"Our compassion and prayers of intercession extend to all those who are hurt, relieved, confused or fearful." — Bishop Bruce Ough, president of the Council of Bishops.
Ruling greeted with confusion
DALLAS (UMNS) — Bishop Karen Oliveto is still bishop of the Mountain Sky Area even after The United Methodist Church’s top court ruled that consecrating a gay bishop violates church law. The Judicial Council said the bishop remains in “good standing” until an administrative or judicial process is completed. That decision is being greeted with confusion and hope that the Commission on a Way Forward has time to work on finding a path to unity. Kathy L. Gilbert and United Methodist News Service report on the aftermath of the ruling.
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Read UMNS story on ruling
April Judicial Council decisions now online
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — All decisions from the April session of the United Methodist Judicial Council are now available on the searchable online website. Those include the two decisions in which the court said United Methodist boards of ordained ministry must look at all qualifications to determine whether a ministerial candidate is a fitting applicant — including adherence to the church’s position on homosexuality.
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Read UMNS story on clergy qualifications ruling
LOOKING AHEAD
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have a United Methodist event to share, you can add it to the calendar with this submission form.
Wednesday, May 3-Sunday, May 7
Young People’s Gathering — La Maison de l’Esperance, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. A gathering of young people within the West Africa Central Conference hosted by The United Methodist Church in Côte d’Ivoire. The conference, sponsored by Discipleship Ministries and United Methodist Women, will explore the role of young people in the church in Africa, health issues concerning young people (including the effects of early marriage and pregnancy), entrepreneurship and environmental justice. Details