General Conference News Update

May 12, 2016

What happened Friday:

Friday continued the process of legislation at General Conference. Most committees broke into smaller sub-committees to give a first look at legislation. These committees self-select their membership. They bring recommendations back to the full legislative committee where additional debate and change can happen. The items they have passed will be referred to the full plenary for discussion and final action. Items that pass with large majorities in committee will be decided via consent calendars that do not allow for amendment and debate.

The sermon at morning worship was offered by Chicago Area Bishop Sally Dyck. Reserve delegate David Armstrong called it "The best sermon of General Conference so far." See more below.

And here's a link to the UMNS wrap-up for May 13.

Greg Nelson, Director of Communications

Climate Vigil draws a crowd - update

A full story and video are now available about the Climate Vigil.

The General Conference Climate Vigil sent a powerful message to delegates and guests: now is the time for action, collaboration and prayer during a period of great change for earth’s climate. Jesse Love from the Pacific Northwest Conference shares the story. And watch video about the event.

Bishop Sally Dyck (a UMNS photo by Mike DuBose)

Chicago Area bishop offers morning sermon

In Wednesday's morning worship, Bishop Sally Dyck challenged the church to look at the day's text, Matthew 9:9-13, the story of Jesus eating with the tax collectors - in a new way and to take it to heart. Read about the morning worship at The United Methodist Reporter, and watch the service online.

Immigration vigil raises concerns for families

United Methodists were encouraged by Los Angeles Area Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño to reach out to immigrants in their communities when they return home from the 2016 General Conference. “We walk with Jesus who was himself an immigrant,” Bishop Carcaño said Friday, speaking passionately to several hundred people attending an afternoon Immigration Vigil. “If you want to see God, if you want to see the kingdom of God, welcome your brothers and sisters.”

Bishop Carcaño was joined by other bishops lending their support to the march and vigil across the street from the Oregon Convention Center which is hosting the United Methodist General Conference. The event was sponsored by Voz Hispana Cambio Comunitario, Metodistas Asociados Representando la Causa Hispano Americana, and the Love Your Neighbor Coalition.

See a story and video on the Pacific Northwest Conference website.

A Eulogy for Rule 44

By Rev. Jeremy Smith
Reprinted from the Love Your Neighbor News

In 2010, the Call to Action report on deep issues in our Church indicated that a lack of trust is rampant in The United Methodist Church. We see in 2016 that a lack of trust has also permeated the General Conference

Robert's Rules, which are designed to do away with any trust or grace, are idolized at this GC to the point that deviating from them for even a segment of a petitions' journey to polity is anathema. Rule 44 was voted down instead of becoming an option for consideration to help difficult topics be discussed face to face.

Our hope is that this is the low point and not a portent of more to come. May the many topics that remove even MORE trust from The UMC – from mandatory penalties to seminary professor faith statements to forced arbitration in just resolution situations – be viewed for a higher level of trust than we currently seem to be drowning in.

Agency staff couple with local church to support homeless

The staff of Discipleship Ministries has connected with Crossbridge@, a new church start ministry of the Oregon-Idaho Conference. What started as a fitness exercise to walk from their hotel to the Oregon Convention Center each day, turned to an outreach effort for Portland's homeless community. Read the rest of their story on umc.org website.

Archives:

Did you miss Update #1? Read it here.
Did you miss Update #2? Read it here.
Looking for Update #3? Read it here.
And update #4. Read it here.
May 10 update, May 11 update, May 12 update.