Act of Repentance stirs and challenges

“An Act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples” engaged the 2012 General Conference to remember, repent and make a commitment to an ongoing transformational relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Dr. Thom White Wolf Fassett spoke “From the People.” Dr. George Tinker’s “word” encouraged all to make “No Apologies. Just Repent. Seriously.” The music of Marcus Briggs-Cloud was stirring. Delegates were invited to collect a rock from the symbolic river that ran along the center aisle of the plenary floor and to keep that rock as a reminder and active symbol encouraging continuing repentance.


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Social Concerns
Retired Bishop Peggy A. Johnson. Photo courtesy of the author.

Remembering who we are amid US budget fight

United Methodists should remember their Wesleyan heritage and seek to defend the marginalized people being targeted in the federal budget, writes retired Bishop Peggy Johnson.
Church Leadership
Participants in the 2025 United Methodist Church Deacons Gathering sing during opening worship at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. From left are the Rev. Shannon Howard, the Rev. Tina Marie Rees, the Rev. Sherry Brady and Candace Brady. A focus of the event was deacons’ new sacramental authority approved at last year’s General Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Deacons explore new sacramental authority

United Methodist deacons are discussing best practices now that General Conference has approved their new responsibility to preside at baptism and communion “when contextually appropriate.”
Church Leadership
The Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens. Photo by Brian Tolbert.

Deacons serve diverse, specialized roles

The role of the deacon is gaining visibility and importance, but what do we really know about this ministry?

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