Sand Creek Massacre Petition Passes the Plenary

Monday morning, April 30, a proposed non-disciplinary legislation on the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre has passed the Plenary at the General Conference in Tampa. The petition asks the 2012 General Conference to do the following:

*To fully recognize the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, and the Northern Arapaho of Wyoming as the Federally recognized Tribes as stated in the 1865 Treaty of Little Arkansas with the US government.

*To consult on and support efforts pertaining to preservation, repatriations with the four tribes mentioned above (through the council of Bishops and the appropriate boards and agencies)

*To authorize research by a joint team including an independent body and provide full disclosure of the involvement and influence in the Sand Creek Massacre and report back to the 2016 General Conference (through the Council of Bishops and the General Commission on Archives and History).

*To support and participate in the return to the “Tribes” of any Native artifacts or remains related to the Sand Creek Massacre.


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
Social Concerns
The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles. Photo courtesy of the author.

Coming out with the new Book of Discipline

The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles, a veteran General Conference delegate, writes about what the removal of the Discipline’s longtime anti-gay stance means for The United Methodist Church and for her personally.
Mission and Ministry
On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation to mark Earth Day and to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. Participants included Mary Frances Gaston (left) Emily McGinn, students at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

The year in photos

2024 was a year of great change for The United Methodist Church and the world. General Conference brought big changes for the denomination, while wars and severe weather left millions of people displaced. The contentious U.S. presidential election fueled concerns over immigration, reproductive rights and other issues. But in a world filled with uncertainty, United Methodists continued to live out their faith. UM News documents a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.
Church Leadership
Dr. Katelin Hansen. Photo by Maxine Moore, courtesy of the author.

Deaconesses are still here – let’s invest in them too!

A distinctly separate order from deacons, deaconesses and home missioners serve in a wide variety of full-time lay ministries for the church.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved