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Judicial Council Decisions

Judicial Council
The United Methodist Judicial Council has postponed a ruling related to a dispute over a church closing in California, but issued two memorandums on other agenda items during its Oct. 21-23 fall meeting. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Top court delays ruling related to California church closure
The United Methodist Judicial Council will continue deliberations on Nov. 16 concerning a decision of law by Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank regarding the closure of La Trinidad United Methodist Church in California.
Judicial Council
The Book of Discipline contains the church law and procedures of The United Methodist Church. The Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court that responds to questions about church law, has launched a new e-filing system intended to make its work more accessible. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Church court moves to broaden accessibility
The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council is launching a new e-filing system with the goal of making its work more efficient, transparent and readily available to church leaders around the globe.
Judicial Council
Retired Bishop Marcus Matthews and other United Methodist bishops process into the opening worship service of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 23, 2024. The Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, has released three decisions, including one related to the allocation of active U.S. bishops. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Church court overturns bishop funding structure
The United Methodist Church’s top court has ruled unconstitutional some changes General Conference made that affect the funding of U.S. bishops.
Judicial Council
Members of the 2024-2028 Judicial Council are (front row, from left) the Rev. Jonathan Ulanday; the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, president; the Rev. Angela Brown, secretary; and Molly Hlekani Mwayera; (back row, from left) Bill Waddell; Andrew Vorbrich; the Rev. Øyvind Helliesen; the Rev. Luan-Vu Tran; and Harriett Olson. The Judicial Council publicly released a decision on June 3 related to the Mississippi Conference’s process for allowing congregations to leave with property. Photo by Linda Bloom, UM News.

Ruling: Stop alternative church-exit plans
The United Methodist Church’s top court strikes down the Mississippi Conference’s process to let churches leave with property after the denomination’s disaffiliation policy expired.

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