Cynthia B. Astle
The Mysteries of Death
The death of her beloved mother-in-law, Evelyn Grebe, resurrects the age-old questions about the deepest mysteries of life and death, writes Cynthia B. Astle. Read more
Screencap from Steven Manskar Video
We're Overlooking Our Most Compelling Covenant
United Methodism's current debates over who has broken or kept "the covenant" ignore the most compelling covenant of all -- our baptismal vows, writes Cynthia B. Astle. Read more
Phyllis and the Pope: Loving the Unlovable
The convergence of Pope Francis' U.S. visit with the death of religion expert Phyllis Tickle underscores something significant for fractious United Methodists, namely Jesus' call to love the unlovable, writes Cynthia B. Astle. Read more
UMC's Welcome to Catholic LGBT Group Proves 'Equally Blessed'
Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia showed brotherly love for a Catholic group devoted to LGBT inclusion when the group was refused entry to a Catholic event visited by Pope Francis. Read more
Photo Courtesy of RealTimesMedia
Here's What I Have to Say About Baltimore
The eruption of violence in Baltimore in the wake of the police custody death of Freddie Gray prompts a response from UM Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle. Read more
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Indiana's RFRA and the UMC: A Moral Imperative
The furor over Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration – seen by critics as granting businesses license to discriminate against LGBTQ people – reflects The United Methodist Church's own dilemma over its anti-LGBTQ stances. Read more
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Emotional First Aid for United Methodism
A TED talk by psychologist Guy Winch awakens Insight coordinator Cynthia B. Astle to the United Methodist Church's need for "emotional first aid." Read more
More LGBTQ Support Comes from Susquehanna, California-Pacific
Public support for full LGBTQ inclusion in the United Methodist Church comes from Susquehanna clergy and laity and California-Pacific board of ordained ministry, plus suggestions for keeping on from Mainstream UMC. Read more
What Following Jesus Means to Me Today
Her Lenten reflections have led Cynthia B. Astle to develop a clearer understanding of what following Jesus Christ means today. Read more
Universities Pondering Traditional Plan’s Implications
Potential university disaffiliations and redirecting general church funding mark the latest reactions to the Traditional Plan's adoption. Read more
Formal and Informal Talks Continue on UMC's Future
Support for The Traditional Plan is absent from most reports regarding talks about the UMC's future. Read more
Another Congregation Joins in LGBTQ Support
While public actions have slowed a bit, pushback against the Traditional Plan is still occurring across U.S. United Methodism. Read more
Weather Channel's Headline Sets United Methodists Wondering
The Weather Channel's practice of naming winter storms in the same way that hurricanes and tropical cyclones are named sets folks to wondering if there's a United Methodist on staff. Read more
Pro-Inclusion Displays, Media Mentions Document Ongoing Resistance
Local congregations continue to post displays in support of full inclusion of LGBTQ people in The United Methodist Church. Read more
Resistance Statements Continue in Steady Flow
Clergy and laity in some 25 annual conferences in the United States have issued open letters and online petitions affirming their refusal to implement the Traditional Plan adopted by the 2019 General Conference. Read more
Florida Laity Issue Call for Inclusive Church
Statements of confession, lamentation and resistance continue to issue from United Methodist congregations and annual conference members across the United States. Read more
U.S. Church Leaders Meeting Behind Closed Door on What’s Next for UMC
"Clandestine" meetings among United Methodist leaders may be pondering a split in the worldwide denomination. Read more
Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Another View of UMC Integrity
The UMC's warring factions might be able to understand one another – and themselves – better using Moral Foundations Theory, writes Cynthia B. Astle. Read more
Post-GC2019 Conversation Shifts to Traditionalist Bloggers
UPDATED 3/28: Post-GC2019 conversation shifts to Traditionalist bloggers while some Progressives begin to embrace the possibility of schism. Read more
Progressive Christianity Roots in United Methodist Pastor’s Vision
A United Methodist pastor's vision for countering fundamentalist Christian media with more thoughtful study resources continues in a new release on Jesus' last week. Read more
Organizations Issue Statements, Petitions Opposing Traditional Plan
Resistance to the Traditional Plan is taking shape in formal statements, open letters and proposed annual conference resolutions. Read more
Good-bye, Grace
A friend's departure from the UMC as a result of GC2019 leaves Cynthia B. Astle wondering how many more United Methodists are "done" with the church, and if they'll ever return. Read more
Bishops Hold Information Sessions as Defiance of General Conference Action Strengthens
UPDATED: More congregations, clergy and individuals are publicly rejecting the Traditional Plan and vowing support for LGBTQIA people. Read more
Resistance to General Conference Action Continues to Build
Resistance and rejection are continuing to build against the Traditional Plan adopted by the 2019 General Conference. Read more
Where Do We Go from Here?
While progressive United Methodists wait for a phoenix to rise from the ashes of St. Louis, jubilant traditionalists seem unaware of their own mortal wounds. Read more
Midnight Musings on the Start of GC2019
Plans that went awry en route to St. Louis reveal a disturbing truth about this General Conference: United Methodists are kept away from decision-makers by accident of venue, or by leadership's design. Read more
Judicial Council to Rule on Modified Traditional Plan
The Judicial Council has agreed to the Council of Bishops' request to review the constitutionality of a portion of Maxie Dunnam's petition presenting the Modified Traditional Plan and Lonnie Brooks' petition eliminating "just resolution." Read more