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Wrap up: Liberian president addresses assembly
Other highlights include a celebration of the Commission on Religion and Race and a sermon by an ELCA bishop. Young delegation leaders model inclusiveness
Young people can do more than read Scripture in church, according to four young people leading their delegations at General Conference. Assembly creates committee on faith and order
Assembly creates new study group on church structure
Delegates take a hesitant step toward reorganizing the 11.5 million-member United Methodist Church. Bishop Lyght: Church offers ‘fresh bread’
Offer bread of faith, hope and love, bishop urges, to those facing a "midnight hour." Black Methodists celebrate unity at Africana dinner
Gala brings Africans and African Americans together for celebration. Cleaver: Social, economic problems hurt poor most
“Poor people are being blamed for being poor people,” says U.S. Rep. Emanuel Clever II to a United Methodist gathering. Cookson Hills center and The Advance turn 60
Center offers diverse ministries with Native Americans and shares an intertwined history with The Advance. Delegates enjoy a taste of Texas during break
Music, photos and food fill "night off" as Fort Worth Area hosts delegates and visitors. Five new members are elected to Judicial Council
The 2008 General Conference elects two clergy and three lay members to serve on the top court of The United Methodist Church. Former abortion clinic owner shares her story with delegates
Abortion discussion is more complex than words on a bumper sticker. More support for Katrina relief needed, bishops say
Noting that much work remains, several bishops call for a recommitment to rebuilding the U.S. Gulf Coast. Sixty years later, the Advance still offers hope
The Advance for Christ and His Church serves people in need through projects around the world. Theological education in Africa gets boost
Proposed $2 million boost will not be final until General Conference approves the churchwide budget. Uganda children’s choir awes General Conference
Young singers find answered prayer, love and peace during General Conference visit. Wrap up: Assembly tackles items with price tags
Faith and order, theological education and finances fill delegates first full day of decision-making. Bishop Gregory Palmer receives leadership gavel
“I owe the church and the Lord of the church everything,” says the new president of the Council of Bishops. Carcaño speaks out for modern-day outcasts
United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño says only “a hope beyond ourselves” can empower the church to end poverty. Church task force to examine global warming
General Conference instructs a task force to look for ways to reduce the church’s negative ecological impact. Delegates extend plan to strengthen the black church
Twelve-year-old initiative will continue to be force for transformation. District superintendent’s body found in drowning
The Rev. Mickey Carpenter is remembered as a beloved family man, pastor and church leader in the Memphis Annual Conference. Leaders remember Central Jurisdiction’s dissolution
Speakers celebrate progress and name challenges in 40th anniversary commemoration. Malawi district becomes missionary conference
New missionary conference has a "tremendous level of ministry," says Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa. Oklahoma Indian Mission choir opens worship
Native American children learned new languages during rehearsals. United Methodists formally admit Côte d’Ivoire
The West African conference receives full rights and responsibilities and becomes the largest regional conference in the global church. Wrap-up: Black churches, Cote d’Ivoire, global warming on Sunday docket
Both umbrellas and points of order were raised during an April 27 session of General Conference. Church teams ‘hoop it up’ for Nothing But Nets
Two Texas conferences raise $300,000 for the church’s anti-malaria campaign. Civil rights leader: Focus on ‘what really matters’
The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery says United Methodists must get engaged with issues such as war, hunger and poverty. Delegates seek General Conference ethics panel
A request for forming an ethics committee follows concerns about free cell phones given to some delegates. Pension Initiative needs millions for retired pastors
Response to pension initiative beginning to meet the need of retirees in central conferences. Rally urges inclusion regardless of sexual identity

Young speakers address a rally of more than 200 people supporting inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church.

Rural churches celebrate ‘planting seeds of hope’
General Conference encouraged to give hope to small, rural congregations. United Methodists look to Latin America
The delegates hear a call to more fully embrace their counterparts in Latin America and the Caribbean. Wrap-up: Delegates renew baptism, celebrate rural churches
General Conference delegates also perfect legislation to be presented in plenary sessions. Young Russian pastor shares courageous journey
Strong faith, compassion move Kira Volkova's ministry. $5 million grant boosts Global Health Initiative
The grant will help The United Methodist Church fight malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Bishop Machado: Deeds, not words, needed to make true disciples
True disciples will use deeds to transform the world. Church leaders support sanctuary for immigrants
Pastor calls immigrants' plight an "affront to God." Coalition sees role as ‘catalyst for renewal’
Groups such as Good News lobby General Conference on a variety of doctrinal issues. Daily wrap-up: Church receives $5 million for global health work
Other highlights included a call to action by Mozambique Bishop João Somane Machado, a Judicial Council ruling and the introduction of delegates from affiliated churches. Doubts arise following gifts of cell phones
Gifts to 150 African and Filipino delegates raise questions for some delegates and church officials. Language on board membership is unconstitutional, Judicial Council says
Ruling applies to petitions that would mandate some types of board members and delegates. Mission summit points to church expansion
Ten languages used to celebrate evangelism and church expansion on four continents. Potato drop yields 20 tons of food for area hungry
Sweet potatoes will feed people, such as the 13-year-old who ate grass, “because it was like eating salad.” ‘Join us in choosing hope,’ church leaders urge
Seven-year-old Katherine Commale provides life-saving bed nets for African children -- and life-giving hope for United Methodist adults. Church focuses on poverty, health, people, leaders
Church's general agencies organize their budgets and ministries to emphasize key priorities. Church urges humane treatment of immigrants
About 300 United Methodists gather for a rally on immigrant and human rights in Fort Worth. Copy of Copy of Bishop opens General Conference 2008 with ‘resurrection hope’
Rousing worship marks the assembly's opening on the 40th anniversary of The United Methodist Church. Daily wrap-up: Legislative work begins, follows day of speeches at General Conference
Delegates to General Conference heard major addresses and began legislative work. Finance report emphasizes abundance over scarcity
The United Methodist Church needs to claim spiritual truth of abundant living in managing its finances.

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