Bishops Propose Ideas for Future of Denomination

In the midst of a pandemic, racial unrest, and denominational and political anxiety, the bishops of The United Methodist Church met in a virtual format for four days to focus on the leadership necessary to chart a new future for the global denomination. To tackle the financial challenges facing the denomination, the bishops recommended supporting the grassroots movement to not elect any bishops in the United States until the next quadrennium. Read about this and other ideas from the bishops at https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/umc-bishops-propose-innovative-ideas-for-future-14422282.

Connectional Table Discusses Future of UMC

The Connectional Table’s Emerging Project is launching video segments about the future of the United Methodist Church. The Emerging Project is moving in a new direction by using Wesley’s historic questions that ask, what to teach, how to teach, and what to do. The first video, “Can General Conference be Virtual?” is a 4-part interview, where Thomas J. Bickerton, bishop of the New York Episcopal Area and president-elect of the Council of Bishops, discusses the possibilities for holding General Conference virtually in 2021. Read about this effort and watch the Bishop Bickerton video at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/the-connectional-table/emerging.

Songwriters honored at Josie Music Awards

"Your Love Is Enough," a song written by United Methodists Drew Miller and Kiersten Rose, was named song of the year at the 2020 Josie Music Awards for independent music. Kiersten Rose serves as the Director of Modern Worship Arts at Manchester UMC in St. Louis.The song, recorded by Kathryn Shipley, is about grace. Read the press release at https://manchesterumc.org/song-of-the-year/. Watch a video of the song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SVI93JV0UI&feature=youtu.be&mkt.