United Methodist News

12/24/2025

Leaders of the World Methodist Council, including Bishops Debra Wallace-Padgett and Rosemarie Wenner, share Christmas greetings around the theme of "Joy to the World."

Christmas Greetings from the World Methodist Council to others around the world.

12/23/2025

He was an adoptive father, a heeder of dreams and faithful. "Joseph chose to take a risk for God, and that’s an example we can all follow," says one pastor.

He was an adoptive father, a heeder of dreams and faithful. “Joseph chose to take a risk for God... an example we can all follow.”

12/23/2025

Church of the Good Shepherd, Oswego IL hosted its 21st annual exhibit of Nativity sets from around the world on Dec. 5. The display and a United Women in Faith chili and pie supper are a highlight of Oswego’s annual Christmas walk.

Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist in Oswego hosted its 21st annual exhibit of nativity sets from around the world on Friday, Dec. 5. Sixty Nativity scenes were placed on boards on pews in...

12/22/2025

The General Commission on United Methodist Men gathered African leaders for a historic meeting to share ideas and collaborate on a vision for men’s ministry on the continent.

United Methodist Men gathered African church leaders for a historic meeting to share ideas and collaborate on a vision for men’s ministry on the continent.

12/22/2025

This Advent season, United Methodists are likely to hear or read the genealogy of Jesus. The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the top executive of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, encourages church members to read the matrilineal heritage of Jesus in Matthew and reflect on all the women who have gone unnamed and yet have in some way borne Christ to our world.

This Advent season, as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, you are likely to hear or read the genealogy of Jesus whether you are studying Matthew or Luke’s gospel. If so, hopefully it will be obvious to you that there are persons missing.

12/21/2025

We in the wish you a blessed fourth Sunday of . May you have the assurance of God's love and share that love with others in this bustling season.

12/21/2025

Advent is the season when Christians lean forward toward the light, trusting that God is already on the move in ways they cannot yet see. And this year across the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, the same kind of holy beginning is unfolding in the lives of new church starts. Here are the stories of four new congregations.

By Rev. Stephanie Smith Advent begins in the dark, not with fear, but with expectation. It’s the season when we lean forward toward the light, ...

12/20/2025

United Methodist churches often host Blue Christmas services to make space for grief, loneliness and pain in order to nurture healing. Joining with others to remember and mourn can bring needed support when it doesn't feel like the most wonderful time of year.

Joining with others to remember and mourn can help those who are grieving as they move forward on a journey to recapture love, joy, hope and peace.

12/20/2025

United Methodists in The Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church and Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church are responding to flooding and other damage across Washington State, northwestern Montana and parts of Idaho.
Read about the Pacific Northwest response https://www.pnwumc.org/responding-together-to-the-floods/
Read about the Mountain Sky response https://www.mtnskyumc.org/newsdetail/19538199

12/19/2025

The United Methodist Immigration Task Force has reorganized and issued an Advent call to the church to welcome and support migrants. Migration ministry leaders shared accounts of what's happening in the U.S. including violent arrests, inhumane conditions in detention centers (including more than 20 reported deaths), family separations and children appearing alone in immigration court.

The United Methodist Immigration Task Force has reorganized and issued an Advent call to the church to welcome and support migrants.

12/19/2025

Happy birthday, Charles Wesley! Learn from Discipleship Ministries the origin and original lyrics of what is likely Wesley's most popular hymn, a carol sung the world over (not to mention in "A Charlie Brown Christmas") — "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hark-the-herald-angels-sing

12/18/2025

This year, United Methodists mourned the passing of the bishop behind a popular Bible study, an influential advocate ordained on his deathbed and the last surviving World War II flying ace in the U.S.