Connectional Table

A delegate handles prayer beads during prayer at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. With the coronavirus delaying the 2020 General Conference, church leaders hope United Methodists can experience more time to pray and be the church. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

In GC2020 delay, leaders see needed pause

General Conference delegates and bishops see the postponement as necessary. Responding to COVID-19 pandemic now takes priority.

General Church

A diverse, 16-member group of United Methodist bishops and other leaders offered a proposal that would preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. The nine-page “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation” was released Jan. 3. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Reaction aplenty to separation plan

United Methodists offer a range of views on proposal that would address divisions over homosexuality by letting traditionalists form their own denomination.

General Church

Delegates pause for prayer at the 2019 special General Conference in St. Louis. A group of 2020 General Conference delegates and other church leaders from Africa, Europe and the Philippines is proposing a new form of unity. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Delegates offer proposal for church unity

United Methodist leaders from Africa, Europe and the Philippines are offering a “Christmas Covenant” and inviting others to sign on.

General Church

Bishop Harald Rückert of Germany announces the support of bishops in Africa, Europe and the Philippines for the proposed U.S. regional conference. He made the announcement toward the end of the Nov. 3-6 Council of Bishops meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

Bishops’ group backs US regional conference

Bishops from Africa, Europe and the Philippines announced support for the proposed new structure for U.S. decision-making.

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