News and Views

Conversations for a Way Forward
Posted by Guest Author on

United Methodists from around our Annual Conference and beyond recently attended a daylong conference cosponsored by Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) and Baltimore Washington Area Reconciling United Methodists (BWARM). Some in attendance were members of MFSA, some from BWARM, some...

UMC seeks a way Forward
Posted by Erik Alsgaard on

In less than a year, The United Methodist Church will reach a crucial crossroads in its history. A special General Conference is scheduled for Feb. 23 to 26, 2019, in St. Louis, Mo., to address one topic: how shall the church respond to questions related to inclusion of LGBTQ people?

Youth combat gun violence
Posted by Erik Alsgaard on

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world marched in solidarity with a group of high school students who are saying “enough is enough” when it comes to gun violence, especially in schools.

The word is... exhalt
Posted by Guest Author on

Ancient church mothers and fathers often greeted one another with the phrase, “Give me a word.” This greeting led to the sharing of insights and wisdom. Today we continue this tradition with this monthly column. Exalt By Mandy SayersPastor, Covenant UMC, Gaithersburg As I write...

Fresh Expressions give discipleship wings to fly
Posted by Guest Author on

New ministries being hatched In a nod to the ancient past and the undreamed-of future, a different kind of church is being born. Fresh Expressions unleashes the Holy Spirit to move beyond the sanctuary and create a new kind of church for the Post-Christendom world in which we live. Several...

BOOM revises policy that addresses homosexuality
Posted by Melissa Lauber on

The Baltimore-Washington Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) recently released its new policy for examining candidates for ministry. Who can and can’t be ordained has been in the news throughout the denomination in recent years as The United Methodist Church wrestles with inclusion of...