Social Concerns

Bishops Harald Rückert and Rosemarie Wenner of Germany recount the role the Christian faith played in the fall of the Berlin Wall 30 years ago. During the Council of Bishops meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C., bishops were challenged to remove barriers of various kinds. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Bishops encouraged to break down barriers

Bishops both celebrated the fall of the Berlin Wall and agreed to work toward helping refugees overcome roadblocks to settling in the U.S.

General Church

United Methodist Bishop Grant J. Hagiya (right) answers questions during a press conference in Lake Junaluska, N.C., after the announcement that the five active bishops from the denomination’s Western Jurisdiction have promised to “protect the full participation” of LGBTQ individuals in the life of the church. He is joined by Bishops Karen P. Oliveto (left) and Elaine J. W. Stanovsky. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

5 bishops pledge LGBTQ ‘safe harbor’

With the Traditional Plan about to take effect, the Western Jurisdiction’s five active bishops promise to protect the full participation of LGBTQ individuals.

General Church

United Methodist Bishop Tracy Smith Malone (left) and Dawn Wiggins Hare celebrate an amendment to the denomination’s constitution that proclaims “men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God.” Ratification of the amendment was announced during the United Methodist Council of Bishops meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

Church ratifies women's equality amendment

The amendment received a revote because what was originally sent to annual conference voters contained incorrect wording.

Social Concerns

Lusinda Jacqueline, president of United Methodist Women in Bunyakiri, works on bean plants in the fields in Eastern Congo, where women are taking a lead role in fighting hunger through agriculture. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UM News.

Women fight hunger with agriculture in Congo

Bishop Unda and spouse offer support as local churchwomen till the soil to improve conditions for all.

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