Connectional Table

General Church

The Rev. Steve Wood presents information on the general church budget to the fellow board members of the General Council on Finance and Administration. Rick King, the agency’s chief financial officer, is at left. The board is recommending substantially cutting the 2021-24 general-church budget in hopes of keeping more funds in U.S. local churches. Photo by Heather Hahn, UMNS.

Board moves to slash general church funds

The finance agency board set a starting point that would cut more than $105 million from the general church budget in 2021-2024.

General Conference

Bishop Bruce R. Ough (left) greets Bishop Scott Jones prior to the May 22 oral hearing before the United Methodist Judicial Council in Evanston, Ill. The two argued different positions before the court.

Court ruling spurs competing interpretations

Focus now turns to how the special General Conference will determine which pieces of legislation are “in harmony” with its stated purpose.

Bishops

United Methodist Bishop Tracy Smith Malone (left) offers Holy Communion to Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett during the closing worship service at the denomination's Council of Bishops meeting in Chicago. The bishops asked the Judicial Council to hold an oral hearing on their request for a declaratory decision of law about what legislation can come before the special session of General Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS

Judicial Council to hold oral hearing on bishops’ request

The United Methodist Church’s top court has scheduled an oral hearing on a request about what legislation can come before the special General Conference.

Bishops

Bishop José Quipungo of the East Angola Area (left) and Sue Laurie of Love Prevails, an unofficial group that advocates for equality of LGBTQ individuals, share Holy Communion during the United Methodist Council of Bishops meeting in Chicago. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Bishops’ proposal garners range of responses

Bishops themselves are choosing to emphasize different parts of their motion for a Way Forward. Advocacy groups are also making their thoughts known.

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