Keep Being a Force for Mission

I’m giving up my post spot toElliott Wright this evening. He had this to say about Mrs. Louise Short, who he has encountered many times before at General Conference…

The church is to carry the Gospel around the world—keep being that force,” was the advice of 105-year-old Louise Short, honored in Tampa by the 2012 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. She is the widow of Bishop Roy Short.

Mrs. Short has attended every General Conference since 1939 when the Methodist Church (now United Methodist) was established by union of several denominations.

Introduced at the morning plenary on May 1, Mrs. Short was sitting in a wheel chair because of a case of shingles, but she stood as she received a thunderous ovation from the nearly 1,000 delegates from the US, Europe, the Philippines, and parts of Africa.

“I am praying for you and hope you are praying for me,” she said in a clear voice.

Mrs. Short, a teacher by profession, has been well-known for decades within the worldwide Methodist family. She often accompanied her husband on his episcopal trips. Bishop Roy Short, who served areas in Kentucky and Tennessee, was for years the secretary of the Council of Bishops, and one of the best known bishops in Methodism. He died in 1984.

Bishop Minerva Carcaño of Phoenix, in the chair of the conference when Mrs. Short was introduced, invoked God’s blessing upon the revered guest.

Elliott Wright is an information consultant working with the General Board of Global Ministries.


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
Church Leadership
Anna Riddle. Photo by Heather Gaydeski Photography.

Carrie Parrish's legacy holds lessons for today

A trailblazer for women clergy in The United Methodist Church, Parrish championed equality and fought to tear down barriers in her day.
Human Sexuality
The Rev. Izzy Alvaran (right) and others pray together on May 1 after the 2024 United Methodist General Conference, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., voted to remove the denomination's ban on the ordination of "self-avowed practicing” gay clergy — a prohibition that dated to 1984. Alvaran is on the staff of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which has unveiled a new strategic plan after success at last year’s General Conference. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

LGBTQ advocates aim to build on 2024 gains

Reconciling Ministries Network, after success at last year’s General Conference, hopes to help the emerging United Methodist Church live into a more inclusive future.
The Rev. Dr. Tércio B. Junker Photo courtesy of the Northern Illinois Conference.

In the Wesleys’ footsteps: Reflecting on justice, faith

A pilgrimage to key sites in the lives of John and Charles Wesley yields insights and inspiration to carry on their work of social and personal holiness.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved