UM News Digest - July 11, 2025
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A map shows the Mid Africa Central Conference, formerly known as the Congo Central Conference. Graphic by Ben Ward, UM News.
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Conference gets new name, adds bishop
KITWE, Zambia (UM News) — More than 300 delegates are meeting this week for what United Methodists expect to be the last set of bishop elections for the next four years. The Mid Africa Central Conference, formerly known as the Congo Central Conference, plans to elect three new bishops. UM News will be sharing election news as it happens. Heather Hahn and Chadrack Tambwe Londe have the story. |
On a muddy street in the Ngaliema district of Kinshasa, residents attempt to salvage some belongings after floods destroyed homes and businesses in their neighborhood following torrential rains on June 14. Photo by the Rev. Fiston Okito, UM News.
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4 United Methodists killed in Congo floods
KINSHASA, Congo (UM News) — While United Methodists respond to catastrophic floods in the United States, they also are picking up the pieces in Congo. Floods in Kinshasa took the lives of 29 people, including four church members. The Rev. Fiston Okito reports. |
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Rio Texas Conference
Ways to help Texas flood relief
SAN ANTONIO — The Rio Texas Conference has set up a platform for people to give online directly to flood relief in the Texas Hill Country. The conference also has compiled resources for people needing immediate care. The United Methodist Committee on Relief also continues to use financial donations to respond to needs around the U.S.
See resources and donate through Rio Texas Conference
Donate to UMCOR U.S. Disaster Response
New 2025 annual conference reports posted
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist News is posting 2025 annual conference reports. New this week are the California-Nevada, Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, Susquehanna and Wisconsin conferences.
Read reports
East Ohio Conference
Clergy welcomed home to East Ohio
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — East Ohio Conference leaders hosted a reinstatement service July 6 to welcome back the Revs. Michael Alexander and Jennifer Brown Wellington after last year’s General Conference eliminated gay-clergy bans. Alexander challenged those at the service to recognize the gifts of not only the LGBTQ community but also people in the immigrant, disabled and poor community “or any other recently rejected or targeted community.” East Ohio staff have the story and video.
Watch video and read story
North Georgia Conference
Church sanctuary lost in fire
LITHONIA, Ga. — Redan United Methodist Church suffered a devastating loss overnight on July 1 when a fire — believed to have been caused by a lightning strike — destroyed its original sanctuary building. In the days since, North Georgia United Methodists have surrounded the congregation with prayers and support. Sybil Davidson reports.
Read story |
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Church and Society, Cokesbury
Social Principles handbook now available
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Social Principles stand in the Wesleyan tradition of moral witness and ethical action. Last year’s General Conference approved a new slate of Social Principles intended to be more concise, globally relevant and theologically grounded. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society and Cokesbury have teamed up to produce a handbook of the new Social Principles that’s now available for purchase.
Read press release
To order |
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Finance and Administration
Webinar offers cybersecurity best practices
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As technology evolves, so do the tactics used by scammers, putting both individuals and organizations at risk. Information technology staff at the General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance agency, have recorded a webinar and made available their slides highlighting cybersecurity best practices.
See webinar
United Theological Seminary
Pilgrimage focuses on recovery ministries
DAYTON, Ohio — The Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Methodist-related United Theological Seminary invites people to join an “Innovation Pilgrimage” on Sept. 24-26 at Mosaic Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. The pilgrimage is designed for those eager to start or grow faith-based recovery ministries in their church or community. Costs are $125 per person and $99 per person for teams of at least three people.
Learn more and register |
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Photo by the Rev. Amanda Banda, Rio Texas Conference
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Grieving church brings comfort in Texas floods
KERRVILLE, Texas (UM News) — As the Guadalupe River overflowed early July 4, Kerrville First United Methodist Church quickly opened as a shelter. Since then, the church has been providing support and respite for families waiting to hear about their loved ones at Camp Mystic, the Christian camp swallowed by the floodwaters. The Rev. Amanda Banda, Heather Hahn and Lilla Marigza have the story and video.
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Photo courtesy of the author
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United Methodist pastor: I believe Jesus weeps with us
DALLAS (UM News) — Hannah Buchanan, a pastor at Highland Park United Methodist Church, writes about grief and serving in a community “shaken to its core” by deadly flooding. Eight-year-old Hadley Hanna, who died in the flood, is part of the church’s family. Her parents were married 12 years ago in Highland Park’s sanctuary, the same space where Hadley’s memorial service was being held on July 11.
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Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News |
Young adults walk paths of peace in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (UM News) — In a pilgrimage organized in part by United Methodists, young adults from 15 countries learned about peacebuilding and the sacrifices to promote democracy. The pilgrimage aimed to raise awareness about militarization, promote global peace and justice and deepen Methodist commitments to reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. The Rev. Thomas E. Kim reports.
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Photo courtesy Global Ministries |
Central Africans get new church home
ATLANTA — An Atlanta church and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries are helping a church in the Central African Republic expand. Cascade United Methodist Church helped raise money that led to the new United Methodist temple in the city of Bangui. Global Ministries is also supporting the country’s first United Methodist health facility. Christie R. House has the story for Global Ministries.
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