the already existing Open Arms Village, a similar transitional program for men. “We really want to be a source of hope and healing in this community,” said Jill Beck, a pastor at Compassion who will oversee the center. Emma Delamo reports.
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Global Ministries
Grants for immigration work coming
ATLANTA — Applications for Mustard Seed Migration Grants for work with immigrants, migrants and refugees will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Sept. 1. The Mustard Seed Migration Grant program, now in its fifth year, provides congregations with up to $2,000 for a one-time, community-based service project.
Read press release

South Carolina Conference
Advocate Press releases 2 new books
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Two new books are available from the Advocate Press: “Recollections: Stories from My Life in the Ministry,” by Roger M. Gramling, and “Raise Your Ebenezer: A Field Guide to Suffering,” by Ted Goshorn. The Advocate Press is the publishing arm of the Advocate newspaper, which serves the South Carolina Conference.
Learn more