“We used our speeches as flaming arrows against one another, our voting ballots as bullets. We failed to reach a compromise as Christ’s followers and United Methodists.” — Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., speaking of the 2019 General Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Reaction to GC2019 remains strong
NASHVILLE (UMNS) — One week after the special called General Conference, United Methodists of varying perspectives continue to react to the decision to strengthen restrictions against ordination of openly gay clergy and same-sex unions. Protests have been widespread, and meetings by local churches and conferences to discuss the future are underway or planned. Sam Hodges and Kathy L. Gilbert report.
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Editor’s note: UMNS is repeating the item below from yesterday’s digest. Because of intermittent website issues, some readers may have been unable to access the link.
Beginning to look ahead after GC2019
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — The Wesleyan Covenant Association is sticking around, and so are a number of church members who plan to continue defying the denomination’s policies on homosexuality. Healing remains a work in progress. Heather Hahn offers an overview of some developments since General Conference adjourned.
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PRESS RELEASES
Commission on Religion and Race
Affirming a mandate to confront oppression
ST. LOUIS — At a meeting following General Conference 2019, directors of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race affirmed the agency’s responsibility to work against oppression.
Read press release
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Lutheran bishop sends letter after GC2019
CHICAGO — The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, sent a letter to The United Methodist Church following the special General Conference, assuring that “as the UMC takes its next steps, we in the ELCA will continue to walk with our full communion partner.” The ELCA assembly in 2009 voted to allow those in same-gender relationships to serve as pastors.
Read letter
United Methodist Association of Communicators
Phillips, Tanton named Communicators of the Year
ST. LOUIS — Mary Catherine Phillips, director of communications for the Alabama-West Florida Conference, and Tim Tanton, chief news officer for United Methodist Communications, were honored as Communicators of the Year during the recent United Methodist Association of Communicators annual meeting. The Rev. Daniel R. Gangler, who retired as an Indiana Conference communicator, was inducted into the UMAC Hall of Fame. Kay DeMoss reports.
Read about Communicators of the Year
Read about UMAC Hall of Fame recipient
UMAC honors United Methodist communicators
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Watch video recap of GC2019
ST. LOUIS — A team from United Methodist Communications put together a five-minute summary video with footage from the Feb. 23-26 Special Session of General Conference.
Watch video
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EVENTS
Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10
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