General Church

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, who leads the Upper New York and Susquehanna conferences, distributes communion to participants during opening worship service on April 23, 2024, at General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Next to him, also distributing communion, is Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Rubén Saenz Jr., who is now the Council of Bishops president. A United Methodist leadership body recommends that the U.S. have 34 bishops starting in 2028. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Group advises adding 2 more US bishops

While recognizing The United Methodist Church’s financial constraints, church leaders have approved a recommendation to increase the number of U.S. bishops in 2028.

Theology and Education

A statue of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, stands in the center of campus at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. The United Methodist Church’s University Senate has decided to no longer list Asbury and Northeastern Seminary in Rochester, N.Y., as approved theological schools for preparing United Methodist pastors. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Leaders drop Asbury from approved seminaries

The United Methodist Church’s University Senate has removed Asbury Theological Seminary and Northeastern Seminary from its list of schools that can prepare students for ordination.

Judicial Council

Church court moves to broaden accessibility

The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council is launching a new e-filing system with the goal of making its work more efficient, transparent and readily available to church leaders around the globe.

Ecumenism

The United Methodist Council of Bishops and leaders of The United Church of Canada have approved an interim covenant between their denominations. The agreement includes their intent to bring a full communion proposal for the approval of the United Methodist General Conference and the United Church’s General Council, which are both scheduled to meet in 2028. Logos courtesy of United Methodist Communications and with permission of The United Church of Canada.

United Methodists bolster ties in Canada

The United Methodist Church and United Church of Canada have formed an interim covenant with the goal of full communion. Driving the move is increased migration to Canada.

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