Council of Bishops

Bishops urged to prepare for seismic shift

United Methodist Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton sees potential for big changes coming out of General Conference — including an end to the denomination’s bans related to LGBTQ people. Bishops, he said, will have a role to play in what comes next.

Ecumenism

Bishop Sally Dyck, ecumenical officer for the Council of Bishops, speaks about the importance of The United Methodist Church’s relationships with other Christian bodies and the challenges those relations face. Sitting to her right are East Congo Area Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, Nordic-Baltic Area Bishop Christian Alsted, Germany Area Bishop Harald Rückert, Central and Southern Europe Area Bishop Stefan Zürcher and ecumenical staff officers the Rev. Jean Hawxhurst and David N. Field. Photo by Rick Wolcott, courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Church faces shake-up in ecumenical relations

The United Methodist Church is grappling with questions that affect its relationships with other Methodist denominations and its growing ties with The Episcopal Church.

Bishops

East Ohio Conference Bishop Tracy S. Malone speaks Nov. 6 at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, N.C., during a memorial service for bishops and spouses who have died over the past six months. During its November meeting, the Council of Bishops elected Malone to serve as the council’s next president. Photo by Rick Wolcott, courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishops elect new leaders, plan for renewed church

During its November meeting, the United Methodist Council of Bishops elected its first Black woman president and other officers. The bishops also discussed their vision for how the denomination can move on from a tumultuous time.

Violence

Palestinians pass by destruction from the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in the Maghazi refugee camp on Nov. 3. The United Methodist Council of Bishops released a statement on the Israel-Gaza conflict amid rising international calls for a cease-fire. The bishops called for prayer and encouraged work toward long-lasting peace. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Bishops call for peacemaking in Holy Land

The United Methodist Council of Bishops released a statement on the Israel-Gaza conflict amid rising international calls for a cease-fire. The bishops say they want to encourage work toward long-lasting peace.

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