UM News Digest - Feb. 6, 2026

UM News Digest - Feb. 6, 2026

Small churches can do large ministries
Church members take public stand on immigration
United Methodists kick off year with prayer walk

“Small churches may not be able to make a splash … but they can still change the community around them.” — The Rev. Wayne Cook, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Titusville, Florida.

The Rev. Ingrid McIntyre (left) admires a birthday card for Terry Corral, a resident of the Village at Glencliff medical respite program housed at Glencliff United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Small churches can do large ministries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Some people need diapers for their children, while others need a place to recover from surgery and freedom from medical debt. Three United Methodist churches are responding — and making an outsize contribution to their communities in Tennessee, Florida and New York state. Jim Patterson reports.

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Western North Carolina Conference, Charlotte Observer
Church members take public stand on immigration
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More than 1,000 United Methodists across the Western North Carolina Conference have signed onto a faith-rooted, nonpartisan public statement denouncing “aggressive, undisciplined, illegal, and inhumane” federal immigration raids. The statement appeared as an ad in regional newspapers on Feb. 4. The conference has the statement and list of signers. Brian Lumpkin of the Charlotte Observer has a story on the ad. Supporters can still sign on to affirm the statement.
Read Western North Carolina Conference statement
To sign
Read Charlotte Observer story

South Carolina Conference
United Methodists kick off year with prayer walk
COLUMBIA, S.C. — United Methodists from across South Carolina came together Jan. 4 in a prayer walk seeking collaboration, connection and community in the city and state. The walk, which started at Columbia United Methodist Church, journeyed down Main Street and ended at the steps of the South Carolina Statehouse, where South Carolina Conference Bishop Leonard Fairley spoke on the necessity of joining together to be the light God calls people to be. Jessica Brodie has the story.
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Global Ministries
Seeking peace through education
MANILA, Philippines — Bishops, scholars, educators, students and mission partners joined forces Jan. 18-21 to talk about seeking peace through education in a multicultural world. Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, emphasized that peace pursued through coercion is not real peace at all. Instead, he highlighted a biblical and Wesleyan vision of peace rooted in shalom, justice and the commitment to “do no harm.” Susan Clark and Amos Nascimiento have the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Where can I find data about the church?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Church has many resources for statistical reporting, data collection and data analysis. The Rev. Taylor W Burton Edwards, who serves as lead for Ask The UMC, the information service of United Methodist Communications, offers an overview of the variety of available data and how it may be accessed.
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Council of Bishops
Bishops list Leadership Gathering participants
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has released the list of participants for the 2026 Leadership Gathering — a diverse group of 300 emerging and established leaders from across the United Methodist connection. Under the theme “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be,” the gathering will take place Oct. 20-24 at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Read press release
See list (PDF)
UM News: Bishops ask all to help shape church’s future

General Conference
GC2028 worship and music director sought
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Applications are open for those interested in serving as worship and music director for the 2028 General Conference, being held May 8-18, 2028, in Minneapolis. Applicants should submit a brief résumé outlining their background and professional references, with a YouTube link to a five-minute audition video demonstrating the applicant's presence leading worship. Submissions are due no later than Feb. 20, and interviews for finalists will take place in March.
View job description

World Methodist Evangelism
Methodist evangelism ministry names head
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The board of World Methodist Evangelism has named J. Paulo Lopes, a missionary in the Brazilian Methodist Church, as the ministry’s next executive director. He has been the ministry’s director of emerging leadership since 2020. He succeeds the Rev. Kimberly Reisman, who plans to retire in March after leading the World Methodist Council affiliate since 2014.
Read frequently asked questions about the transition

UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.

Church and Society
Faith must be public
WASHINGTON — Faith must be public, says the Rev. Liberato Bautista, who represents the United Methodist Board of Church and Society for United Nations and International Affairs. In a commentary reflecting on Black History Month and the national celebration of the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Bautista writes the United Methodist Social Principles “urge us to honor every person, dismantle racism, build equitable economies, steward creation, reject violence and uphold dignity across borders and identities.”
Read commentary

United Methodist Communications
What churches can do to support immigrants
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids intensify across the United States, many United Methodist congregations are witnessing fear and disruption in their communities and are seeking faithful ways to respond. ResourceUMC gathers resources to help churches support their immigrant neighbors.
See resources