Human Sexuality

Human Rights
The Rev. Rushing Kimball stands next to a sign for Broadway United Methodist Church in Orlando, Fla. The congregation and Kimball personally have experienced protests and threats from people who oppose the church’s LGBTQ-affirming stance. Photo courtesy of Kimball, Broadway United Methodist Church.

Orlando churches face anti-LGBTQ protests

United Methodist churches in central Florida have been among the congregations targeted in recent months by anti-LGBTQ protesters threatening to disrupt worship.
Human Sexuality
The Rev. Izzy Alvaran (right) and others pray together on May 1 after the 2024 United Methodist General Conference, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., voted to remove the denomination's ban on the ordination of "self-avowed practicing” gay clergy — a prohibition that dated to 1984. Alvaran is on the staff of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which has unveiled a new strategic plan after success at last year’s General Conference. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

LGBTQ advocates aim to build on 2024 gains

Reconciling Ministries Network, after success at last year’s General Conference, hopes to help the emerging United Methodist Church live into a more inclusive future.
Social Concerns
United Methodists in North Carolina and beyond say it’s important for Christians with opposing political views to seek common ground. That’s the idea behind the Western North Carolina Conference’s Purple Church Initiative, which aims to foster dialogue between conservative and progressive church members. Church image by Steven Kyle Adair; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Looking for middle ground in a divisive era

As President Trump returns to office, some United Methodists are preparing to respond to new policies on immigration, while others are hoping common ground is still possible among politically diverse members.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles. Photo courtesy of the author.

Coming out with the new Book of Discipline

The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles, a veteran General Conference delegate, writes about what the removal of the Discipline’s longtime anti-gay stance means for The United Methodist Church and for her personally.

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