Bishop Bickerton reminds delegates about Holy Conferencing

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, presiding officer for the Thursday session of the General Conference, shared with delegates a reminder that he carries with him in his wallet. The card lists the principles of holy conferencing. “It was given to delegates to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference several years ago,” he said.

It cites Ephesians 4:3, “Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

He said that it serves him as a helpful reminder in everyday encounters as well as in denominational legislative assemblies.


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
General Church
The Rev. Dr. Luan-Vu “Lui” Tran. Photo courtesy of author.

After regionalization, church must prioritize unity

Regionalization can make The United Methodist Church more just, nimble and truly global. The crucial question now is how we remain one church.
General Conference
The Rev. Aleze M. Fulbright (center) celebrates the growth of The United Methodist Church in Africa as the Commission on the General Conference, meeting in Minneapolis on Nov. 11, considers setting the number of delegates for the 2028 General Conference. Sitting beside Fulbright, the General Conference secretary, are the Rev. Andy Call, the commission’s chair, and Sharah Dass, General Conference business manager. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

GC2028 delegate count marks historic shift

Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.
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.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved