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Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS
Ivan Abrahams
Bishop Ivan Abrahams preaches May 17 during morning worship at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. Abrahams is general secretary of the World Methodist Council.
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Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS
Embodied Prayer
Randall Miller and Lydia Henry lead a confessional prayer movement on May 17 during morning worship at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore.
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Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Sermon Response
Martha Banks responds to the morning May 17 worship led by Bishop Ivan M. Abrahams at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference. Banks, a neuropsychologist and delegate from the the East Ohio Conference, submitted petition 60543-CB-R9999 titled, "Effectively Recruiting and Retaining Young Clergy of Color."
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Seminary Choirs
Members of the combined seminary choirs from Boston University, Perkins and Candler sing May 17 during morning worship at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. (Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS)
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Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS
AME Anniversary
Bishop Gregory Palmer celebrates the 200th anniversary of the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church during the May 17 worship of the United Methodist 2016 General Conference in Portland, Ore.
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Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS
Ecumenical partners
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar (left) of the Boston Episopal Area and Bishop Christian Alsted of the Nordic and Baltic Area, speak at a May 17 press conference on new ecumenical relationships between The United Methodist Church and the United Church of Sweden and the Moravian Church (Northern & Southern Provinces). The agreements were celebrated May 17 at the United Methodist 2016 Conference in Portland, Ore.
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Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Praying with Beads
Carla Nicklas from the Oklahoma Conference prays with prayer beads May 17 during morning worship at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore.
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Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS
Singing Protest
Demonstrators bind their wrists while singing, "Blest be the tie that binds," as delegates enter the afternoon May 17 plenary session. They are protesting what they believe is an attempt to silence LGBTQ voices during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. In the foreground is the Rev. Will Green from Ballard Vale UMC in Andover, Mass.
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Photo by Maile Bradfield, UMNS
Bound Hands
Demonstrators bind their wrists while singing, "Blest be the tie that binds," as delegates enter the May 17 afternoon plenary session. They are protesting what they believe is an attempt to silence LGBTQ voices during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore.
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Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS
Fiscal Malfeasance
Nancy Denardo, a lay delegate from the Western Pennsylvania conference, leaflets other participants on May 17 during the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. Denardo is demanding accountability for funds that she and several others allege were mismanaged by Bishop Daniel Wandabula of the East Africa Episcopal Area.
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Climate Buttons
The Rev. Dr. Lyda Pierce and other climate activists greet people arriving at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore., on May 17. (UMNS Photo by Paul Jeffrey).
The Rev. Ivan Abrahams, top executive of the World Methodist Council, delivered a fervent sermon on maintaining the historic Wesleyan commitment to social justice as Day 8 of the 2016 General Conference began. The day was full of social justice amid pain and prayers about deep divisions in The United Methodist Church.