United Methodist News

01/14/2026

How is God calling us to respond to the ongoing violence in the Middle East? A pastor shares insights from the West Bank.

How is God calling us to respond to the ongoing violence in the Middle East? A pastor shares insights from the West Bank. Commentary by the Rev. John Wagner appears in the Blogs and Commentary section of UM News.

01/13/2026

Philippines Regional Conference bishops join members working abroad in the United Arab Emirates for a time of fellowship and spiritual renewal.

Philippines Regional Conference bishops join church members working abroad in the United Arab Emirates for a time of fellowship and spiritual renewal.

01/13/2026

United Methodists across the U.S. led prayer vigils and joined protests in solidarity with their neighbors after federal immigration enforcement agents killed Renee Good in Minneapolis and shot two people in Portland, Oregon.

01/12/2026

United Methodists around the world are living into the denomination’s new vision to "love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.” UM News photographers documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.

United Methodists around the world are living into the denomination’s new vision to "love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.” UM News, the denomination's official news service, documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.

01/12/2026

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry 2026-2027 scholarship portal has opened for United Methodist students studying at U.S. institutions and outside the United States. Every year, the agency awards on average $4 million in scholarships.

Every year, we award an average of $4 million in scholarships to help students pursue their dreams through higher education.

01/11/2026

We in the wish you a blessed Sunday.

01/11/2026

Jan Lawrence, executive director of Reconciling Ministries Network since 2017, announced that she plans to retire on April 30. Even as the advocacy group celebrates The United Methodist Church’s elimination of denomination-wide bans related to LGBTQ people, the group still sees more work ahead.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Reconciling Ministries Network Wednesday, January 7, 2026 Media Contact: Taylor Whitley, Director of Communications [email protected] General inquiries related to this announcement may be directed to: [email protected] Reconciling […]

01/10/2026

As 2026 begins, familiar approaches to church leadership are proving insufficient amid changing communities, evolving teams and growing demands on leaders. The Rev. Jonathan Page, director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, offers guidance for responding to the key shifts shaping the year ahead.

Nine leadership trends, focused on community, team-based leadership, and transformation-driven ministry, will shape the church in 2026.

01/10/2026

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, who leads the California-Pacific Conference, offered a video message to mark the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires that devastated large parts of Los Angeles County.

As we approach the one year anniversary of two fires that devastated our communities in 2025, Bishop Escobedo-Frank shares a message, saying: “Our conference, our world, our community was changed by these fires…Those who lost homes, those who lost loved ones, those who lost churches, and neighbo...

01/09/2026

After federal agents shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon, a day after the deadly shooting in Minneapolis, Greater Northwest Area Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth expressed lament and called for United Methodists to be practitioners of peace while following their baptismal vows to “resist evil, injustice and oppression.”

How long, Lord, must I call for help,but you do not listen?or cry out to you “Violence!”but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice?Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?Destruct…

01/09/2026

Bishop José Gamboa, an educator and trailblazing United Methodist leader who pioneered mission in the Philippines’ Davao Episcopal Area, died Dec. 22 at age 97.

e educator and trailblazing United Methodist leader pioneered mission in the Philippines’ Davao Episcopal Area. Gamboa died Dec. 22 at age 97.

01/09/2026

In a week where there is no shortage of troubling news, we thought we'd offer a mental-health break in honor of Elvis Presley's birthday and the 70th anniversary of a critical moment in ihis music career that has a connection.

The King of Rock and Roll was born on Jan. 8, 1935. See how a church agency was linked to the star's record label.