UM News Digest Special Edition - April 29, 2025

Special Edition:
UM News Digest - April 29, 2025

“The local church board of trustees cannot prevent or interfere with the pastor’s use of the local church facilities ‘for religious services or other proper meetings…’” — The Judicial Council in Decision 1516.

Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News

Ruling: Same-sex weddings solely up to pastors
WASHINGTON (UM News) — The United Methodist Church’s top court ruled that a congregation’s trustees cannot prevent their pastor from using church facilities to perform a same-sex wedding. The Judicial Council decision, released April 29, clarifies a narrow ruling issued at the end of last year’s General Conference that dealt with the role of trustees. Heather Hahn reports.

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Megachurch’s closure improper, ruling says
WASHINGTON (UM News) — The Dakotas Conference’s vote to let the multicampus Embrace congregation leave with property violated church law, the Judicial Council ruled. The denomination’s provision allowing a limited release from its centuries-old trust clause expired on Dec. 31, 2023. Heather Hahn reports.

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