United Methodist Church
Melvin Talbert, first United Methodist bishop to officiate same-sex wedding, dead at 89
By Adelle M. Banks — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — Talbert was recognized for his work on racial justice, LGBTQ advocacy and ecumenical cooperation.
Left behind by disaffiliations, Texas town’s United Methodists charter a new church
By BeLynn Hollers — August 7, 2023
AMARILLO, Texas (RNS) — After all seven United Methodist churches in this city in the Texas Panhandle voted to leave the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination, an 83-year-old UMC minister became determined that the UMC wouldn't become extinct in Amarillo.
It’s a Christian mandate to create a society where all flourish — SCOTUS keeps undermining it
By Sally Vonner — July 10, 2023
(RNS) — Affirmative action may not have been perfect, but that does not mean that we abolish it, rather we stay committed to do better.
Maryland church, with $100,000 in vandalism damage, continues in faith
By Adelle M. Banks — June 27, 2023
(RNS) — On June 8, the red-carpeted sanctuary of the historically Black church was turned into a debris-filled space.
Four ways to leave your denomination: How churches are disaffiliating from the UMC
By Emily McFarlan Miller and BeLynn Hollers — June 14, 2023
(RNS) — To date, 5,550 of the United Methodist Church’s approximately 30,000 US churches have disaffiliated from the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination since 2019.
Judge clears way for disaffiliations from United Methodist Church in north Georgia
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 18, 2023
(RNS) — The North Georgia Conference had barred churches wishing to leave the UMC from disaffiliating before the 2024 General Conference.
Breakaway Texas UMC megachurch reveals plans for new Methodist denomination
By BeLynn Hollers and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 9, 2023
SOUTHLAKE, Texas (RNS) — White’s Chapel plans to invite others to join the Methodist Collegiate Church once its disaffiliation is approved by Central Texas United Methodists next month.
UMC bishops request 2026 General Conference as hundreds more churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 8, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — To date, at least 2,804 churches have left the United Methodist Church since 2019, according to United Methodist News Service.
Their church is leaving the UMC fold. They found refuge in a nearby ‘Lighthouse.’
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church is turning its attention to taking care of those who want to remain and rebuilding and fortifying its ranks.
United Methodist bishops meet, look to pivot after 2,400+ churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 1, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic.
UMC top court rules disaffiliating clergy don’t automatically lose credentials
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2023
(RNS) — A Wisconsin bishop had required clergy whose churches were disaffiliating to give up their jobs or their credentials.
Judge dismisses lawsuit by Florida United Methodist churches
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 20, 2023
(RNS) — A second lawsuit, by 36 churches in North Carolina, was also dismissed last month.
UMC clergy reportedly face complaint, church trial after marrying nonbinary couple
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 19, 2023
(RNS) — The Rev. Paige Swaim-Presley and the Rev. Elizabeth Davidson say they were informed in late February a formal complaint has been filed against them, allegedly for officiating a same-sex wedding.
Why Christian women are key to ending the criminalization of Black girls in schools
By Emily Jones — April 11, 2023
(RNS) — Historically, Christian women have been particularly vocal advocates in educational spaces.
These are the schools the Global Methodist Church recommends for hopeful clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 22, 2023
(RNS) — The fledgling Methodist denomination, which broke away from the United Methodist Church last year amid ongoing debate over the role of LGBTQ Christians, has announced a list of recommended educational institutions for candidates seeking ordination as a deacon or elder.
