“The Boards of Ordained Ministry of both the Baltimore-Washington and New York Annual Conferences have independently decided that it is time to create the space to act out of our freedom of conscience, and our experience of God’s power at work through women and men who identify themselves as LGBTQ disciples of Jesus Christ.” — Open letter from the two boards.
Boards challenge others to remove LGBTQ bar
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Two boards of ordained ministry challenged others to remove a hurdle that has stopped many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people from answering their call into ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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GC2016: Remaking denomination’s map?
PORTLAND, Ore. (UMNS) — Could reshaping the map of The United Methodist Church help strengthen the denomination? Delegates to the 2016 General Conference, the denomination’s top lawmaking body, will consider proposals that aim to do just that. Heather Hahn reports.
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Bishop Coyner’s advice for GC2016
INDIANAPOLIS (UMNS) — A week before the 2016 General Conference convenes, Indiana Area Bishop Michael Coyner has some advice. “Relax, breathe, pray and seek God's guidance rather than your preconceived positions,” he writes in his E-pistle. “The prayer of Jesus ‘not my will, but thine, be done’ would be a great place to start.”
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Global Ministries gets $1.5 million
ATLANTA (UMNS) — The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation Inc. of Atlanta is contributing $1.5 million to the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries to support the agency’s new headquarters. The facility on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown Atlanta is part of the agency’s restructuring and move from New York City later this year.
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WCC’s U.S. visit focuses on racial justice
FERGUSON, Mo. — A delegation from the World Council of Churches is preparing a report after finding examples of deep, wide and pervasive racism during a U.S. visit in April. United Methodist Bishop Mary Ann Swenson reflects on the visit and the issue of racial injustice in a video recorded in Ferguson.
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Historian in the spotlight
TIFTON, Ga. (UMNS) — Gary L. Roberts is a historian and United Methodist whose research into the Methodist role in the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre will be featured at General Conference 2016. Kara Witherow of the South Georgia Conference offers a profile of Roberts.
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Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Tuesday, May 31
Early-bird deadline for Young Preachers Festival and Conference — Gathering will be Thursday-Friday, July 21-22, at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, Kansas. United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is helping to organize the event for seminarians, declared candidates for ministry and young clergy to cultivate their preaching skills. $69. Details
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