Delegates explore history of structural racism in the Methodist Church In the space where episcopal elections would have taken place, delegates gathered for a holy conversation about race and the way that structural and systemic racism colors both our past …
A call to prayer for Jurisdictional Conference
Delegates from across the Northeastern Jurisdiction will gather in Pittsburgh, PA from July 10 to 12 to set the missional focus of the jurisdiction, consider the boundaries of annual conferences, and assign bishops. The conference, themed “Overflowing with Hope” (Romans …
Bishops confirm end to church disaffiliations, freedom regarding same-gender weddings
The College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdiction issued a letter June 10 to all members addressing the end of church disaffiliations and policies related to “Same-Gender Weddings and Appointments of LGBTQ Pastors.” The letter, in response to many …
Embracing the Joy of Our Unity
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP (From NEWSpirit newspaper’s Spring 2024 issue) “…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” –Romans 12:5 I tasted grits for the first time at the age …
Ten days to forge a faithful future together
“It is done,” wrote the Dawn Taylor-Storm on her Facebook page at 6:23 p.m. on May 3. The United Methodist Church’s 2020/2024 General Conference had just adjourned—as undoubtedly one of its most historic and consequential legislative assemblies ever. Taylor-Storm is …
EPA, GNJ Delegates Reflect on Historic General Conference
The United Methodist Church’s postponed 2020 General Conference–now officially the 2020/2024 General Conference–held in Charlotte, NC from April 23 to May 3, was an intense experience for all delegates, including those from Eastern PA and Greater New Jersey. They sometimes …
General Conference April 29 review
African bishops added; prayers after Charlotte shooting After resting on Sunday, General Conference delegates hit the ground running in the legislative assembly’s second week. But as news spread of a mass shooting in Charlotte, just a few miles from where …
Rev. Noé Gabriel López: A Volunteer Monitoring for Equity
Amid the thousands in attendance at the Charlotte Convention Center, where the United Methodist General Conference is underway, a distinct figure stands watchfully at the periphery of the plenary floor. It’s Rev. Noé Gabriel López, the associate pastor of First …
Regionalization Moves Forward, The Thread of Hope Continues
A palpable thread of hope continues to weave through the General Conference proceedings as The United Methodist Church took a significant step toward a more equitable global structure. Delegates approved a constitutional amendment for regionalization. This amendment, passed with a …
GC Begins with A Spirit of Cautious Hope
The long-postponed 2020 United Methodist General Conference commenced April 23, after 2:00 p.m., with opening worship at the Charlotte, N.C., Convention Center, signaling a critical juncture for a denomination navigating through post-disaffiliation transitions and the global impact of the COVID-19 …