Remember the Children Living in Poverty: Cornerstone Family Ministries

As adults discuss and make policy for The United Methodist Church at the quadrennial General Conference, Cathy Capo Stone, executive director at Cornerstone Family Ministries in Tampa, Fla., site of this year’s General Conference, reminds us to not forget the impact of church work on the inner-city children whom she cares for every day. Cornerstone is a United Methodist Women national mission institution centered on the care of children.

Read Mary Beth Coudal’s interview with Ms. Stone ;on United Methodist Women’s website.

Ms. Stone also participated at “Break Bread With Tampa” today, a free lunch and outdoor event organized by The United Methodist Church’s Ministry With the Poor initiative, where she stood side by side United Methodist Women’s chief executive, Harriett Jane Olson. United Methodist Women support Cornerstone Family Ministries as a National Mission Institution, which is historically connected to United Methodist Women as an organization started by deaconesses. “We are glad to have Cornerstone in the backyard of General Conference,” Ms. Olson said.

United Methodist Women is organizing a MeetUp tomorrow at 12:45-2:00 PM (during the lunch break) to volunteer at Cornerstone. If you would like to participate, please email [email protected]. We are meeting at 12:30 at the shuttle pickup outside to depart. Sign up now!


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 History
The Methodist Church’s 1956 General Conference meets from April 25 to May 7 in the municipal auditorium in Minneapolis. On May 4, the first Friday of the legislative assembly, the delegates voted to make women eligible for full clergy rights. “Now it is up to us to prove in clear and deep witness to the whole church our consecration and our loyal devotion to the work of the Kingdom of God,” said Margaret Henrichsen, a General Conference visitor, after the vote. In 1967, she became the first U.S. woman appointed district superintendent. Photo courtesy of Archives and History.

Why the 1956 women-clergy vote matters

Seventy years ago, the Methodist Church supported full conference membership for women clergy — a decision that would have a resounding impact when The United Methodist Church formed in 1968 and even today.
General Conference
Emily Allen, a veteran lay delegate from the California-Nevada Conference, delivers a report during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. on May 3, 2024. Allen has been elected to serve as the interim General Conference secretary beginning July 1. She will lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly, scheduled May 8-16, 2028, in Minneapolis. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Bishops elect interim General Conference head

Emily Allen will lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly, next scheduled in 2028.
General Conference
The skyline of Minneapolis, which is scheduled to host the 2028 General Conference. The Commission on the General Conference, meeting online April 17-18, voted to shorten General Conference to May 8-16, 2028. The group is also taking steps to protect delegates amid heightened immigration enforcement. Photo by Lane Pelovsky, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis.

Planners shorten GC2028, discuss Minneapolis

Organizers are pressing forward with holding the 2028 United Methodist General Conference over eight days in Minneapolis. The group is also taking steps to protect delegates amid heightened immigration enforcement.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved