“It’s like the Spirit is giving us an opportunity to figure out how to live together in disagreement, so (we) don’t have to destroy each other.” — Jorge Lockward, a General Conference delegate, member of the United Methodist Queer Delegate Caucus and minister of worship arts at the Church of the Village in New York.
Queer Delegate Caucus debuts in Charlotte
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Members of the first caucus of LGBTQ delegates at a General Conference believe their time has finally come, but stress their efforts for full inclusion will continue whether or not the votes go their way. There is also hope for relationship-building with African delegates, who traditionally have opposed removing restrictions against LGBTQ people in the church. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
UM News: Church court reviews LGBTQ-related resolutions
Timeline: General Conference history with LGBTQ
NEWS AND FEATURES
Texas Conference
Texas church charters, merges
BRYAN, Texas — Bryan Community Church is a newly chartered United Methodist church that also merged with a local United Church of Christ congregation. Faith United Church of Christ offered to become United Methodist and gave their church building for worship and ministry. Brant Mills reports on the unusual turn of events.
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Alabama-West Florida
Top court allows disaffiliation suit to continue
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court is allowing Harvest Church's lawsuit against the Alabama-West Florida Conference and General Council on Finance and Administration to continue. Harvest Church sued the conference and finance agency in 2022, asking the court to declare it the “absolute, full, exclusive” owner of church property, without regard for the denomination’s disaffiliation process. In a statement, the conference expressed disappointment but said “this was a ruling on jurisdictional issues and the case will now proceed on the merits.”
Read Alabama Supreme Court decision
East Ohio Conference
Conference aids flood victims
RAYLAND, Ohio — Flood buckets and other help was delivered to the people along the Ohio River in the South Forest District after flooding over Easter Weekend. The Ohio River crested April 4 and the flood waters receded — but the mess left behind will leave a lasting impact on homes, properties and lives. Rick Wolcott has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Retirement + power tools + RV = NOMADS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A nomadic life may conjure images of aimlessly traveling with no sense of destination. For lifelong United Methodists Tammy and Rodney Ripley, who have been NOMADS for several years, their lives are far from aimless. On the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast, the Ripleys share how they join fellow retirees to offer hope in the way of construction and other general repairs.
Listen to podcast
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops to meet prior to General Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will hold its spring meeting beginning on April 17 to prepare for General Conference, which is being held April 23-May 3. The council is made up of all active and retired United Methodist bishops. About 95 bishops are expected to attend the in-person meeting at the Omni Hotel in Charlotte.
Read press release
SBC21
Incarceration press conference set
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An April 18 online press conference will divulge details of the National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice set for October in Kansas City, Missouri, at St. James Church. A previously released webinar about the challenges faced by people who get out of prison will be reposted the same day. The Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century event is set for noon U.S. Central time.
Read press release
Register for press conference
Status and Role of Women
General Conference events to lift up women’s issues
CHICAGO — The Commission on the Status and Role of Women has helped organize several events to give General Conference delegates and attendees opportunities to celebrate, recognize and be informed about issues impacting women within The United Methodist Church. An April 22 Women’s Delegate Briefing will delve into legislation affecting women and girls, while the April 25 Thursdays in Black service and April 29 Service of Lament, Confession and Hope will honor victims of sexual misconduct and gender-based violence.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Tri-Faith Initiative
Rural churches invited to help counter hatred
OMAHA, Neb. — The Tri-Faith Initiative, an interfaith partner of The United Methodist Church, is joining with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to present the Summit to Counter Antisemitism and Islamophobia and Related Forms of Hatred and Bias in Rural America. The summit is scheduled May 15-16 at the Tri-Faith Commons in Omaha. Some travel stipends are available.
Learn more and register
RECENT HEADLINES
Church helps survivors of fire in Congo
Fossil fuels divestment debate returns
EVENTS
Tuesday, April 23-Friday, May 3
General Conference
Thursday, May 2
Online Mission Meeting: #StillInMission Episode 66
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