UM News Digest - Oct. 5, 2026

UM News Digest - Oct. 5, 2026

Bridging worship divide | Church women | Worldwide role

“Isn’t that what we’re trying to get to as worship leaders? Some form of experience… so that people can experience God and the grace of Jesus Christ?” — The Rev. Jeff Campbell, the top executive of Discipleship Ministries.

LaShanda Evans sings during the Fusion 2026 Worship Music Conference at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the worship team coordinator for United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, which sponsored the event. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Music leaders tackle ‘great divide’ in worship
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Two hundred music and worship leaders gathered at The Fusion 2026 Worship Music Conference to attend workshops on songwriting, pastor and worship leader relations, worship ethics, Wesleyan theology, creative liturgy writing, copyrights and more. Presenters talked about options that might bring younger people back to church. Jim Patterson has the story, and Mike DuBose provides photos.

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The Rev. Jairous Mafondokoto, administrative assistant to the bishop in the Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana Area, congratulates Pamela Saungweme for offering her home to the church for use in drug and substance abuse programs. Saungweme had been moved by the testimony of a family whose son had overcome addiction. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Women put faith into action across Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Methodist women in Africa are responding to drug abuse, violence and trauma in their communities through practical support. United Methodist Pamela Saungweme offered the church her Mutare home to use for programs aimed at fighting substance abuse. Church member Ekenia Chifamba founded and operates an organization promoting the rights and welfare of girls and young women. Eveline Chikwanah has the story.
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United Methodist elected to worldwide role
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Patricia Petudzai Mapani, 61, a United Methodist from Harare, was elected world vice president of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women at the organization’s world assembly. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Western North Carolina Conference
Pastor’s adopted child thrives
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Rev. Linda Kelly has the pleasure of seeing her adopted daughter thriving as an employee of The United Methodist Church. The now retired pastor and district superintendent adopted Kasey Kelly in China 31 years ago. Today, the younger Kelly works for the conference’s Mission Engagement and Disaster Relief and Recovery Team. Ken Garfield has the story.
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Mississippi Conference
Conference offers lay training in Spanish
NEW ALBANY, Miss. — La Misión, the Hispanic ministry of New Albany United Methodist Church, in partnership with the Mississippi Conference, hosted the conference’s first basic lay servant training in Spanish. During the event, students learned United Methodist Church history and were prepared and equipped to lead ministry in their congregations. Matthew Johnson has the story.
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Association of Ministers with Disabilities
Looking beyond the 2026 Disability Summit
METAIRIE, La. — The September 25 Disability Summit brought together United Methodists for worship and reflection on disability justice and church life. A new statement from the Association of Ministers with Disabilities reflects what group members heard and identifies areas where continued attention and action are needed across The United Methodist Church.
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Wespath
Emerging leaders meet at Wespath
GLENVIEW, Ill. — Emerging leaders of The United Methodist Church gathered in mid-September at the offices of Wespath Benefits and Investment for leadership development, open dialogue and relationship building. The Anchor Summit — Advancing New Church Hope, Opportunity and Resilience — explored issues including congregational sustainability, team leadership, clergy well-being and conflict management. Christina Tincher reports.
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Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus
Group: Greenland agreement bears watching
SELBYVILLE, Del. — The United Methodist Church’s Native American Inter-Tribal Caucus reflects on the Sept. 22 security agreement signed by Greenland, Danish and U.S. authorities. Noting concerns the United Nations has raised about what the agreement lacks, the caucus states, “promises must be watched, power must be watched, and implementation must be watched.”
Read statement (PDF)
UM News: US threats to Greenland challenge church