"We have some work to do on securing a location and we want to be thoughtful about the wording of the call." — Bishop Bruce R. Ough, Council of Bishops president, on plans for a 2019 General Conference.
Bishops planning for 2019 General Conference
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (UMNS) — The United Methodist Council of Bishops said it intends to call for a General Conference in 2019, but stopped short of making the actual call. That is expected after the Commission on a Way Forward begins its work of looking at the church’s teachings on homosexuality and issues of church unity. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
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Clergy gather for Standing Rock protest
BISMARK, N.D. (UMNS) — Some United Methodist pastors are heading to North Dakota. They’ll be part of an interfaith clergy gathering in support of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Meanwhile, The United Methodist Church’s response to the protest is picking up on other fronts. Sam Hodges reports.
Dell fought for inclusion
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Rev. Gregory Dell has died after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Dell was pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago in 1999 when he underwent a church trial for presiding at the holy union of two men. That was one episode in a career committed to inclusion and social justice.
Read a Chicago Tribune tribute
Read an Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine profile
Election Day Communion makes statement
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Some 900 U.S. churches from different denominations observed Election Day Communion in 2012. Planners hope even more will do so on Nov. 8. Interpreter magazine looks at the movement, which one United Methodist pastor describes as a statement of allegiance to Jesus Christ.
Western North Carolina Conference offers resources
Commentary: Voting can be spiritual discipline
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — “What if Christians were to count voting as an expression of the spiritual discipline of compassion?” That’s a question asked by the Rev. Carolyn J. Davis, deputy director of the Center for Public Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary, in the second of three Interpreter magazine commentaries about voting.
Looking ahead
Here are some of the activities ahead for United Methodists across the connection. If you have an item to share, email [email protected] and put Digest in the subject line.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Webinar “Theological Education Between the Times” — Noon EST. Ted A. Smith, associate professor of preaching and ethics at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, will discuss his research. Free but registration required. Details
Sunday, Nov. 13
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church — United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers a prayer and liturgy for this day. See resources
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