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UM News Digest - Jan. 31, 2025
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“The restoration of peace to eastern Congo is still possible. Let us all be united in prayer, and our God will work his miracle.” — Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda
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United Methodists killed in Congo conflict
GOMA, Congo (UM News) — At least 100 people, including eight United Methodists, have been killed in fighting between the Congolese armed forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in Goma. With the city under attack, displaced people are taking refuge in churches and other makeshift shelters. Chadrack Tambwe Londe and Philippe Kituka Lolonga report.
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Women receive food during a distribution operation in Beni, Congo. Photo courtesy of the East Congo Episcopal Area disaster management office.
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Church responds to humanitarian crisis in Congo
BENI, Congo (UM News) — With financial support from the United Methodist Committee on Relief, more than 12,000 people displaced by conflict in eastern Congo received food and other needed supplies. Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda condemned the violence and urged all parties to work toward a peaceful resolution. Chadrack Tambwe Londe has the story.
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Ashley Boggan, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, speaks in a video being produced by United Methodist Communications. Photo by Stacey Hagewood, United Methodist Communications.
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Agency restructures for church’s new day
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — With its budget cut by more than half, United Methodist Communications has restructured with plans to serve the denomination’s needs into the future. The agency is prioritizing technological innovation and its partnerships with agencies and conferences to create a stronger voice for The United Methodist Church. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Read strategic plan
Great Plains Conference
Super Bowl hunger challenge returns
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Super Bowl Sacking Hunger Challenge, a contest to collect food to feed the hungry, is back for its third year. The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles for the championship Feb. 9 in New Orleans. Churches in the Great Plains and Missouri conferences — in the Chiefs’ corner — and Eagles fans in the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences will compete with each other to contribute the most food. Since the first challenge in 2023, the Great Plains and Missouri conferences have gathered 273,620 pounds of food. Todd Seifert has the story.
Read story
Global Ministries
Agency condemns new US immigration policies
ATLANTA — New immigration policies from the Trump administration raise ethical concerns that challenge core religious values of compassion, love and welcome, says Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry. In a Jan. 31 statement, Global Ministries condemns actions that “disregard the fundamental dignity and rights of migrants” and reaffirms the agency’s call on individuals, pastors and local churches to take action. “We must commit to build a future where compassion and justice prevail regardless of passport status.”
Read statement
General Council on Finance and Administration
Finance agency addresses US funding freeze
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration is aware of concerns about the state of the clergy housing allowance exemption found in the United States Tax Code, following the announcement of a federal “funding freeze.” The agency discusses what happens now that the memo implementing the freeze was rescinded but not the underlying executive orders.
Read statement
Desert Southwest Conference
Mitzie Dew, bishop’s widow, dies
ELK GROVE, Calif. — Mitzie Eggers Dew, the spouse of the late Bishop William Dew, died Jan. 27. A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 22 at The Table United Methodist Church in Sacramento, California.
Read obituary |
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The United Methodist Church
Immigration webinar set for Feb. 10
WASHINGTON — United Methodist leaders will gather for a webinar to discuss the denomination’s response to immigrant justice. “Solidarity with the Sojourner: Understanding U.S. Immigration and Our Call to Respond” is scheduled for 7 p.m. U.S. Eastern time Feb. 10. The event is a joint effort between the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the Commission on Religion and Race, Immigration Law and Justice Network, the Council of Bishops Immigration Task Force, and El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry, with support from United Methodist Communications. Speakers include Bishops Julius C. Trimble and Minerva G. Carcaño and the Revs. Giovanni Arroyo, Kendal McBroom and Lydia Muñoz. Space is limited and registration is required.
Read press release
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| 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. |
Holston Conference
If you’re willing, there is another way
BRISTOL, Va. — “It’s no secret that our church is navigating a period of deep conflict and widespread apathy, leaving many of us feeling exhausted and uncertain about the future of our churches,” writes the Rev. Clayton Farmer. The pastor of Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church shares where he has found new life for dry bones.
Read commentary |
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File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News |
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Church constitutional amendments head to vote
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — When United Methodist annual conferences meet this year, lay and clergy voters will determine whether amendments approved by General Conference become part of the denomination’s constitution. The amendments deal with regionalization, church membership, racism and clergy-delegate elections. Heather Hahn has an overview.
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Photo by Ibrahim Babangida, UM News |
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United Methodists in Nigeria move forward
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has taken steps toward uniting members, while awaiting recourse from the courts regarding legal matters involving former leaders who have joined the Global Methodist Church. Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel has been holding listening sessions across the country. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News |
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Church supports migrant workers in Hong Kong
HONG KONG (UM News) — A United Methodist pastor from the Philippines and a deaconess from the U.S. are working to empower migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong. The migrants are mostly women who often face difficult challenges in both their workplace and relationships to families at home. The Rev. Paul Jeffrey has the story and photos.
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File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News |
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Richey, influential historian, remembered
DURHAM, N.C. (UM News) — The Rev. Russell E. Richey was praised by colleagues, friends and former students as an amiable yet exacting historian who changed the way United Methodists tell their story. Richey, who taught at Drew, Emory and Duke universities and served as dean at Candler School of Theology, died Jan. 19 at age 83. Jim Patterson reports.
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