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Recommended Listening: Un-Tied Methodism on Regionalization
Dr. David W. Scott joined Boggan D. and other guests Rev. Dr. Izzy Alvaran and Rev. Dr. Betty Kazadi Musau to discuss regionalization in The United Methodist Church in an episode titled "Reimagining unity: Regionalization and the UMC." Read more
GCSRW Announces Events at UMC General Conference 2024
Delegates and attendees at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. will have several opportunities to celebrate, recognize and be informed about issues impacting women within The United Methodist Church. Read more
International Delegates Voice Concerns about General Conference Access, Influence
Two African caucuses and a Philippines annual conference issued public statements within 48 hours raising concerns about credential and travel arrangements for international delegates and influence of U.S.-based caucuses calling for disaffiliation. Read more
Why Wespath Supports Regionalization
Agency staff see the legislation, aimed at putting the U.S. and central conferences on equal footing, as crucial to their work of supporting clergy and other church workers in retirement. The legislation requires amending the UMC's constitution. Read more
Wespath Photo
Wespath’s Perspective on Fossil Fuel Exclusion Ahead of General Conference
Wespath says it understands and shares the concerns of those advocating for divestment from fossil fuels. The risks of climate change are real and urgent. However, Wespath proposes an alternative, inclusive option to full divestment. Read more
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General Conference 2024
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Liberian United Methodists Affirm UMC Loyalty, Call Out Divisive Actors
A group of Liberian United Methodist delegates to General Conference have fiercely proclaimed their loyalty to the denomination and called on their bishop to investigate divisive forces in their annual conference. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
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Shutterstock
Teetering Between Hope and Anxiety, We Head Out to General Conference
Psalm 46, from which the coming General Conference takes its theme, offers spiritual reassurance to undergird the dificult decisions facing United Methodist delegates. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
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What Local Church Leaders Need to Know about the Upcoming UMC General Conference
Every United Methodist has a stake in this General Conference and can be involved and engaged, thanks to a wealth of resources that are just a click away, writes Ken Sloane of Discipleship Ministries. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
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Big Changes Proposed for Clergy Retirement
Wespath Benefits and Investments, the UMC's pension agency, proposes to revise future clergy retirements to function like secular 401K accounts. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
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Bishops Urged to Prepare for Seismic Shift
Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton sees potential for big changes coming out of General Conference. In his final presidential address, he asked his fellow bishops to consider how they can use those changes to help center the church. Read more
Apr 18, 2024
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UMC Agencies, Caucuses Make Final Push for Issues Before General Conference
With the UMC's first comprehensive General Conference in eight years coming April 23 in Charlotte, N.C., church bureaucrats and special interest groups are making a final push for their respective legislative campaigns through multiple media. Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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Clergywoman's Videos Aim to Answer Tough Questions Coming with General Conference
A constant critic of misinformation spread through disaffiliations across The United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye has now released four videos that tackle tough questions about the UMC from her traditional, conservative faith. Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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The Crane Church: A New Hope for United Methodism
A tale from Japanese folklore holds a metaphor for the UMC of today and tomorrow, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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U.S. Delegate Responds to Concerns About General Conference Logistics
The United Methodist Church has a pivotal opportunity in the worldwide regionalization proposal to bring about truly equitable governance for the entire denomination, writes Upper New York Conference delegate Ian Carlos Urriola. Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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Revised Social Principles Offer New Start
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. argues that the Revised Social Principles represents important work by a diverse group of United Methodists and offers the denomination a new start and a model for working together. Read more
Apr 15, 2024
UMC Future
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Congregations Hold More Diverse Views After Split in United Methodist Church, Study Finds
Congregations that remained with the United Methodist Church in North Carolina during a split over gay marriage and ordaining LGBTQ+ clergy are more politically and theologically diverse than those that left, researchers at Duke University found. Read more
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After Traditionalist Churches Left, UMC May be More – Not Less – Diverse
A new report from Duke University that looked at disaffiliating clergy from North Carolina’s two United Methodist conferences found that even after departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining disagree with ordaining LGBTQ people. Read more
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Charlie Riedel AP
How Can a Denomination Based on Reconciling Differences Split Over Its Disagreements?
The lead researcher on a new Duke University study on United Methodist diversity after disaffiliation wonders how the denomination can split apart over its differences on human sexuality. Read more
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Retiring Bishop Tapped to Become Social Justice Agency Executive
Bishop Julius C. Trimble was elected as Church and Society's new top executive on recommendation of the board's search committee. He retires Sept. 1 as resident bishop of the Indiana Annual Conference and has chaired the UMC's AIDS committee. Read more
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Photo by Eveline Chikwanah/UM News
American Conflict and the UMC In Africa
American Methodism long has treated Africa as a "battlefront" to be conquered. The dynamic of ecclesiastic empire working through the means of patronage is one that the church will need to work for some time to dismantle. Read more
News for Local Churches
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Mount Zion Helps Pay Off $2.4M in Medical Debt
One South Carolina church’s Lenten project helped abolish $2.4 million in medical debt. Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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Woodland's Prayer Labyrinth Reveals an Outpouring of Lenten Love
What started as a congregation’s response to a 40-day Lenten devotional calendar became an elaborate Prayer Labyrinth lined with food filling more than half a basketball court—and then became an outreach to those in need in the Rock Hill, S.C., area. Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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Lee Road UMC Becomes 'Lighthouse Congregation'
A South Carolina United Methodist Church dedicates a lighthouse to honor their decision to become a "lighthouse congregation." Read more
Apr 17, 2024
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Resilience in Ruston: A Fresh Chapter in United Methodist History Set to Unfold
Faithful United Methodists in Ruston, La., gathered recently to develop ideas for a new, welcoming, and inclusive faith community that honors its past while boldly stepping into the future. Read more
Apr 9, 2024
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Leah Burns Introduces a New Multicultural Ministry to Holston
The Rev. Leah Burns moved into the center of a United Methodist network that was trying to figure out how to shift into new ways of doing ministry with fewer churches and with fewer people willing to attend church on Sunday morning. Read more
Apr 10, 2024
