History

The ordination of Bishop Francis Asbury performed by Bishop Thomas Coke in Baltimore, Md., at the Christmas Conference, the historic meeting establishing the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States in 1784. An engraving by A. Gilchrist Campbell from a painting by Thomas Coke Ruckle, 1882. Courtesy of the Drew University Methodist Collection (Madison, New Jersey) via Wikimedia Commons.

Ask The UMC: What influence did Francis Asbury have on the role of bishops?

Francis Asbury set the precedent for the work of Methodist bishops as organizers of ministry, as a source of unity, and in developing consensus.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Kenneth Rowe, shown here in the United Methodist archives at Drew University in Madison, N.J., was an author, professor, librarian, archivist and bibliographer. Rowe died Oct. 8, at age 84. File photo courtesy of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

Kenneth Rowe, Methodist historian, dies at 84

Rowe was an important writer on Methodist history, seeking to include marginalized groups, and gave crucial help to other scholars as a professor, librarian, archivist and bibliographer.

Church History

Standing in front of the pulpit of John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol, England, the Rev. Jonathan Pye leads a Sept. 12 service celebrating the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury’s crossing of the Atlantic to America. Pye is the chair of the Bristol District of the Methodist Church in Britain and deputy chair of the trustees of John Wesley’s New Room. Attendance for the service was limited to allow for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Tim Tanton, UM News.

Celebrating Asbury’s impact on 2 shores

The 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury’s crossing of the Atlantic from England to America is being celebrated jointly by the Methodist Church of Britain and The United Methodist Church.

Theology and Education

An artist's rendering of Newbury Seminary in Newbury, Vermont, in 1839. The seminary would evolve into Boston University School of Theology. Betsey Dow Twombly became a teacher and head of "women's work" at the school in 1837 at the age of 19. Original image courtesy of Boston University School of Theology; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Pioneer in Methodism, Betsey Down Twombly

Betsey Dow Twombly was a pioneer in education for women and men and a leader in supporting women in mission.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION