United Methodist News Service

Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton preached during opening worship for the postponed 2020 General Conference, encouraging delegates to commit to the revitalization of The United Methodist Church.

The United Methodist Church’s Judicial Council responded to questions about what General Conference’s delay by four years means for the membership of both agency boards and the church court itself.

On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists held a candlelight Vigil for Creation to mark Earth Day and to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation.

The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters advanced legislation dealing with regionalization, the status of Eurasian conferences and the number of bishops in Africa.

The United Methodist Global AIDS Committee facilitated a daylong conference as part of the run-up to the denomination’s lawmaking assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina.

United Methodists in Zimbabwe and Maryland celebrate a dream come true at the dedication of a new state-of-the-art health clinic at the church’s Munyarari Mission.

United Methodist Norma P. Dollaga is the recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award for her four decades of service focusing on peace and justice.

Church officials are still scrambling to get delegates from Africa and other non-U.S. parts of The United Methodist Church to the legislative assembly that begins April 23 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A Dakotas Conference’s online Q&A about General Conference had answers maliciously changed, Bishop Lanette Plambeck says.

United Methodist Communications and United Methodist News have been preparing for the challenge of covering and publicizing developments of the long-delayed General Conference. Here’s how interested people can track the historic event, set for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Courageous Conversations project began in 2015 with the goal of equipping churches with tools to facilitate learning opportunities on any subject.

During the April 10 livestream event, Wespath staff addressed its relationship with the Global Methodist Church that broke away from The United Methodist Church in May 2022.

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.

Wespath, The United Methodist Church’s pension and benefits agency, is asking General Conference to authorize a new retirement program for U.S. clergy.

Rick King, chief financial officer of the General Council on Finance and Administration, talks about the agency’s role in helping prepare the general church budget and several pieces of legislation that relate to the budget.

Members of the first caucus of LGBTQ delegates at a General Conference believe their time has finally come, but stress their efforts for full inclusion will continue whether or not the votes go their way.

Andrew Hendren, top executive of Wespath Benefits and Investments, talks about the agency’s proposal to make the church’s clergy benefit plans and commitment to investments that protect the environment and human rights.

Judi Kenaston, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table, looks at various plans for regionalization and how the submitted budget is prepared.

The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. says the Revised Social Principles, up for consideration by General Conference, provide “a better way to live together as Christ followers.”

By removing our masks, we can help the church and society address racism and other “isms,” and find healing.