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
Local Church
Bishop Daniel Lunge (center) of the Central Congo Episcopal Area speaks during a roundtable on communication in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as East Congo Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe (left) and North Katanga Bishop Mande Muyombo look on. The bishops emphasized that communication is an essential tool for making disciples and building peace in geographically complex and conflict-ridden areas. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Charting new path for African communication

Bishops, communicators and United Methodist Communications staff gathered to develop a creative strategy to keep local churches in the Mid-Africa Regional Conference connected despite power outages, poor roads and more than 450 regional languages.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Keri Cress. Photo courtesy of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.

Love of neighbor drives advocacy in political spaces

The Rev. Keri Cress doesn’t consider herself a political person, but she says her faith moves her to act.
Social Concerns
Cliff White. Photo courtesy of the author.

Another United Methodist way to look at high court’s voting decision

Commentary writer pushes back on United Methodist statement calling for political action over recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved