United Methodists open first top
Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference.
It’s a much-anticipated gathering. Typically it is held every four years, but church leaders delayed the 2020 gathering until now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the 11-day gathering runs from April 23 to May 3. Among those assembling are hundreds of voting delegates — the United Methodists from across the globe who were elected to represent their regional church body — though as many as one-quarter of international delegates are not confirmed as able to attend. The delegates, half clergy and half lay Methodists, are the decision makers at General Conference.
WHAT HAPPENS AT GENERAL CONFERENCE?
General Conference — the only entity that can speak for the entire denomination — is a business meeting where delegates set policy, pass budgets and address other church-wide matters. It’s the only body that can amend the United Methodist Book of Discipline, which includes church law. It also includes Social Principles, which are non-binding declarations on social and ethical issues. There’s worship and fellowship, too.
Related articles
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin committed Monday to keeping U.S. weapons moving to2024-05-21China's industrial profits up 10.2 pct in first 2 months
(Xinhua) 10:07, March 27, 2024BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Profits of China's major industrial firm2024-05-21Xiangjiang New Area of China's Hunan actively cultivates new quality productive forces
By Sun Chao, Du Yifei (People's Daily) 10:59, March 22, 2024Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Com2024-05-21Shota Imanaga continues strong start to major league career as Cubs top Mariners 4
SEATTLE (AP) — Shota Imanaga allowed one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings, Michael Busch homered in h2024-05-21Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A plan to boost pay for Uber and Lyft drivers in Minnesota that lawmakers bel2024-05-21Green shift places remote northeastern Chinese city in spotlight
(Xinhua) 14:45, March 01, 2024CHANGCHUN, March 1 (Xinhua) -- At a workshop of Jilin Xielian Biotechn2024-05-21
atest comment