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General Conference
The Rev. Joy Barrett, a clergy delegate from the Michigan Conference, speaks on May 3 during the final day of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.
The Rev. Joy Barrett, a clergy delegate from the Michigan Conference, speaks on May 3 during the final day of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodists remove same-sex wedding ban
General Conference delegates approved four changes to church law that together both end remaining bans related to LGBTQ ministry and protect the rights of pastors to choose which weddings to perform or not to perform.

Editor's Picks

General Conference
Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Church ends 52-year-old anti-gay stance
General Conference delegates supported a revision of the Social Principles that deletes the phrase “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” That phrase has been part of church teachings since 1972.
General Conference
The Rev. Moses Kumar, top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration, answers a budget-related question on May 3 during the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

GC delegates pass budget, reduce U.S. bishops
General Conference delegates passed a general budget with a bottom line that could change depending on how high collections are over the next two years. They also approved the distribution of 32 U.S. bishops.
General Conference
From left, Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, the Rev. John Stephens, Bishop Tracy S. Malone, the Rev. Effie McAvoy and Bishop Connie Shelton talk about the future of The United Methodist Church at a press conference May 2 at General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Panelists look beyond General Conference
After historic decisions reversing The United Methodist Church’s longtime restrictions against LGBTQ members, church leaders see a denomination where everyone can belong, but they also acknowledge the hard work ahead.

Latest News

General Conference
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Council of Bishops president, preaches on May 3, the final day of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

‘Get out of God’s way,’ bishop urges
General Conference
A circa 1930-1945 postcard of the United Methodist Building as seen from the capitol grounds in Washington, D. C. The 100th birthday of the iconic building was acknowledged May 1 during General Conference. Image from the Boston Public Library/The Tichnor Brothers Collection, courtesy of the Digital Commonwealth/Massachusetts Collections Online.

General Conference marks Washington building centennial
General Conference
Support for Palestine came in different forms during the April 23-May 3 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Delegates approved a resolution asking United Methodist institutions not to invest in Israeli government bonds, due to Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Resolution opposes investment in Israeli bonds
General Conference
Sara Martin, her wheelchair pushed by Dan Levine, carries the banner of the Council of Bishops into the opening worship service of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 23. Behind them comes a procession of United Methodist bishops, headed by Bishop Forrest Stith on a motorized wheelchair. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Conference attendees power through mobility challenges
General Conference
The Rev. Jay Williams (right) hugs fellow delegates after the United Methodist General Conference, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., voted May 1 to remove The United Methodist Church’s longtime ban on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.” Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

40-year ban on gay clergy struck down
General Conference
Bishop David Graves (right) surveys the result of a General Conference vote on May 2 to approve a paragraph in the revised Social Principles that changes the church’s position on marriage. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

May 2 wrap-up: Delegates declare homosexuality no longer ‘incompatible’
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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
Bishop Ruby-Nell M. Estrella (right) commissions Mamei Sombo Lansana as a missionary during the May 2 morning worship of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Assisting are Grace Choi and Roland Fernandes. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Get out of silos and break down walls, bishop says
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Social Concerns
The Rev. Jerry Kulah of Liberia leads a protest on May 2 outside the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., after General Conference delegates supported a revision of the Social Principles that redefines marriage. Kulah and other Africans in attendance support traditional views of marriage. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Marriage decision sparks protest, celebration
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Mission and Ministry
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson (left), the Rev. Judy Chung and Jay Choy (right) commission S. Lee as a Missionary in a ceremony during the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Korean United Methodists commit to support missionaries
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General Church
The Rev. Karen Jones of the South Carolina Conference reacts to the passage of legislation during the United Methodist General Conference, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., that will allow deacons to preside over Holy Communion in the context of their local appointments. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Deacons can now preside at sacraments in their appointments
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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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