“We are a beautiful, diverse, international worldwide church and the regionalization plan is a reflection of what that looks like.”— Incoming Council of Bishops President Tracy Smith Malone.
General Conference gives regionalization green light
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making. In what outgoing Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called “a historic day for our church,” delegates voted 586 to 164 for an amendment to the denomination’s constitution that will now go before annual conference voters for potential ratification. Heather Hahn reports.
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NEWS AND FEATURES
Eurasian conferences get go-ahead to form own church
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — General Conference delegates approved the departure of four Eurasian annual conferences — which encompass 66 churches in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Together, the four plan to form the autonomous Christian Methodist Church. Eurasia Area Bishop Eduard Khegay, who is also leaving, expressed his gratitude for the decision. Heather Hahn reports.
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Bishop preaches Thursdays in Black message
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — In many cultures, the color black is a symbol of mourning. But on April 25, General Conference delegates claimed black as a symbol of resistance and resilience, calling attention to rape and violence against women and vowing to end the church’s silence and inaction. During morning worship, Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling raised her voice to tell women who have suffered abuse: “You are strong. You are brave. And you are beloved of God.” Melissa Lauber has the story.
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Groups busy advocating at legislative assembly
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Groups seeking to influence legislation and raise awareness about causes are busy on the periphery of General Conference. They include Mainstream UMC, Good News, Fossil Free UMC and others. Sam Hodges reports.
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Global craft market supports delegates, ministries
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — Volunteers from the Love Your Neighbor Coalition and United Women in Faith of the Western North Carolina Conference are helping central conference delegates sell crafts and other goods from their home countries at General Conference. The assistance allows delegates and reserves to focus on the work of the legislative assembly. Kristen Caldwell reports on the Worldwide Craft Market.
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April 25 wrap-up: What happened on Day 3
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News) — The third day of General Conference produced two historic moments: the passage of a constitutional amendment that aims to put The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions on equal footing and the approval of four Eurasian conferences’ official departure from the denomination. Joey Butler reports on the day’s happenings.
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Louisiana Conference
A mom’s journey to General Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Rev. Marissa Horvath, a Louisiana delegate, is mastering the art of multitasking. Not only is she tackling her role as an alternate delegate with gusto, but she’s also a super mom on the side. She shares more about her journey to Charlotte and how her son's presence reminds everyone at the lawmaking assembly that they’re crafting a church for the next generation.
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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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