“A prayer room at General Conference is absolutely essential because our work needs to be a practice of holy conferencing and discernment, and you can’t do holy conferencing and discernment by resolutions and votes.” — Thomas Albin, a prayer room volunteer and former dean of the chapel for The Upper Room.
Prayer room provides quiet space for delegates
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — At the end of a quiet hallway on the upper floor of the Charlotte Convention Center, delegates and visitors find space to pray. The Upper Room’s “Cultivating the Garden of the Heart” prayer room features three dedicated prayer altars and eight stations with Scripture-based activity prompts. Audrey Stanton-Smith has the story.
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NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishop: Follow God’s lead at gathering
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Bishop Sharma Lewis urged delegates to try to discern God’s plans before they settle on their own as United Methodism moves into uncharted territory. During morning worship on April 26, the Mississippi Conference bishop used examples from her own life to illustrate that human rationality has its limits, but God does not. Jim Patterson reports.
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Bishops, delegates join rally for Palestine
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — While pro-Palestinian rallies are happening across the U.S., United Methodists at General Conference had their chance to gather in a peaceful show of support on the evening of April 25. Sponsored by United Methodist Kairos Response, the rally brought together more than 100 United Methodist delegates and observers — along with at least six bishops — to hear from a variety of speakers and sing hymns in solidarity. Those who attended said the church can’t remain silent when people are suffering. Neill Caldwell reports.
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Great Plains Conference
Bishop makes history by presiding at General Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a scene more than 180 years in the making, The United Methodist Church’s first Native American bishop became the first Indigenous person to chair a session of the General Conference on April 25. Wilson, a member of the Choctaw Nation who also has Cherokee heritage, said he thought about the significance of the moment on the drive to Charlotte. “I reflected on that a lot driving up and then just speaking to what few Native delegates we have here who supported me and coached me and were so proud of this moment,” he said. Todd Siefert has the story.
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April 26 GC wrap-up: What happened on Day 4
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — An otherwise quiet day of General Conference began with a rousing worship service with a gospel fervor led by Mississippi Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis. Joey Butler reports on the day’s happenings.
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At the side of those presiding
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — At General Conference, presiding bishops who get in the weeds with parliamentary procedure can turn to the man on their right. That would be Maurice S. Henderson, a past president of the National Association of Parliamentarians. Sam Hodges reports on Henderson’s path to parliamentary expertise and role as a consultant for the church legislative assembly in Charlotte.
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The Caring Congregation
Event focuses on healing church
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A hospitality suite near the General Conference venue is being offered at 7 p.m. April 29. The Caring Congregation, based in Overland Park, Kansas, teaches church leaders a team approach to care ministry. At the event at the Westin Charlotte, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. of the Central and North Texas conferences will share his vision for the church to reclaim care and healing ministries exemplified by Christ. There also will be refreshments, desserts and other activities.
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Follow General Conference in photos
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — UM News has a team of photographers covering all of the happenings at General Conference, from morning worship to committee meetings, plenary action, special celebrations and more. Thousands of high-resolution photos capturing the events will be posted on Flickr with a separate album for each day of the conference.
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