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UM News Digest - Dec. 17, 2025
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“How we are treating immigrants in our country is how we are treating Christ and the Holy Family themselves.” — The Rev. Jay Campbell, co-pastor at Claremont (Calif.) United Methodist Church.
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In a Nativity scene at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus are depicted being held in a detention center, as a protest of how immigrants are being treated in the United States. Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.
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Nativity scenes, art spotlight immigration
RIVER FOREST, Ill. (UM News) — The plight of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is weighing on leaders in some United Methodist churches, and it’s showing up in art, including Nativity scenes. At Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, the outdoor Nativity display is set within a cage with razor wire on top. At a United Methodist church near Chicago, Mary, Joseph and Jesus are missing from the Nativity. A nearby sign explains: “Due to ICE activity in our community, the Holy Family is in hiding.” Jim Patterson has the story. |
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Candle image by Gerd Altmann, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
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2025: Remembering United Methodists of note
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — This year, United Methodists mourned the passing of the bishop behind a popular Bible study, a cowboy turned preacher, an influential LGBTQ advocate ordained on his deathbed, the first Native American woman to be a United Methodist elder and the last surviving World War II flying ace in the U.S. Heather Hahn has 26 remembrances of notable church members memorialized in 2025.
Read story |
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Council of Bishops
Bishops: Christ’s light still shines
WASHINGTON — This year, Christians celebrate Christ’s birth in a world weary from conflict, division and uncertainty. “Christmas is not only a celebration of God’s gift to the world — it is also a call to embody that gift in how we live with one another,” writes Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone in the bishops’ Christmas message.
Read Christmas message
Pacific Northwest, Mountain Sky conferences
Conferences respond to floods in Northwest US
DES MOINES, Wash. — United Methodists in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain Sky conferences are responding to flooding and other damage across Washington State, northwestern Montana and parts of Idaho. In Washington, the governor has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to assist with evacuation efforts.
Read about Pacific Northwest response
Read about Mountain Sky response
South Georgia Conference
New Georgia churches mark Advent
THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Advent is the season when Christians lean forward toward the light, trusting that God is already on the move in ways they cannot yet see. And this year across South Georgia, the same kind of holy beginning is unfolding in the lives of new church starts. The Rev. Stephanie Smith has the story of how four new congregations lean into Advent.
Read story |
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Judicial Council
Church court names new vice president
WASHINGTON — The Judicial Council, The United Methodist Church’s top court, met online to hold a service of remembrance for the Rev. Øyvind Helliesen, the church court’s vice president, who died Nov. 25. After the service, the church court elected Bill Waddell to succeed Helliesen as its vice president. The Rev. Taylor Denyer, elected as a clergy alternate at last year’s General Conference, will hold office as a Judicial Council member for Helliesen’s unexpired term that ends in 2028.
Learn more about the Judicial Council
New England Conference
Pumpkin patch supports Navajo, feeds neighbors
BOURNE, Mass. — Bourne United Methodist Church began its pumpkin patch to support local families and Navajo growers more than 2,000 miles away. This year, what has become a beloved fall tradition raised more than $36,000 for the Navajo Nation and community food pantry. Benjamin Musasizi has the story.
Read story
United Methodist Church in Central and Southern Europe
Church ministry wins two awards
ZURICH, Switzerland — The Miss Stone Center, a diaconal institution closely associated with The United Methodist Church in North Macedonia, received two awards on Dec. 11, recognizing its longstanding commitment to caring for the vulnerable. The center prepares 265 meals a day for people who need help. Christina Cekov and Urs Schweizer have the story.
Read story
UM News: Despite challenges, ministry cares for community |
| "The Birth of Jesus," 1953, by Kim Ki-chang; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News |
No UM News Digest Dec. 19-Jan. 2
This is the last UM News Digest before Christmas. The Digest will resume on Monday, Jan. 5. The staff at UM News wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The downloadable graphic above is available for sharing. |
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Global Ministries, Higher Education and Ministry
Lyles hired to lead multiethnic ministries
ATLANTA — Ethnic ministries in The United Methodist Church will get a boost with the appointment of Dana Lyles as executive director of multiethnic ministries, a new joint role that will guide multicultural ministries for the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry. Lyles, who has been part of the leadership team at Global Ministries for seven years, begins her new position on Jan. 1.
Read press release
Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome
Celebrating 60 years of Catholic-Methodist dialogue
ROME — “We Believe in One God” is the title of a new publication by the Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council, detailing progress made over the past six decades toward full visible unity between the two Christian world communions. Printed by the Vatican Publishing House as part of an ecumenical series, the volume draws together the results of 11 reports produced since the formal dialogue began in 1967.
Read press release
Download publication (PDF) |
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General Conference Commission
Distribution of 2028 General Conference delegates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Aleze M. Fulbright, secretary of the General Conference, has announced how many delegates each annual conference can elect to the 2028 General Conference. The total delegate count is 708. The Commission on the General Conference also offers resources for United Methodists considering seeking election as delegates. The information is available in English, French, Kiswahili and Portuguese.
See delegate distribution and resources
UM News: GC2028 delegate count marks historic shift
United Methodist Communications
Social media strategies for the new year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Looking to revitalize your church’s digital presence for the new year? In a MyCom podcast, the Rev. Ryan Dunn shares practical strategies and emerging social media trends to help a church grow its ministry and foster authentic connections online.
Watch and listen to podcast |
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Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News
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Task force responds to growing needs facing immigrants
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Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News
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Artificial tree farm brings joy to families with special needs
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