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Daily digest - February 23, 2019

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“Here we are again, God. United Methodists are conferencing again, a little sooner than usual. We need your guidance a little more than usual.” — Retired Bishop Peter Weaver at the Feb. 23 Day of Prayer. 


NEWS AND FEATURES 

Sweet hours of prayer begin GC2019

ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — United Methodists from all points of the globe spent six hours praying for the church before beginning the 2019 General Conference’s hard work of reviewing church policy regarding homosexuality. After supporters of changing those policies raised concerns, the second half of the program began with an emotional call to pray for “our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.” Kathy L. Gilbert reports. 
Read story 

Court to consider GC2019 request from bishops
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — The United Methodist Judicial Council received a petition for a declaratory decision from the Council of Bishops regarding the constitutionality of two GC2019 legislative items, Petitions 90052 and 90078. Linda Bloom reports.
Read story

Good News GC2019 breakfast draws big crowd
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — A larger-than-expected crowd turned out for a breakfast meeting hosted by Good News, an unofficial traditionalist advocacy group, on the first day of the special General Conference. Sam Hodges and Heather Hahn have the story. 
Read story

LGBTQ voices heard at pre-GC event 
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — As the opening of the 2019 General Conference loomed, a handful of openly gay delegates talked about legislation and more with fellow allies of full inclusion for LGBTQ people in The United Methodist Church. Sam Hodges reports. 
Read story

GC2019: Day of Prayer in pictures
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — The special General Conference began with a daylong session of prayer that honored The United Methodist Church’s worldwide connection. United Methodist News Service photographers captured the images of the day.
View photos


RESOURCES

United Methodist Communications
Ways to follow what’s happening at GC2019

ST. LOUIS (UMC.org) — United Methodist Communications will be livestreaming proceedings at the special General Conference in English, French and American Sign Language. The stream at umc.org/live will include all open sessions when the lawmaking assembly meets Feb. 23-26. Visual learners also can view a chart that offers an overview of four main plans under consideration. 
Watch the livestream
See chart on plans heading to GC2019
More resources on GC2019


RECENT HEADLINES

Africa Initiative gathers delegates before GC2019


Pastors write love letter to LGBTQ laity


EVENTS

Sunday, Feb. 24

General Conference 2019, worship begins at 7:30 a.m.

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