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UM News is the official news gathering agency of the 13-million member United Methodist Church. Map courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by UM News.

40-year ban on gay clergy struck down
General Conferences continues to quietly reverse some of The United Methodist Church’s longtime restrictions against LGBTQ members.

Editor's Picks

General Conference
The combined chancel and youth choirs from Davidson (N.C.) United Methodist Church sing during morning worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

April 30 wrap-up: Some LGBTQ bans lifted, Episcopal communion approved
On the second full day of General Conference voting, delegates fast-tracked a large number of items via consent calendar.
General Conference
Bishop David Alan Bard of the Michigan Episcopal Area views the result of a close vote during debate April 30 at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Delegates voted to reduce the base rate for The United Methodist Church’s apportionment formula. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

General Conference reduces requested giving
After vigorous debate, delegates voted to reduce the base rate — a key component used in calculating requested annual-conference apportionments.
General Conference
Participants place flameless candles in front of crosses during a Service of Lament, Confession and Hope on April 29 at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. The service commemorated victims of sexual abuse within the denomination and called the church to greater accountability. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Time put aside at General Conference to lament abuse
After business came to a close on April 29, delegates, church officials and observers gathered outdoors on a terrace of the Charlotte Convention Center to lament the damage done by sexual abusers associated with the church and the institution’s complicity.

Latest News

General Conference
Delegates Jay Williams (left), New England Conference, and Allie Scott, Wisconsin Conference, look over the day’s agenda before the start of the United Methodist General Conference plenary session on April 30 in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

LGBTQ bans slowly being eliminated
Ecumenism
Ecumenical guests join in morning worship on April 30 during the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Full communion with Episcopalians gets closer
General Conference
Diane Brown, a Michigan Conference delegate and chair of the credentials committee, gives a report on delegate numbers during the April 29 afternoon plenary of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Absent delegates in spotlight at General Conference
Theology and Education
Jim Salley, president/chief executive officer of Africa University Inc. and a delegate from South Carolina, introduces the board of Africa University to the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Monday April 29. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Delegates celebrate success, growth of Africa University
General Conference
Bishops Bishop Mande Muyombo (left) of the North Katanga Episcopal Area and Gaspar João Domingos of the Angola West Episcopal Area bless the elements of Holy Communion during April 23 opening worship at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Africa University graduates serve at General Conference
General Conference
Volunteer Nicole Jones helps welcome an attendee to the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 29. More than 1,000 volunteers have donned the distinctive red apron as volunteers at the legislative assembly, which continues through May 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Seeing red: Volunteers make conference run smoothly
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Local Church
Dancers Annika Schneider (left) and Briana Hanson from United Methodist-related Pfeiffer University help introduce a report from United Women in Faith on April 29 during the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Women’s group celebrates past, present, future impact
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Evangelism
Christians historically have disagreed on when to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. But efforts continue to get everyone on the same page, especially with an important milestone in global Christianity coming up next year. Original image by TC Perch, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

The calendar controversies behind Easter
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Social Concerns
General Conference delegates pray as Bishop Connie Shelton of the Raleigh Episcopal Area leads a prayer for victims of a deadly shooting in east Charlotte on April 29. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Delegates pray after Charlotte shooting
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Mission and Ministry
Ashley Boggan D. (left), top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, and the Rev. Molly Vetter, senior pastor of Westwood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, talk about the new United Methodist Stories app unveiled by the agency during a press conference April 29 at General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Crystal Caviness, United Methodist Communications.

New app will preserve United Methodist history
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General Church
Following the consecration of deaconesses on April 29, United Methodist Bishops Robin Dease (left), Karen Oliveto, and Kennetha Bigham-Tsai lead singing of participants in the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

April 29 wrap-up: African bishops added; prayers after Charlotte shooting
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Commentaries

The Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes. Photo by Jake Harsh, courtesy of Discipleship Ministries.

Courageous Conversations at General Conference
The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. Photo courtesy of Wesley Theological Seminary.

Revised Social Principles offer new start
Bishop Ernest S. Lyght. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Transformative unmasking paves a way forward
Dr. Kent Millard. Photo courtesy of United Theological Seminary.

Please spare Ministerial Education Fund
Christine Schneider. Photo courtesy of the author.

Central conferences already have exit paths
The Rev. Rob Renfroe, president of the unofficial advocacy group Good News. Photo courtesy of Rob Renfroe.

Traditionalist caucus president speaks to criticism
The Rev. Mark R. Holland. Photo courtesy of the author.

Say ‘no’ to disaffiliation petitions
The Rev. Forbes Matonga. Video image by UM News

African regionalization support hardly unanimous
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News From UMC Partners

Faith Stories
April is National Donate Life Month which highlights the urgent, widespread need for lifesaving donations of organs Graphic courtesy of Donate Life America.
April is National Donate Life Month which highlights the urgent, widespread need for lifesaving donations of organs Graphic courtesy of Donate Life America.

Church friendship grows from kidney donation
When Diane Boggess needed a second kidney transplant, her church family at Grove United Methodist Church came to the rescue. After hearing a sermon on sacrificial friendship, church member Susan Parno decided to step up as a donor.

Additional Headlines

Congregations
United Methodist churches in the Washington District help make Easter a little brighter for children in need. Photo courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conference.

Churches join forces to provide Easter baskets
Theology and Education
Desire Niyonkuru prepares for a class in the Styberg Libary at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. Niyonkuru will finish his master’s degree in pastoral care and counseling this spring, thanks in part to financial assistance from a scholarship funded by Michigan United Methodists. Photo courtesy of Sarah Pressley.

Burundi student to be counselor
Local Church
A community dinner church offered by Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church, Cannon United Methodist Church, and the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is proving to be popular. Photo courtesy of the North Georgia Conference.

Dinner church sets table for broader ministry
Local Church
United Methodist churches in Mitchell, S.D., are working together to serve their community. Photo courtesy of the Dakotas Conference.

Cooperation benefits small churches
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Multimedia

General Conference
Church leaders discuss issues coming to General Conference. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
Church leaders discuss issues coming to General Conference. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Pre-General Conference Video Resources
Leaders from the United Methodist general agencies talk about each agency’s role in the church and legislation they’ve submitted to be considered by General Conference delegates.

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Faith Sharing
John 20:29. United Methodist News. "The Doubting Thomas" by Leendert van der Cooghen, 1654 / Wikimedia Commons. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Social media graphics from UM News
Mission and Ministry
Adriano António Paulino (standing) joins in prayer before lunch at the Quéssua Mission in Angola. A feeding program there serves as many as 700 children from nearby villages. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

2023: The year in photos
Church Leadership
The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler (right) speaks with the Rev. Martha Orphe who contracted sarcoidosis from breathing contaminated air while cleaning out dozens of churches after Hurricane Katrina. Zoom video image courtesy of the Rev. Butler via YouTube.

Hollering for Change: Self-care and the “ministry of rest”
Faith Sharing
The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler (top right) speaks with the Revs. Romal Tune, Joe Daniels and Vance P. Ross about fathers and sons in the latest installment of the “Hollering for Change” series. Zoom video image courtesy of the Rev. Butler via YouTube.

Hollering for Change: Why are men discouraged from being vulnerable?
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World Press Freedom Day - Learn More
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Ask The UMC

General Conference
New legislation from GBHEM makes clergy formation more accessible, while a series of proposals from the Alabama-West Florida Conference would give more power to annual conferences in setting clergy standards. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
New legislation from GBHEM makes clergy formation more accessible, while a series of proposals from the Alabama-West Florida Conference would give more power to annual conferences in setting clergy standards. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Ask the UMC: What's new for GC 2024, Part 3: Clergy Formation
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry wants to improve access for local pastors, and the Alabama-West Florida Conference wants to center the process of clergy formation in each annual conference.

Additional Headlines

Church History
The first woman among the Methodists to graduate from seminary, Anna Oliver advocated for full clergy rights for women. Original image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Ask the UMC: Anna Oliver: Methodist scholar, preacher, and advocate
Worship
« Oremus et pro perfidis Judaeis » Good Friday prayer for the Jews in Latin and French, from a French Catholic Liturgy. Image courtesy of Wikimedia; edited from original.

Ask The UMC: Three ways to avoid anti-Judaism during Holy Week
Theology and Education
Crowds waving palm branches process through the streets of Port-Bouet, Ivory Coast, on Passion/Palm Sunday. This joyful scene is repeated all over the country by Ivorian United Methodists and Catholics. Photo by Isaac Broune, UM News.

Ask the UMC: Why do we observe Passion/Palm Sunday?
General Conference
The proposed budget for 2025-2028 represents the largest cuts for nearly all areas of ministry in the history of The United Methodist Church. What will this mean for the continuing United Methodist Church? Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask the UMC: What's New for GC 2024 Part 1: The Budget
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