Volunteers change world in 1,500 places
Fun runs, block parties, picnics, malaria fundraisers—and more—connected United Methodists to their communities.
Bridging the poverty gap
Taking on the role of someone in poverty gives participants in the Circles Initiative a different perspective on how to help.
Detroit Annual Conference
“Imagine a World…Healing, Healthy, Whole” was the theme of the 2012 session of the Detroit Annual Conference, which was held May 17-20 on the campus of Adrian College in Adrian, Mich.
Finding God in unexpected places
Denver encounter with a homeless man reminds traveler that ‘we all have a hole in our soul.’
12 lessons from 12 General Conferences
Rich Peck has seen a lot of history and worn a lot of hats in five decades attending General Conference.
Young adults + social media = future UMC
More than 150 participate in May 14 tweetup to chat about GC2012 and where the church goes from here.
5 Congo siblings capture hearts
Kamana children, ages 9 to 21, brought “O Happy Day” spirit to Florida churches and General Conference worship service.
Pastor mixes faith, life in online ministry
After a medical scare, Scott Carnes learned the digital divide is not as wide among older and younger church members as often is presumed.
GC2012: 40 more sent to mission service
Worldwide church gathers at General Conference as church sends new people to witness for God throughout the world.
United Methodists ready to Change the World
More than 1,500 congregations, charges, districts and conferences around the globe take the church into the community.
Bulgaria-Romania Provisional Annual Conference
“To be a church together” — this was the motto of the meeting of Bulgaria Provisional Annual Conference, which was held from March 30 to April 1, 2012, in Pleven, Bulgaria.
Hungary Provisional Annual Conference
About 55 members and guests participated in the annual meeting of Hungary Provisional Annual Conference from April 11 to 14, 2012, in Szeged, Hungary.
It’s the time of the season for meeting
Every four years, United Methodists have a hectic spring and summer full of annual and jurisdictional conference meetings.
Wenner’s ‘stepping stones’ to bishop
German episcopal leader and new council president always felt welcome in the UMC.
Biblical Mothers – not a job for the faint of heart
From Eve to Ruth, Bible stories tell of strength and love of extraordinary women.
Remember maternal health on Mother’s Day
Mothers are vital to families and communities, but many women struggle to have healthy pregnancies and births.
Week 2: GC2012 flurry of motions, ministry
Frustrated by not voting on major restructure legislation, some felt as if GC2012 accomplished nothing. That’s not the case.
Week 1: GC2012’s ‘slow’ week still busy
Delegates to The United Methodist General Conference considered 1,200 petitions as they prayed, praised and protested.
Scouts prepared conference director
The Rev. Alan Morrison says overseeing the arrangements and organization of General Conference isn’t that different from what he did when he planned a patrol camping trip at age 11.
GC2012: General Conference wrap-up
United Methodists contend with structural and social issues at legislative assembly in Tampa.
Bishops close, reopen General Conference session
After presiding bishop threatened to close GC2012 plenary sessions to visitors, cooler heads prevailed.
GC2012: Bishop encourages delegates
As a sometimes difficult General Conference draws to a close, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner offers a message of hope.
GC2012: Bishops urge ‘communities of love’
Kiesey and Matthews emphasize practice of ‘blessing each other, rather than cursing each other.’
GC2012: Conference lowers apportionments
General Conference lowers general church apportionments by 6.03 percent, but local churches are unlikely to see differences.
GC2012: Delegate serves 11th term
Ruth Daugherty of Eastern Pennsylvania has witnessed some of the historic and defining moments of General Conferences.
GC2012: Judicial Council voids Plan UMC
Compromise restructure plan unanimously deemed unconstitutional; two other referrals deferred until fall.
May 4 wrap: No restructure in 2012
A day filled with drama over an unexpected ruling on the church's structure plan ended anticlimactically when delegates adjourned without coming to a decision.
No 'Plan UMC', GC2012 shrinks agencies
After reorganization plan is ruled unconstitutional, delegates work to salvage parts of the structural changes.
GC2012: Departed leave us ‘legacy of hope’
Bishop Middleton leads worship honoring those who have gone before, reminding all of need to leave same legacy.
GC2012: Pacific Islanders welcome new ministry plan
“Our kalia (‘canoe’) has arrived and been welcomed,” said the Rev. Sione Veikoso, hailing the passage of a comprehensive plan for Pacific Islander ministry in the United States.
May 3 wrap: Gay rights protest closes morning session
A morning of tense debate leads to a demonstration preventing GC2012 delegates from doing their work.
Ruling invalidates change in Episcopal Fund
United Methodist Judicial Council declares change in apportionment by jurisdiction ‘unconstitutional.’
Delegates reject divestment from companies
Delegates approved petitions dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but they did not approve a measure to divest from specific companies.
‘Plan UMC’ almost through GC2012
Delegates give tentative approval; final nod awaits budget report from finance council and Judicial Council decision.
Bishop’s dad whittles the ark of GC2012
Jim Bickerton’s hands were never idle even while he served as a volunteer marshal during plenary sessions.
GC2012: 5 Congo siblings capture hearts
Kamana children, ages 9 to 21, bring “O Happy Day” spirit to Florida churches and General Conference worship service.
GC2012: Prayers for peace in Nigeria
General Conference prays for victims of the recent bombings that killed many as delegation worries about friends, families.
GC2012: Sailing the ecumenical boat
Whatever the storms of life, fellowship of churches means ‘you are not alone in the boat.’
May 2 wrap: Delegates approve new structure
Frequently cited as the most important task before this General Conference, delegates say yes to new structure.
Restructuring plan gets tentative OK
Final nod awaits budget report from finance agency and decision of the denomination’s top court on constitutionality.
General Conference approves United Methodist Women autonomy
Historic vote separates the national policymaking body of women organized for mission within the denomination from the church’s mission agency for the first time in more than 70 years.
Don’t you have faith yet, asks Bishop Yemba
Congolese bishop encouraged General Conference delegates as they consider the structure of the church to make certain it is mission focused.
GC2012: Breaking bread with the homeless
Delegates took a break from legislative tedium to eat and sing with Tampa’s homeless.
GC2012: Pan-Methodists celebrate together
United Methodists join 5 African-American denominations in full communion agreement.
GC2012: Vote ends guaranteed appointments
Item passes quickly on May 1 consent calendar among other measures; effort to reconsider fails.
Justice for 1864 massacre pledged
GC2012 overwhelmingly commits church to work with four tribes in regard to reparations, repatriation and research related to Sand Creek.
May 1 wrap: Guaranteed appointments ended
Delegates vote end to guaranteed jobs for clergy, enter into full communion with Pan-Methodist churches, approve sixth national plan, approve separate agency for women.
April 30 wrap: No set-aside bishop
On first day of handling legislation in plenary, delegates act on bishops’ proposal, elect officers to Judicial Council.
GC2012: A night to recognize accomplishments
Time to celebrate ‘challenges and achievements’ of ministry with poor, global health, developing leaders, young people.
GC2012: Four elected to Judicial Council
Two Africans are top vote-getters during balloting to fill two clergy and two lay spots on United Methodist top court.
|
| |
