bishops

A 1961 map shows the location of churches and the borders of episcopal areas within the Central Jurisdiction, which the Methodist Church established to segregate Black members from the wider church. The union that formed The United Methodist Church in 1968 dissolved the Central Jurisdiction. During the Council of Bishops spring meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., bishops explored the legacy of the Central Jurisdiction as denominational leaders consider changes to the geographic jurisdictional system. Image courtesy of Archives and History.

Lessons from past shape jurisdictions’ future

United Methodist bishops learned more about the legacy of the segregated Central Jurisdiction and history of the jurisdictional system, as leaders contemplate possible changes to that system.

Global Health

Bishop Mande Muyombo (right) helps a woman settle into her new adapted bicycle in Kamina, Congo. At left are lay leader Kiluba Yolola Elie and Pastor Joseph Kasongo Mukolomone. The United Methodist Church distributed 97 bicycles to people living with disabilities in the North Katanga Conference. The initiative is funded by United Methodist partners in the North Georgia Conference. Photo by Yamba Kisonga Barthélémy, UM News.

Adapted bicycles break barriers, enrich lives in Congo

The United Methodist Church provides mobility assistance to people with disabilities in Kamina, including members of other religious denominations.

Faith Stories

Bishop Tracy S. Malone (far right) celebrates her oldest daughter’s wedding in 2023. From left are bride Alexis Malone Woolery and her sister, Ashley Malone Brown. Bishop Malone’s daughters say they have something special planned this year on Mother’s Day, since the day coincides with Woolery’s graduation and Woolery is the mother of a 1-year-old son. Photo by Sekoprince Studios.

Bishops’ children shed light on life with their moms

The daughters of four United Methodist episcopal leaders share what life is like when their mothers are the leaders of hundreds of churches.

Human Rights

An illustration shows Wesley Chapel, built in 1768 and located in downtown Manhattan. The chapel was the first meeting house of John Street United Methodist Church, the New York City church that grew out of the first Methodist Society in North America and still worships near Wall Street today. The church played a role in balancing civic responsibility in the early days of the U.S. republic and faithfulness to God. Photo courtesy of John Street United Methodist Church.

As US 250th nears, bishops discuss democracy

United Methodist bishops and scholars from around the world examined Christian faith and democracy at the spring Council of Bishops meeting. The discussions came as democracy faces threats around the world.

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