“Using music and worship to center us, to remind us who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us, has been, I think, our overall guide in everything that we sought to do.” — Raymond Trapp, worship and music director for General Conference 2019.
NEWS AND FEATURES
A conversation with the GC2019 worship team
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — The Rev. Art McClanahan, director of communications for the Iowa Conference, talked this week with members of the General Conference worship team. They shared how they prepared themselves spiritually and listened for God's direction as they work to transform the dome in St. Louis from a sports venue into a sacred space.
Listen to podcast
Pastors write ‘love letter’ to LGBTQ laity
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — Just ahead of the special General Conference that will address the church’s longtime homosexuality debate, more than 100 United Methodist clergy have signed a letter aimed at comforting LGBTQ people in the pews. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Africa Initiative gathers delegates before GC2019
CARLINVILLE, Ill. (UMNS) — Many central conference delegates attending the Africa Initiative’s pre-conference gathering expressed support for the Modified Traditional Plan, one of the plans to be considered at The United Methodist Church’s special called session of General Conference, which begins Feb. 23. E Julu Swen has the story.
Read story
Texas Conference
Texas church striving to engage college students
TYLER, Texas — Every Wednesday night, more than 40 college students gather at Marvin United Methodist Church for Bible study. For Jake Womack, director of student ministries, the gathering is a bid to counter the trend of churchgoing young people who abandon religion when they start college. Sherri Gragg reports.
Read story
WSFA-12 News
Church struggles to recover post-hurricane
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — St. Andrew United Methodist Church has stood in Panama City for over 60 years, but the last four months have challenged the church like never before. The Rev. John Blount is overseeing the church’s recovery following Hurricane Michael, which caused significant damage. While progress has been made, Blount said they have a long way to go. Sally Pitts reports.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Insurance
United Methodist Insurance boosts coverage options
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Insurance, a subsidiary of the denomination’s General Council on Finance and Administration, has partnered with Travel Insured International to supply new group travel protection insurance to United Methodist groups, families and individuals. The coverage applies to mission trips as well as to business and leisure travel.
Read press release
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Ways to follow what’s happening at GC2019
ST. LOUIS (UMC.org) — United Methodist Communications will be livestreaming proceedings at the special General Conference in English, French and American Sign Language. The stream at umc.org/live will include all open sessions when the lawmaking assembly meets Feb. 23-26. Visual learners also can view a chart that offers an overview of four main plans under consideration.
Watch the livestream
See chart on plans heading to GC2019
More resources on GC2019
RECENT HEADLINES
Court voids 2016 rule for bishops outside U.S.
Deaconess movement flourishes in the Philippines
EVENTS
Monday, March 11-Friday, March 22
Online class: Writing Your Christian Testimony
NEWS AND FEATURES
A conversation with the GC2019 worship team
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — The Rev. Art McClanahan, director of communications for the Iowa Conference, talked this week with members of the General Conference worship team. They shared how they prepared themselves spiritually and listened for God's direction as they work to transform the dome in St. Louis from a sports venue into a sacred space.
Listen to podcast
Pastors write ‘love letter’ to LGBTQ laity
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — Just ahead of the special General Conference that will address the church’s longtime homosexuality debate, more than 100 United Methodist clergy have signed a letter aimed at comforting LGBTQ people in the pews. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Africa Initiative gathers delegates before GC2019
CARLINVILLE, Ill. (UMNS) — Many central conference delegates attending the Africa Initiative’s pre-conference gathering expressed support for the Modified Traditional Plan, one of the plans to be considered at The United Methodist Church’s special called session of General Conference, which begins Feb. 23. E Julu Swen has the story.
Read story
Texas Conference
Texas church striving to engage college students
TYLER, Texas — Every Wednesday night, more than 40 college students gather at Marvin United Methodist Church for Bible study. For Jake Womack, director of student ministries, the gathering is a bid to counter the trend of churchgoing young people who abandon religion when they start college. Sherri Gragg reports.
Read story
WSFA-12 News
Church struggles to recover post-hurricane
PANAMA CITY, Fla. — St. Andrew United Methodist Church has stood in Panama City for over 60 years, but the last four months have challenged the church like never before. The Rev. John Blount is overseeing the church’s recovery following Hurricane Michael, which caused significant damage. While progress has been made, Blount said they have a long way to go. Sally Pitts reports.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
United Methodist Insurance
United Methodist Insurance boosts coverage options
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Insurance, a subsidiary of the denomination’s General Council on Finance and Administration, has partnered with Travel Insured International to supply new group travel protection insurance to United Methodist groups, families and individuals. The coverage applies to mission trips as well as to business and leisure travel.
Read press release
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Ways to follow what’s happening at GC2019
ST. LOUIS (UMC.org) — United Methodist Communications will be livestreaming proceedings at the special General Conference in English, French and American Sign Language. The stream at umc.org/live will include all open sessions when the lawmaking assembly meets Feb. 23-26. Visual learners also can view a chart that offers an overview of four main plans under consideration.
Watch the livestream
See chart on plans heading to GC2019
More resources on GC2019
RECENT HEADLINES
Court voids 2016 rule for bishops outside U.S.
Deaconess movement flourishes in the Philippines
EVENTS
Monday, March 11-Friday, March 22
Online class: Writing Your Christian Testimony
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