Skip Navigation

UMNS Archives

 
to

Voices of the Methodist Central Jurisdiction

The Central Jurisdiction was a racially segregated body of the Methodist Church from 1939-1968. In this audio slideshow, former members of the jurisdiction discuss its history. View

A woman holds a sign during an April 4, 2018, peace and unity rally. The rally followed the Commission on Religion and Race’s participation in the United to End Racism Prayer Walk in Washington. Photo courtesy of the Commission on Religion and Race.

Religion and Race celebrates 50 years

Formed as a commission to monitor the church’s integration efforts, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has expanded its inclusion advocacy worldwide. Read More

Photo from the 1968 General Conference, held April 21-May 4, 1968, Dallas. Racial segregation was one of the main issues confronting the merger that created The United Methodist Church. Photo courtesy of United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.

50 years on, Central Jurisdiction’s shadow looms

The union that created The United Methodist Church also abolished its racially segregated institution. That history is a reminder that the church still struggles with race relations. Read More

Women pray during a worship service on Christian unity in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The Church of Christ in Congo, an ecumenical Christian organization that includes United Methodists, sponsored the women’s event. Photo by Philippe Kituka Lolonga, UMNS.

Group preaches Christian unity to Congolese women

Church of Christ in Congo, an ecumenical organization that includes United Methodists, is promoting peace in communities often divided by tribal, ethnic or religious conflicts. Read More

West Ohio Bishop Gregory V. Palmer preaches during opening worship for the April 12-14 meeting of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in Atlanta. Photo by Jennifer Silver, General Board of Global Ministries.

Mission agency makes King 50th a focus

Through site visits in Atlanta, drama and worship, directors and staff of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Read More

Members of United Methodist International English Church worship with the congregation of Mvululu United Methodist Church during a March missionary trip in Mvululu, Democratic Republic of Congo. All offerings from the service remain in Mvululu. Photo by Pierre T. Omadjela, UMNS.

City, rural churches build ‘friendship’ in Congo

Partnership allows church members to spread the good news while also helping struggling congregation with a new chapel and other needs. Read More

Bishops process during the May 10 opening of the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. The Council of Bishops asked the Judicial Council to hold a special session this spring and the denomination’s top court has agreed. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS.

Judicial Council announces special session

At the request of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, the church’s top court will hold a special session in May. Read More

North Texas Conference Bishop Mike McKee leads discussion about the Commission on a Way Forward. McKee has been holding a series of meetings across the conference, and this was one held April 12, 2018, at First United Methodist Church in Richardson, Texas. Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS.

Hitting the road for Way Forward

Bishops take different approaches to sharing about effort to hold the church together amid conflict over homosexuality Read More

Courtesy photo of the Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol.

Commentary: Will you join in fighting racism?

The Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol writes about her profound gratitude for the church that saved her by opening her eyes to racism. Read More

A demolished building barely stands in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Puerto Rico was already reeling from Irma when Maria made landfall Sept. 20, 2017, as a Category 5 hurricane, bringing with it 175 mile-per-hour winds and 40 inches of rain. Photo by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UMNS.

UMCOR allocates $46 million for disaster recovery

Continued response to last year’s major events includes new $16.8 million grant for Methodist Church of Puerto Rico. Read More