Conversation about inclusion/exclusion and Holy Conferencing

Sue Laurie described the witness that took place in the rotunda of the Tampa Convention Center following the Thursday night session of the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. She also reflected upon the pain experienced as a result of exclusive experiences at some of the sections of Holy Conferencing. After silence the witnesses were “singing for our lives.”


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
Hannah Buchanan. Photo courtesy of the author.

United Methodist pastor: I believe Jesus weeps with us

Hannah Buchanan, a pastor at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, writes about grief and serving in a community that has been “shaken to its core” by deadly flooding.
Worship
Collins Kwasi Prempeh preaches at King Solomon United Methodist Church in Mutare, Zimbabwe, on May 18. Prempeh, the first Deaf Global Missionary, will work with communities in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, Congo and other parts of East Africa for the next three years. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Deaf missionary welcomes, inspires community

Collins Kwasi Prempeh, the first Deaf United Methodist Global Missionary, focuses on inclusion in worship and ministries. He also works to empower the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Faith Stories
Ophelia Hu Kinney. Photo courtesy of the author.

Affirmation at last: Remembering the Rev. Dr. Rick Huskey

The physician and justice advocate mobilized the pain of exclusion to blaze a trail for LGBTQ United Methodists.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved