UM News Digest - May 4, 2026

UM News Digest - May 4, 2026

Why the 1956 women-clergy vote matters
Madang marks 10th anniversary with renewed vision
Church leans into helping neighbors

“I carry deep gratitude for the many clergywomen who paved the way — those who persevered when doors were closed, preached when their voices were questioned and trusted God’s call even when the Church did not fully recognize their leadership.” — Bishop Tracy S. Malone, immediate past Council of Bishops president.

The Methodist Church’s 1956 General Conference meets from April 25 to May 7 in the municipal auditorium in Minneapolis. On May 4, the first Friday of the legislative assembly, the delegates voted to make women eligible for full clergy rights. Photo courtesy of Archives and History.

Why the 1956 women-clergy vote matters
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Seventy years ago, the Methodist Church supported full conference membership for women clergy — a decision that would have a resounding impact when The United Methodist Church formed in 1968 and even today. The setbacks and sacrifice on the way to full clergy rights offer lessons at a time when women’s leadership faces increasing public pushback. Heather Hahn reports.

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Graphic courtesy of CRCC Madang

Madang marks 10th anniversary with renewed vision
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Korean American United Methodist pastors in cross-cultural and cross-racial appointments will soon have a renewed opportunity for connection, learning and spiritual growth, as the CRCC Madang program celebrates its 10th anniversary. The Rev. Hannah Ka, one of the program’s organizers, said this year’s gathering will serve as both a milestone celebration and an expansion of the program’s original vision. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim has the story.
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Dakotas Conference
Church leans into helping neighbors
WASHBURN, N.D. — A small church in North Dakota is reaching into the community to help worthy causes such as the local library, ambulance service and the family of a school employee who died. About $14,000 has been raised for the projects. “We are inviting people to join us in caring for the community,” said the Rev. Annie Carlson, pastor of Washburn United Methodist Church. Doreen Gosmire has the story.
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Iowa Conference
Embracing Pacific Islander community
STORM LAKE, Iowa — When she learned that the growing population of Pacific Islanders in her community had an annual celebration, it sparked an idea for Katie Schwint. The hospital executive and member of Storm Lake United Methodist Church approached church leaders, suggesting that they host the event, which is both a celebration and health fair. “Since this event, we’ve opened our doors to other Pacific Islander groups to worship,” Schwint said. “It really feels like it goes back to John Wesley’s doctrine of do all the good you can everywhere you can all the time.” Iowa Conference staff have the story.
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Great Plains Conference
Service set for pastor after accident
WAKEFIELD, Kan. — A celebration of life service for the Rev. Mike Ketchens is scheduled for May 18 at Longford Bethel United Methodist Church, where Ketchens was pastor. Ketchens, who also was pastor of Mizpah United Methodist Church, died April 23 in a one-vehicle accident. He was known widely for his distinctive white beard and caring nature. “He had awesome sermons and a personality that fit our church wonderfully,” said Longford Bethel church member Rhonda Gierhan. David Burke reports.
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KXAN-NBC
Church vandalized again with hateful graffiti
AUSTIN, Texas — Members of Life in the City United Methodist Church, known for its inclusivity, discovered hateful graffiti on its property May 3, marking the second vandalism incident in less than a year for the church. Graffiti spray-painted on a wall near the entrance included the phrase “Pride 1st Sin.” The vandalism comes as the city is revamping its hate-crimes task force after a synagogue and multiple mosques also were vandalized with graffiti. Kevin Baskar reports.
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Church and Society, Religion and Race
Agencies denounce ‘weakening of Voting Rights Act’
WASHINGTON — An April 29 decision by the Supreme Court rolls back “generations of progress by civil rights leaders and heroes … who worked diligently for decades to establish one of the most important protections against racial discrimination in voting,” say two United Methodist agencies in a joint statement. The court’s 6-3 ruling “sends an alarming and dangerous message,” reads the statement from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. “In practice, it means millions of Black, Brown and Indigenous people will have less of a political voice and representation.” The statement calls on United Methodists to stand in solidarity with those most affected by the weakening of the Voting Rights Act.
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Wespath unifies brand under 1 name, website
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Wespath has announced that Wespath Benefits and Investments and Wespath Institutional Investments have come together under one unified name and website: Wespath and wespath.org. “‘One Wespath’ reflects first and foremost: our continued connection and commitment to The United Methodist Church; and second our ability to serve a growing community of organizations that share our social holiness values and want services that reflect these values,” said Andy Hendren, Wespath’s top executive.
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Higher Education and Ministry, Global Ministries
New suicide prevention resource for faith leaders
ATLANTA — The E. Stanley Jones Foundation and the United Methodist boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries have partnered to develop a suicide prevention video training course. “Suicide Prevention for Faith Leaders and Faith Communities” is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to prevent suicide, respond to crises and care for individuals and families affected by suicide loss. While developed with United Methodist clergy in mind, it is designed to be accessible and useful for faith leaders across Christian denominations and other faith traditions.
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