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.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Social Concerns
“The Sand Creek Massacre: The Betrayal That Changed Cheyenne and Arapaho People Forever” will be on display Nov. 10-Dec. 1 at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. The exhibit, normally a permanent installation at the History Colorado Center in Denver, is being co-hosted by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society and Commission on Religion and Race. Photo Courtesy of History Colorado.

Agencies host Sand Creek Massacre exhibit in DC

During Native American Heritage Month, the United Methodist Building will host a display that acknowledges a brutal part of church history as “both an act of confession and a witness of faith.”
General Church
Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of a delegate vote in favor of a worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 25, 2024. The Council of Bishops announced Nov. 5 that annual conference lay and clergy voters have ratified regionalization. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

New United Methodist Church structure ratified

United Methodist voters around the globe have ratified worldwide regionalization — a package of constitutional amendments aiming to put the denomination’s different geographical regions on equal footing.
General Church
West Ohio delegates raise their arms in praise during morning worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. From right are the Revs. April Casperson and Dee Stickley-Miner and Tracy Chambers. On Nov. 5, the Council of Bishops announced annual conference voters ratified four ballots of constitutional amendments passed at General Conference. In addition to regionalization, the ratified amendments deal with inclusion in church membership, racial justice and educational requirements for clergy. Casperson helped lead the task force that championed the passage of the amendment on inclusiveness. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Church strengthens stands on inclusion, racism

In addition to regionalization, United Methodist voters ratified three other amendments to the denomination’s constitution including changes that make clear the church’s belief that God’s love is for all people.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved