In the wake of disaffiliation and the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Methodist Church saw 862 delegates descend on Charlotte, North Carolina for the postponed 2020 General Conference. The Baltimore-Washington Conference sent 12 individuals — six clergy and six lay members — to...
By Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. -- Luke 1:78-79 (Song of Zechariah) For many months leading up to this...
By Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, Jr. The outcome from General Conference has been very positive for all sorts of groups, including Deacons. The Rev. Julie Wilson and Rev. Dr. Leo Yates, both Deacons in full connection, had submitted petition #20879, titled Granting Sacramental Authority to Deacons in...
By Rev. Chet Jechura Throughout this General Conference, the Gospel of John’s account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead has come to the forefront of my mind again and again. Jesus was deeply disturbed when he arrives at his beloved friend’s tomb. When Jesus asks that the stone...
As the 2024 General Conference officially approved and adopted a new set of Social Principles, several key leaders in the effort were quietly celebrating.
By Erik Alsgaard Today, May 1, 2024, is the Rev. Leo Yates' wedding anniversary. He and his husband received an anniversary gift today: the removal of some language in the church’s Book of Discipline, from paragraph 304.3, which states in part that “the practice of homosexuality is...
In the play, The Wiz, an adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is working hard to find her way home. When she and her companions reach Emerald City, they find the Wiz, only to learn that he will not help them unless they kill The Wicked Witch of the West. Evillene proves a...
By Erik Alsgaard Sprinkled throughout every General Conference, advocacy groups and coalitions form a part of the legislative process that is central to this meeting. Among those, you can find groups coming together to advocate for a fossil-free United Methodist Church; Mainstream UMC, a group...
By Erik Alsgaard* CHARLOTTE – (April 28) -- As the first week of General Conference wrapped up its first week of work on Saturday, April 27, the Baltimore-Washington Conference delegation co-chairs took a moment to reflect on their efforts and what lies ahead. For both the Rev. Ianther...
By Melissa Lauber(Watch the recording of the April 25 worship service below) In many cultures, the color black is a symbol of mourning, an absence of light and hope. But on April 25, General Conference delegates claimed black as a symbol of resistance and resilience, calling attention to...
