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Bishop Laurie Haller looks to the General Conference

Bishop Laurie Haller shares her feelings about the upcoming General Conference.

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Bishops
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, who leads the Upper New York and Susquehanna conferences, distributes communion to participants during opening worship service on April 23, 2024, at General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Next to him, also distributing communion, is Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr., who is now the Council of Bishops president. A United Methodist leadership body recommends that the U.S. have 34 bishops starting in 2028. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Group advises adding 2 more US bishops
While recognizing The United Methodist Church’s financial constraints, church leaders have approved a recommendation to increase the number of U.S. bishops in 2028.
Human Sexuality
Jan Lawrence addresses Reconciling Ministries Network’s convocation held July 24-27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in downtown Madison, Wis. Lawrence is retiring after serving as Reconciling Ministries Network’s executive director for nearly a decade. Many United Methodists credit her with helping to lead the denomination to a new day. File photo by Joscie Cutchens, UM News.

LGBTQ leader retires after pivotal changes
Jan Lawrence kept United Methodist advocates organized after the denomination strengthened bans against LGBTQ people and helped lead the way toward the longtime bans’ repeal.
Ecumenism
The United Methodist Council of Bishops and leaders of The United Church of Canada have approved an interim covenant between their denominations. The agreement includes their intent to bring a full communion proposal for the approval of the United Methodist General Conference and the United Church’s General Council, which are both scheduled to meet in 2028. Logos courtesy of United Methodist Communications and with permission of The United Church of Canada.

United Methodists bolster ties in Canada
The United Methodist Church and United Church of Canada have formed an interim covenant with the goal of full communion. Driving the move is increased migration to Canada.

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