UM News Digest - Nov. 10, 2025

UM News Digest - Nov. 10, 2025

Mission hospitals give hope to expectant mothers
Bishops plan gathering to follow Spirit’s lead
Regionalization starts taking effect

“Before this program, some had no food. Now, we all eat the same meal, and there’s harmony.” — Tsverukai Chikodzi, on maternity care at The United Methodist Church’s Mutambara District Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe.

Dr. Evans Matiki smiles at Loice Mauna and her new baby while visiting patients at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. The United Methodist Church’s mission facilities at Old Mutare and Mutambara are providing improved maternity care, including daily meals for patients at the waiting mothers’ shelters. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Dr. Evans Matiki smiles at Loice Mauna and her new baby while visiting patients at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Mission hospitals give hope to expectant mothers
MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s medical facilities at Old Mutare and Mutambara missions are providing improved maternity care, including daily meals for patients at the waiting mothers’ shelters. A partnership between United Methodists in Zimbabwe, Norway and the U.S. helped make the improvements possible. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.

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Sister Florence Mefor, a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and midwife, speaks with a patient enjoying lunch at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Bishops plan gathering to follow Spirit’s lead
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — United Methodist bishops heard an update on planning for next year’s Leadership Gathering that aims to help church leaders discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance as the denomination starts anew. Bishops also are making plans to engage the whole denomination through a survey that captures members’ hopes and concerns ahead of the gathering. Heather Hahn reports.
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Regionalization starts taking effect
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — What is now the Standing Committee on Regional Conference Matters Outside the USA has a new name and a new responsibility. The international United Methodist body, which submitted regionalization to General Conference, met to celebrate the ratification of the denominational restructuring and get to work on next steps. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Missouri Conference, Chiefs.com
Chiefs recognize United Methodist fan
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Yvette Richards has a lot of titles, including past national president of United Methodist Women and member of both the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and the World Methodist Council. Now, the member of St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City holds another title: Chiefs Fan of the Year. She may be the four-time Super Bowl winning team’s biggest fan, but she can’t talk football without sharing her faith.
Read story and watch video
Vote in the NFL Fan of the Year competition

Foundation for Evangelism
Sharing the Good News ‘the right way’
CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — About 75 people gathered in the Western Pennsylvania Conference for a gathering that explored “Sharing the Good News … in the Right Way.” The Rev. Jack Jackson, president of the Foundation for Evangelism, was one of the event’s speakers and offered the model of 20th century Methodist evangelist and missionary E. Stanley Jones. The foundation has the story.
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Finance and Administration
Agency warns churches about federal grants
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance and legal agency, encourages churches to take special care with any grants involving federal funds. Since March 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been amending its standard terms and conditions applicable to all grants issued by Homeland Security and its constituent agencies, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Read press release

World Methodist Evangelism
Reisman, evangelism head, plans retirement
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Rev. Kimberly Reisman, a United Methodist elder, plans to retire as World Methodist Evangelism’s executive director in March. She has led the ministry, an affiliate of the World Methodist Council, since 2014. World Methodist Evangelism will celebrate Reisman when its Order of the FLAME gathers March 9-13 at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Register for gathering
Learn more about World Methodist Evangelism

United Women in Faith
Women’s organization seeks major gifts officer
NEW YORK — United Women in Faith is looking for a major gifts officer to grow member/donor engagement and resource mobilization for the organization’s Legacy Endowment Fund. The organization connects and nurtures women through Christian spiritual formation, leadership development, fellowship and education.
Learn more and apply

United Methodist Association for Retired Clergy
Online Inclusiveness Conference scheduled
DENVER — The United Methodist Association for Retired Clergy and Friends has scheduled Inclusiveness Conference VIII at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Mountain time Nov. 18. Mountain Sky Bishop Kristin Stoneking and Ashley Boggan, the top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, will lead a panel exploring how United Methodists can embrace the new policies in the Book of Discipline.
Learn more and register