“Delegates to General Conference, just as members of an Annual Conference, are bound to do as their conscience dictates what is good for the Church of Jesus Christ, The United Methodist Church, in particular, and that only.” — Judicial Council in Decision No. 592.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Breaking up would be hard to do
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The 2020 United Methodist General Conference will continue the denomination’s 47-year debate on homosexuality. Kathy L. Gilbert reports on the history that has brought the denomination to the brink of breaking up.
Read news analysis and timeline
South Georgia Conference
Churches rise after Hurricane Michael
DONALSONVILLE, Ga. — Nearly one year after Hurricane Michael destroyed parts of southwest Georgia, blue tarps still dot the landscape. But churches that had structural damage have rallied and continue doing outreach in recovering communities. Kara Witherow has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Active shooter seminar helps churches
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In an active shooter situation, churches can’t wait five to seven minutes for first responders to arrive. Church members are the true first responders and need to be actively engaged in protecting their own lives, according to a security seminar for United Methodist church leaders. Jessica Brodie reports.
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Pastor’s gun buy-back program a success
Michigan Conference
Clergy need help with fitness
LANSING, Mich. — Data shows that clergy are substantially less healthy than people in other jobs, said the Rev. Don Emmert, director of conference benefits and human resources for the Michigan Conference. Emmert suggested that clergy address fitness as a spiritual issue. Diane Brown has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Local Initiatives Grant winners announced
WASHINGTON — The Council of Bishops has announced three winners of the $1,000 Local Initiatives Grants, which support projects aimed at strengthening ecumenical and/or interreligious relationships. The grant recipients are a Wesley Foundation campus ministry in South Carolina, two churches in New Jersey and the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Read press release
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
Preventing a United Methodist Berlin Wall
MOSCOW (UM News) — Eurasia Area Bishop Eduard Khegay finds lessons for The United Methodist Church in remembering the fall of the Berlin Wall nearly 30 years ago. Khegay, whose area is in the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference, calls on Christians to promote freedom, friendship and unity among nations and people.
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RECENT HEADLINES
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