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UM News Digest - May 12, 2025
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“There was a significant investment of time by the former host committee and members, planning, along with financial investments that required the Commission to give strong consideration to naming Minneapolis for 2028.” — The Rev. Aleze Fulbright, General Conference secretary.
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The Minneapolis Convention Center stands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. Photo by Dan Anderson, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis.
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Minneapolis chosen for 2028 General Conference
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — United Methodist organizers plan to make good on the original location of the COVID-delayed 2020 lawmaking assembly, choosing Minneapolis as the host city for the next General Conference scheduled for May 8-18, 2028. The Commission on the General Conference also hopes to make up the $1.8 million budget deficit accumulated over earlier sessions. Heather Hahn reports. |
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Michigan Conference
Planning more help for Haiti
LANSING, Mich. — A proposal to raise $215,000 in the coming year to help ministries in Haiti will be headed for a vote at the Michigan Annual Conference meeting May 30 to June 1. Fifty percent of the funding would be earmarked to support health care, housing and education initiatives through Michigan’s three EngageMI ministry partners, with the other half supporting work by a new partner, Grassroots Community Voices Foundation. The foundation focuses on livelihood sustainability through microfinance and savings programs. Kay DeMoss has the story.
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Holston Conference
Churches raise funds to house flood survivors
EMBREEVILLE, Tenn. — A coalition of United Methodist pastors and congregations raised more than $300,000 over seven months to fund six new homes for Hurricane Helene survivors living in this eastern Tennessee community. The mortgage-free homes are being constructed in partnership with Appalachia Service Project. Annette Spence has the story.
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California-Nevada Conference
Church thrives by looking at assets
UKIAH, Calif. — The community of Ukiah is a microcosm of American culture, with neighborhoods divided by income levels. Ukiah United Methodist Church has become a thriving congregation by bringing people together by focusing on people’s assets rather than needs. The Rev. Michele Robbins, the church’s pastor, has the story.
Read story |
Northern Illinois Conference
United Methodists lobby for justice
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Environmental justice and immigration, along with education and mental health for youth, were the priorities at Advocacy Day on May 7 at the Illinois State Capitol. More than 65 United Methodists and partners showed up to engage directly with state legislators. Several groups participated, including Advocacy Partners of the Northern Illinois Conference Commission on Religion and Race and the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Church and Society Committee. Lisa Smith reports.
Read story
Franciscan Action Network
Bishop joins advocacy for Gaza relief
WASHINGTON — United Methodist Bishop Ande Emmanuel, who leads the Nigeria Episcopal Area and mission conferences in Senegal and Cameroon, joined the Rev. Neal Christie in visiting the U.S. Congress to advocate for an end to the food blockade in Gaza. The two United Methodists were part of the Christians for Ceasefire Campaign, organized by the Franciscan Action Network. For 10 weeks, Israel’s ban on food and other relief supplies has been driving rampant hunger in the territory, aid workers say. However, aid workers also have concerns about the details of a new U.S. and Israeli plan that would offer aid to only 60% of Gazans.
Learn more about campaign
NPR: Top aid groups object to U.S. aid plan |
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Higher Education and Ministry
Information on educational-standards amendment
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry explains why it backs an amendment to Paragraph 35 in the denomination’s constitution. The amendment aims to standardize and clarify who is eligible to vote for clergy delegates to General Conference. The amendment is the fourth ballot going before annual conference voters. Without ratification, the agency says, educational and voting standards would remain adaptable and inconsistent.
Learn more
UM News: Church constitutional amendments head to vote |
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Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News
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African women speak against gender violence
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File photo courtesy of Los Feliz UMC
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Los Angeles church sees renewal under new pastor
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