General Conference 2024 Week One
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Mike DuBose Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News
Bishop's Sermon on Sexual Violence Broke Open My Lasting Silence
Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling didn't know about the editor's lasting silence about past sexual assault. Nonetheless she proclaimed April 25 that the church's silence obscures the fact that gender-based violence isn't about sex. Read more
Apr 26, 2024
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Let Bishop Easterling's Words Ring Out
A suvivor of clergy sexual assault, the Rev. John Sumwalt calls on bishops and General Conference delegates to lead services of lament back home to help other suvivors begin to heal. Read more
May 1, 2024
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Church Broadens Defense of Human Rights
General Conference delegates approved the first batch of Revised Social Principles, including an affirmation of the basic rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more
Apr 27, 2024
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A Journalist and a Cartoon Fish Can Point the Way
Laity Address speakers at General Conference urged United Methodists to work together and keep the faith despite the setback of more than 7,000 disaffiliated churches. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
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Delegates Urged to ‘Restart’ Church with Less
The budget presentation included the need to reduce the number of bishops in the U.S. and add less bishops to Africa than initially planned. Still, delegates also heard hope for the denomination to pivot from church exits to revitalization. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
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Young People Share Fears, Hopes for Future Church
Young delegate Alejandra Salemi of Florida said she sees similarities between the current state of the church and a family torn apart due to divorce. Senesie T.A. Rogers of Sierra Leone said he believes there is hope for a bright future and unity. Read more
Apr 25, 2024
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South Carolina Bishop Calls UMC to Become 'Who God Needs Us to Be'
In one of the most visual addresses in decades, Bishop L. Jonathan Holston built his message around a series of videos that contrasted traumatic world events of the past eight years with United Methodist events and activities that show God's reign. Read more
Apr 24, 2024
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Creation Advocates Stage Bank Protest at General Conference
On the opening day of General Conference, United Methodist creation justice advocates held a prayer vigil and march at the Charlotte, N.C., headquarters of Bank of America to call for the bank to stop funding fossil fuels. Read more
Apr 24, 2024
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UMC's High Court Says General Conference Decides Leader Elections
The United Methodist Church’s top court said it’s up to General Conference to determine how to handle the elections of the court’s membership. In a separate decision, the council also ruled that agency board members elected in 2016 can serve again. Read more
Apr 24, 2024
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Bishop Challenges Conference to Move Forward from Conflicts under God's Power
Bishop Thomas Bickerton challenged delegates to the 2024 General Conference to cast off the trauma of past conflicts and move forward "under the power of the Holy Spirit" to create a new United Methodist Church. Read more
Apr 24, 2024
UMC Future
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UMC Bishops Call for Leadership Gathering Instead of Special Session in 2026
The Council of Bishops has decided to hold a leadership conference to maintain the positive momentum from the 2020/2024 General Conference. Read more
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Commission Co-sponsors AfroLatinidad Workshop Series
The General Commission on Religion and Race has partnered with The Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry to present a compelling webinar series on "Understanding AfroLatinidad," the cohort of Black persons within Spanish-speaking communities. Read more
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My Twelve Convictions as the UMC Moves Forward
The Rev. Steve West came to 12 discernments about the motives behind disaffiliations and the future of The United Methodist Church while on a recent spiritual retreat. Read more
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'Too Important to Let It Slip Away': College Ministers Concerned About Future Support
Leaders of Holston Conference's five Wesley Foundations express concern about the future of their ministries, especially as the denomination downsizes. Wesley Foundation leaders share how their ministries make disciples and change lives. Read more
