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
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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
Open for Service.org
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
YouTube Screen Capture
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
Unelected Traditionalist Leaders Share Ties
Traditionalist leaders who failed to be elected as delegates to General Conference 2020 come from different annual conferences but share a network of connections. Read more
June 20 Marks Four Significant Elections
Centrist and progressive candidates sweep General Conference delegate elections in four annual conferences on one day. Read more
GC2019 Delegates Petition UMC 'Court' to Reconsider Traditional Plan Ruling
Delegates who have been involved with the Commission on A Way Forward and have supported the One Church Plan are asking the Judicial Council to reconsider its ruling on the Traditional Plan's constitutionality. Read more
Centrist-Progressive U.S. Delegate Wave Hits 73 Percent
Latest tallies on General Conference elections; one LGBTQ leader departs and another "rides the circuit." Read more
Conferences Hit High Notes with Elections, Reports
U.S. annual conferences are looking toward the denomination's future in varied ways, including electing younger, more progressive delegates to General Conference. Read more
Summit Participants Seek to Reform UMC, Together and Apart
Participants in the UMC Next and Our Movement Forward summits find commonalities amid their differences, including hope for a more inclusive United Methodist Church. Read more
'Reform & Renewal' Forces Acknowledge 20 Percent Delegate Drop
General Conference 2020 representation by U.S. traditonalist delegates has dropped by 20 percent in recent elections, according to Good News vice president Thomas Lambrecht. Read more
Conference Resolutions Resist Traditional Plan
Annual conferences are taking formal action to resist or reject the Traditional Plan. Read more
First Openly LGBTQ Pastor Ordained in Southern Conferences
The Rev. Jane Graner has traveled "40 years in the wilderness" to June 3 ordination as a United Methodist elder in full connection. Read more
Community Engagement
Annual Conferences Focus on Missions
From personal supplies to gift cards to a "tug-o-love," United Methodist conferences are gathering mission resources at their 2019 annual sessions. Read more
UMC Next Vows to Resist Traditional Plan, Reform Methodism
UMC Next participants will now fan out to their respective annual conferences to share some of the Leawood discussions and lead conversations on next steps. Read more
From Church to U.S. Capitol, Push for LGBTQ Equality Goes On
United Methodists joined other people of faith to rally for the Equality Act's passage by Congress, while media continue to document UMC's internal struggle over LGBTQ inclusion. Read more
Communicator Gathers Resistance Petitions' Links
A Colorado United Methodist communicator has gathered links to many annual conference petitions intended to resist the Traditional Plan. Read more
Another Inclusivity Statement Posted
Pacific-Northwest camping ministries pledges full inclusion of all people at its campus and in its activities. Read more
The Peril of All These Secret Meetings
The proliferation of secret meetings across the United Methodist Church show how rotten the institution has become, and what future path its members should seek, writes Cynthia B. Astle Read more
Iowa Clergywoman Resigns; Support Grows for Florida Pastor
An embattled Iowa clergywoman has resigned as a campus minister, while support grows for a Florida pastor facing charges for performing a same-sex wedding. Read more
Chicago Bishop Posts Video; Florida Pastor Faces Charges
Chicago Bishop Sally Dyck addresses fears of disaffiliation plan and its deficiencies; Florida pastor faces charges for performing same-sex wedding. Read more
Teens' Rejection of Methodist Vows Still Getting Big Media Play
Confirmands' rejection of membership captures media; new book looks at UMC's future; California congregation vows to keep welcoming all. Read more
Brad Ward
Ohio Wesleyan Takes ‘Pause’ with UMC over LGBTQ Issues
Another Ohio university declares resistance to heightened LGBTQ restrictions; a "unity" meeting gets criticism; and a New Jersey ad hoc coalition deplores and rejects GC2019 actions. Read more
Baltimore-Washington Conference Team's 'Vision' Defies GC2019 Vote
The four-page document from BWC's Discipleship Council bases its declaration on parts of the church's constitution and on historic Methodist documents. Read more