“Unless we have an incredible last quarter, we will fail to grow for the first time in 23 years.” — The Rev. Shane Bishop, on Christ (United Methodist) Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois, and the fallout from the 2019 General Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
WCA looks toward new, traditionalist church
TULSA, Okla. (UM News) — Leaders of the Wesleyan Covenant Association said a breakup of The United Methodist Church is inevitable and offered details of what a new, traditionalist Methodist church might look like. The group held its fourth global gathering, drawing about 1,000 to Asbury United Methodist Church, with an additional 2,000 watching by simulcast. Sam Hodges reports.
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Texas Conference
Help needed for flood-damaged churches, parsonages
BEAUMONT, Texas — Tropical Storm Imelda stalled over the upper Gulf Coast of Texas on Sept. 18, dropping 43 inches of rain and flooding three churches and two parsonages. The churches did not have flood insurance, due to high premium costs. The Southeast District of the Texas Conference is hoping to raise $330,000 for repairs through a special Thanksgiving offering.
Read story
Native American Comprehensive Plan
Healing relationships with indigenous peoples
FORT WORTH, Texas — With help from United Methodists, Texas Christian University is engaging Native American and indigenous people on campus. The Rev. Chebon Kernell, executive director of the church’s Native American Comprehensive Plan, said the school is building relationships with Native communities “in a way that acknowledges historic trauma and takes small steps to improve future relationships.” Ginny Underwood has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
North Central Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction repents of harm to LGBTQ people
WHEELING, Ill. — General and jurisdictional delegates from the North Central Jurisdiction released a statement acknowledging and apologizing for harm to LGBTQ individuals in the past and for potential harm that could begin Jan. 1, 2020, when the Traditional Plan goes into effect. That plan strengthened church restrictions against ordination of gay clergy and same-sex unions. The delegates also called for a moratorium on complaints related to same-gender weddings and LGBTQ identity and credentialing, and said they want to elect bishops in 2020 who will join in these commitments.
Read press release
Connectional Table
Muyombo named chair of Connectional Table
CHICAGO — The United Methodist Church's Council of Bishops has announced that Bishop Mande Muyombo, who leads the North Katanga Episcopal Area, will be the new chair of the Connectional Table for the 2021-2024 quadrennium. The North Katanga Episcopal Area includes the North Katanga, Tanganyika and Tanzania annual conferences.
Read press release
Higher Education and Ministry
New generation discerns God’s call
ORLANDO, Fla. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry hosted Exploration 2019 for young leaders discerning a call into ordained ministry. The event included practical advice and inspiration, as well as a network of peers also exploring their call.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops warned their funding imperiled
Comparing plans proposed to GC2020
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 18-Friday, Nov. 29
Online class: Women Mystics in the Christian Tradition
NEWS AND FEATURES
WCA looks toward new, traditionalist church
TULSA, Okla. (UM News) — Leaders of the Wesleyan Covenant Association said a breakup of The United Methodist Church is inevitable and offered details of what a new, traditionalist Methodist church might look like. The group held its fourth global gathering, drawing about 1,000 to Asbury United Methodist Church, with an additional 2,000 watching by simulcast. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Texas Conference
Help needed for flood-damaged churches, parsonages
BEAUMONT, Texas — Tropical Storm Imelda stalled over the upper Gulf Coast of Texas on Sept. 18, dropping 43 inches of rain and flooding three churches and two parsonages. The churches did not have flood insurance, due to high premium costs. The Southeast District of the Texas Conference is hoping to raise $330,000 for repairs through a special Thanksgiving offering.
Read story
Native American Comprehensive Plan
Healing relationships with indigenous peoples
FORT WORTH, Texas — With help from United Methodists, Texas Christian University is engaging Native American and indigenous people on campus. The Rev. Chebon Kernell, executive director of the church’s Native American Comprehensive Plan, said the school is building relationships with Native communities “in a way that acknowledges historic trauma and takes small steps to improve future relationships.” Ginny Underwood has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
North Central Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction repents of harm to LGBTQ people
WHEELING, Ill. — General and jurisdictional delegates from the North Central Jurisdiction released a statement acknowledging and apologizing for harm to LGBTQ individuals in the past and for potential harm that could begin Jan. 1, 2020, when the Traditional Plan goes into effect. That plan strengthened church restrictions against ordination of gay clergy and same-sex unions. The delegates also called for a moratorium on complaints related to same-gender weddings and LGBTQ identity and credentialing, and said they want to elect bishops in 2020 who will join in these commitments.
Read press release
Connectional Table
Muyombo named chair of Connectional Table
CHICAGO — The United Methodist Church's Council of Bishops has announced that Bishop Mande Muyombo, who leads the North Katanga Episcopal Area, will be the new chair of the Connectional Table for the 2021-2024 quadrennium. The North Katanga Episcopal Area includes the North Katanga, Tanganyika and Tanzania annual conferences.
Read press release
Higher Education and Ministry
New generation discerns God’s call
ORLANDO, Fla. — The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry hosted Exploration 2019 for young leaders discerning a call into ordained ministry. The event included practical advice and inspiration, as well as a network of peers also exploring their call.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops warned their funding imperiled
Comparing plans proposed to GC2020
EVENTS
Monday, Nov. 18-Friday, Nov. 29
Online class: Women Mystics in the Christian Tradition
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