Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Love and hate under the hot Florida sun

Westboro Baptist Church came to The United Methodist Church’s worldwide assembly on the last day of their two-week meeting with a message: God Hates the Methodist Church.

The Rev. Troy Plummer, director of Reconciling Ministries Network, and other pastors and lay members of The United Methodist Church formed a shield in front of the Westboro demonstrators. Westboro positioned themselves outside a white tent where the Love Your Neighbor Common Witness Coalition has been holding daily lunches in support of full inclusion of all races, genders and sexual orientation in the church.

Inside the tent they were signing “Draw the Circle Wide,” while outside the demonstrators sang their own words to “God is Going to Stand There and Watch You Burn” to Rhiana’s song “Love the Way You Love.”

Standing in the line was the Rev. Troy Plummer, director of Reconciling Ministries, was constantly being taunting by one man hurling hateful words like “You are lying to these people. Methodists are fag enablers.” In the hot Florida sun, Plummer keep his cool and grace.

Audrey Krumbach, a member of MOSAIC Methodist Students (Young People) for an All Inclusive Church, was holding rainbow-decorated stoles which are a symbol of solidarity with lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

“This is the first time I feel like I am protecting The United Methodist Church with these stoles instead of standing outside looking in.”


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
General Conference
The Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa. Photo courtesy of the author.

An appeal to hold General Conference outside US

The United Methodist Church’s top assembly has never met in the central conferences; the decision to hold the 2028 gathering in Minneapolis should be rescinded.
Church Leadership
Caralyn Ware. Photo courtesy of the author.

When the shepherd strays: Addiction and clergy wellness

The United Methodist Church must act at every level to help pastors in crisis and create space for wellness.
General Conference
The Minneapolis Convention Center stands in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. United Methodist organizers plan to make good on the original location of the COVID-delayed 2020 General Conference, choosing Minneapolis as the host city for the next legislative assembly scheduled for May 8-18, 2028. Photo by Dan Anderson, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis. (www.minneapolis.org)

Minneapolis chosen for 2028 General Conference

United Methodist organizers plan to make good on the original location of the COVID-delayed 2020 lawmaking assembly. They also hope to make up the budget deficit from earlier sessions.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved