General Church

Bishop Hans Växby, who served as a beloved leader in the Nordic and Baltic countries for 12 years before leading Eurasia for another seven, passed away on March 30 at age 80. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Växby, post-Cold War leader, dies at 80

United Methodists remember Bishop Hans Växby as a servant leader who helped rebuild the church in Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Central Conferences

Episcopal Elections of the Central Conference of The United Methodist Church. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference Balloting 2025

Voting will begin April 4 for episcopal elections in the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference. UM News will track the balloting as it happens and will have coverage as the bishop is elected.

General Church

Six bishops lead the opening worship and communion service at Black Methodists for Church Renewal’s 58th General Meeting at Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles on March 19. From left are Bishops Cedrick Bridgeforth, Tracy S. Malone, Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, Julius C. Trimble and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai. The three-day meeting included an Ebony Bishops panel discussion on “The State of the Church,” reports on the Black College Fund and Africa University and information on the revised Social Principles and social entrepreneurship. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Black caucus finds hope in work ahead

During the 58th annual gathering of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, members were called to fight for justice and challenge systems of inequality.

Bishops

Bishop Benjamin A. Justo, who led the Baguio Area in the Philippines until 2008, is being remembered for his guidance, integrity and wit. He died March 28 at age 84. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishop Justo remembered as ‘pillar of faith’

Retired Bishop Benjamin A. Justo, who led the Baguio Area in the Philippines until 2008, died March 28 at age 84.

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