Panelists
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Special to United Methodist Insight | April 16, 2024
CENTENNIAL, Colorado—Highlighting “The New United Methodism: Celebration & Challenges,” an upcoming free Zoom May 5 webinar will focus on the vision and voices of recently elected United Methodist episcopal leaders from the United States, Africa, and Europe. The event occurs a year after the momentous Charlotte General Conference in 2024 that moved United Methodism towards greater inclusivity.
Sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy (UMARC), the webinar is designed for laity and clergy. Free registration for the 4:00 p.m. (Mountain time) webinar is at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_phrSHx7BQRG6faCLGnW5Vg
Bishop Stoneking
The Rev. Kristin Stoneking speaks after being elected bishop of the United Methodist Church’s Western Jurisdiction on July 12, 2024, in Spokane, Washington. (Video screen grab)
Keynoting the hour-and-a-half conversation will be Bishop Kristin Stoneking of the Mountain Sky Area, Denver, Colorado. Joining her by video will be Bishop Ande Emmanuel of the Nigeria and Mission Districts of Senegal and Cameroon, Jalingo, Nigeria, and Bishop Knut Refsdal of the Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Area, Oslo, Norway.
Other international voices will be Filipino leaders, Rev. Dr. Israel Alvaran, Director of United Methodist Connections, Reconciling Ministries Network, San Francisco, California, and Ms. Karen Prudente, Treasurer of the Connectional Table and President of the National Association of Filipino American United Methodists, Briarcliff Manor, New York.
In dialogue about upcoming challenges facing United Methodism will be Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., President of Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Rev. Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Senior Consultant, at the Lewis Center, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. Also invited to share perspectives on the role of United Methodism in facing current conflicts in society is Bishop Julius Trimble, General Secretary, Church and Society, Washington, D.C.
Webinar leadership will be provided by UMARC Co-Chairs, Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, Centennial, Colorado, and Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. For more information, check out www.umarc.org
Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer is Co-Chair of the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy & Friends (UMARC), & Board Chair, Center for Health and Hope, Centennial, Colorado.