“In The United Methodist Church, we have a particular challenge with having a lot of churches that were started off all-white and have had trouble changing with the community.” — The Rev. Tony Phillips, associate pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Georgia.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Church revives itself with community engagement
SMYRNA, Ga. (UM News) — Taking advantage of grants from the North Georgia Conference, officials at Bethany United Methodist Church are working to diversify the congregation to better reflect its multicultural neighborhood. The Rev. Tony Phillips, a former Coca-Cola Company executive, is leading the community engagement effort. Jim Patterson reports.
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UM News: Promoting God instead of soda
Episcopal News Service
Episcopalians call for more dialogue with UMC
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Episcopal Church plans to vote in June on a resolution that would continue dialogue with The United Methodist Church, which recently voted for full communion with Episcopalians. The resolution going before The Episcopal Church’s General Convention congratulates The United Methodist Church on its recent votes ending LGBTQ restrictions and sets out additional planning before Episcopalians vote on full communion. Melodie Woerman reports.
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UM News: Full communion with Episcopalians gets closer
WBUR-On Point
Public radio reports on General Conference shifts
BOSTON — The National Public Radio show “On Point” talked to United Methodists about the recently concluded General Conference and its removal of bans on noncelibate gay clergy and same-sex weddings. Among the people interviewed are Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, Ashley Boggan D. of Archives and History, and the Rev. Beth Stroud, who was recently reinstated under a process General Conference approved. Meghna Chakrabarti hosts.
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UM News: Pastor reinstated after LGBTQ bans lifted
UM News: Historic assembly sets United Methodists on new path
Upper New York Conference
With bishop’s help, church burns mortgage
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. — Liverpool First United Methodist had two reasons to celebrate on Pentecost Sunday. Along with marking the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, the more than 200-year-old church celebrated paying off a mortgage it took out decades ago to enlarge and improve the church building and later refinanced to update the kitchen to commercial grade. The service was led by Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, whose installation service as bishop was hosted by the church in 2022. Charles McChesney reports.
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Great Plains Conference
Brewer named conference executive director
TOPEKA, Kan. — Scott Brewer has been named executive director of the Great Plains Conference. Brewer had been the conference treasurer. He worked 12 years for the General Council on Finance and Administration, and he was a Great Plains Conference delegate to the recent General Conference. He’s the son of retired Nebraska Conference pastors. David Burke reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group
Ethnic caucuses celebrate GC, press forward
FULTON, Md. — The Inter-Ethnic Strategy Development Group, which represents more than 20 ethnic communities within The United Methodist Church, released a statement after General Conference. The group celebrates the passage of regionalization legislation, which needs ratification by annual conference voters to take effect. The group also calls for mutual respect around the worldwide denomination.
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United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus
Queer Clergy Caucus shares joys and laments
PUYALLUP, Wash. — The United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus released a statement sharing joy at General Conference’s removal of restrictions against LGBTQ people and lamenting years of “abusive polity” that preceded this year’s actions. “Now, the hard work begins of repairing wounds and reconciling ourselves back to each other as disciples of Christ under the banner of United Methodism,” the statement says.
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RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodists offer help after deadly storms
Many hands help build church medical clinic
EVENTS
Thursday, May 30-Saturday, June 1
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Upper New York Annual Conference
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