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General Church

Violence
An American flag waves at half-staff in 2018 after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Flags are standing at half-staff again after the Sept. 10 assassination of an activist on a university campus. United Methodist bishops are urging members to act as peacemakers to help put an end to the violence. Photo by Bryan Roschetzky, iStock.

After assassination, bishops urge peacemaking
United Methodist bishops see a growing threat of political violence. They are calling churchgoers to pray and act for peace following a school shooting and the killing of activist Charlie Kirk.
Mission and Ministry
Bishop David Bard, who leads the Michigan and Illinois Great Rivers conferences, talks to Volunteers in Mission leaders about the theology behind regionalization, a package of amendments to the denomination’s constitution up for possible ratification this year. Joining Bard in discussing regionalization were Mountain Sky Conference Bishop Kristin Stoneking (left) and Bishop Robin Dease, who leads the North Georgia and South Georgia conferences. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

What regionalization means for mission
Three United Methodist bishops discussed what regionalization would mean for the denomination’s global mission work if ratified.
Bishops
All 14 active bishops in Africa and three retired bishops pose for a photo at the Africa Colleges of Bishops meeting, held Sept. 1-4 in Luanda, Angola. During the gathering, the bishops celebrated The United Methodist Church’s growth on the continent and affirmed their commitment to church unity. Photo by Geraldo Martins, West Angola Conference.

African bishops celebrate growth, affirm unity
The 17 bishops at the 2025 Africa Colleges of Bishops meeting pledged their support for regionalization as “a faithful and strategic path forward.”
Church Growth
Bishop Knut Refsdal, who leads the Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine Area, baptizes Aksel, as the baby’s parents, Håkon and Astri Helen Madland, look on. The newly elected bishop chose Flekkefjord, Norway, as his first visit in a strong sign of solidarity with the United Methodists there. Photo by Karl Anders Ellingsen, UM News.

After division, church sees new life and local honor
After General Conference, a United Methodist church in Norway saw much of its congregation leave. Now, the church is rebounding and receiving recognition for its inclusive stance.

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