The United Methodist Church’s General Conference 2016 may resemble a rambunctious roller coaster ride to some, lacking only its speed, but with plenty of emotional ups and down, highs and lows, and legislative twists and turns. The morning worship services–diverse …
General Conference plenary actions begin
Plenary sessions of the 2016 General Conference got underway Monday, after a week of mostly legislative committee meetings, major addresses, worship services and several celebrations. While worship and celebrations continue, delegates now have elected new leaders and are casting final …
The Global Church Gathers for General Conference 2016
Leaders of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative body have come from four continents to meet at the Oregon Convention Center, the largest convention center in the Pacific Northwest, from May 10-20. General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, …
On Fire! Pentecost Worship
Renowned church music and worship director Marcia McFee says the metaphor of a church on fire is a good one for the day of Pentecost, which begins for Christians on Pentecost Sunday, May 15. “Pentecost Sunday represents an ending as well as a beginning: the end of the …
UMC Bishops Adopt Covenant of Accountability
(UMCom) The United Methodist Council of Bishops, meeting in Portland, Ore., voted to adopt a “Covenant of Accountability for the Council of Bishops” and pledged to hold one another accountable for living according to the agreement while seeking the support …
Harriet Tubman’s Methodist & PA connections
The U.S. Treasury Department announced April 20 that Harriet Tubman—known as the Moses of her people—will replace President Andrew Jackson on the face of the $20 bill. Many American schoolchildren know of Tubman as the African-American abolitionist who led thousands …
Bishops sign GBCS Mother’s Day campaign letter
Bishop Peggy Johnson has joined other bishops in signing a letter to Congress prepared by the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) as part of its new Mother’s Day campaign to help end the unnecessary deaths of mothers and …
God’s Gift of the Earth: A Photo Prayer
“All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it,” reads our UMC Social Principles (2012). The world marks Earth Day each April 22, which we observe today. View God’s Gift of the Earth: …
Bishop seeks help, prayers for Ecuador
By Michelle Maldonado and Joey Butler April 18, 2016 | UMNS In the wake of a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck coastal Ecuador on April 16, Bishop Silvio Cevallos of the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Ecuador asks that people “continue …
Eastern PA leader comments on Bishops’ accountability covenant
“Accountability is a fundamental way of life among the people called Methodists,” said Philadelphia Area Bishop Peggy Johnson in a just-published UM News Service story on a task force recommendation that the Council of Bishops adopt a covenant of accountability …