April 30 wrap-up: Some LGBTQ bans lifted, Episcopal communion approved

On the second full day of General Conference voting, delegates fast-tracked a large number of items via the consent calendar.

Because consent calendars often contain dozens of items voted upon at once, sometimes it is hard to keep track of what was actually approved. However, the Rev. Gary Graves, secretary of the General Conference, paused the morning plenary session to make note of an important item that delegates had just passed: affirming and entering into a full communion relationship with the Episcopal Church.

Read more at this link.

General Conference reduces requested giving

Delegates voted to reduce a key component of calculating apportionments — the portion of church giving requested to fund the general-church budget.  

During an afternoon session on April 30, delegates passed the new base rate for The United Methodist Church’s apportionment formula in the most contested plenary vote so far at this year’s General Conference.

As a result, conferences will shift from their current base rate of 3.29% to a base rate of 2.6% for 2025 and 2026. Then, if the apportionment collection rate is 90% or higher in those years, the base rate will jump to 2.9% for 2027 and 2028.

Bottom line: U.S. annual conferences will be asked to pay lower apportionments compared to what delegates passed at the 2016 General Conference. Also, denomination-wide ministries that rely on those apportionments — including general agencies and episcopal leadership — will need to be budgeted with those cuts in mind.

General Conference will vote on the full denomination-wide budget on its final day, May 3.

Read more at this link.

LGBTQ bans slowly being eliminated

General Conference delegates have begun making historic policy changes that chip away at longtime church restrictions against LGBTQ people.

Without debate, delegates voted by 667 to 54 for the changes on the day’s consent calendar, which allows the lawmaking assembly to approve multiple pieces of legislation in bulk. To make it onto the consent calendar, petitions must receive no more than 10 “no” votes in legislative committee and have no implications for the denomination’s budget or constitution.  

Some of the items passed during the April 30 morning plenary eliminate parts of the Traditional Plan passed by a vote of 438-384 at the 2019 General Conference. That package aimed at strengthening the denomination’s longtime restrictions on same-sex marriage and “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy. 

Read more at this link.

April 29 wrap-up: African bishops added; prayers after Charlotte shooting

The United Methodist Church in Africa is getting two additional bishops, but not the five originally planned by the 2016 General Conference.

Delegates voted 645-96 to add the two African bishops, increasing their number from 13 to 15. They also voted 692-43 to adjust the boundaries of the three central conferences on the continent; starting in 2025, there will be four. 

But debate — especially over the number of bishops to add — took up much of the day both before and after lunch, with many delegates expressing frustration that the number was below the five bishops initially sought. 

Delegates passed two amendments to that legislation, including one aimed at speeding up the addition of more episcopal leaders in the denomination’s fastest-growing region.

Read more at this link.

Upbeat mood at General Conference’s halfway point

The familiar feeling of frustration in his gut is noticeably absent for the Rev. Kevin Young, who has attended every General Conference since 2008.

The pastor of First United Methodist Church of Montrose, Colorado, is starting to think he might finally go home from General Conference satisfied with the results. He is attending as an observer.

“I’m just really hopeful that we’re going to turn a corner,” said Young, whose long hair, beard and glasses give him a serious Jerry Garcia vibe. “I’m depending on people who are counting the votes much more closely than I am,” he said.

“And, of course, no one knows for sure, but everything I’ve heard at this General Conference seems united in a desire to move forward and to put some really awful things behind us.”

As General Conference passed the rough halfway point April 26, progress had been made in committee meetings related to what used to be the third-rail issue of sexuality. The mood was mostly upbeat in a very unscientific survey of delegates, pages, observers and other interested folks.

Read more at this link.

Bishop: ‘Love every neighbor’

During April 29 morning worship at General Conference, bishops consecrated 26 laypersons, including three central conference members, to a lifetime of service as deaconesses and home missioners. The consecration followed a message from Mountain Sky Area Bishop Karen Oliveto, who called on attendees to make God’s love visible in all they do and to embody the fullness of God’s love with justice and mercy.

“Jesus makes it plain that we are to receive one another, treat one another, serve one another, love one another as if we are serving him,” Oliveto said. “We need to see Imago Dei, the image of God, in each person — not just in the people who look like us, who talk like us, who think like us, who love like us, who believe like us. There are no excuses for us anymore.”

Oliveto, a self-proclaimed “Methonerd,” cited Matthew 25:34-40, the historic work of deaconesses and John Wesley in asking the body to “stand with those who are pushed to the margins.”

Read more at this link.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Monday: 

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours

4:00 PM, DCOM (Pastor)

Tuesday: 

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Wednesday:

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours

9:00 AM, Wednesday Weeders 

10:00 AM, Zoom Fellowship

7:30 PM, Choir practice

Thursday:

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours 

11:45 M, Ladies Lunch Bunch

7:00 PM, SPPRC

Friday:

UMC General Conference

Saturday:   

6:00 AM, BBKC Prayer Time

9:00 AM, Yoga class  

9:00 AM, Church Work Day

Fifth Sunday of Easter

8:30 AM, Bells

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship 

11:15 AM, Fellowship 

12:30 PM, BBKC 

Scripture lessons for May 5

We begin the merry month of May with lessons from 

First John 5:1-6 and John 15:9-17.

April 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Prayers

Joys:

+    Angela Baker is happy to report that George is home!             

+   Joey Vander Vorste shared that Sally O. is recovering at home and hopes to be worship next Sunday.

+    Myrle Myers lifts up Jerry C. who is making progress in the hospital and expects to go to rehab later this week.

+    Kathy Lloyd gives thanks for this Thursday's gathering of the Ladies Lunch Bunch.    

+   Belinda Alkula is thankful for the wonderful dental care she experienced last week.

+    We give thanks for those participating today: Amy Abshire (liturgist), Belinda Alkula (videographer), Tim Cook (class), the Coopers (flowers), Etta Levitt (Zoom usher), Kathy Lloyd (Zoom host), Heyji Miranda (piano), Mryle Myers (fellowship), Suzanne Polacek (bells), Ron Revier (choir), and Jim Vander Vorste (greeter),

Concerns:

+    Terri Himes lifts up in prayer her friends Rob & Sharon who son died last September and whose birthday is today.

+    Michele Matthews asks for prayers for her sister-in-law whose father has entered hospice care.

+    Sandra Jordan seeks healing prayers.

+    Sabrina Bishop lifts up in prayer a co-worker whose three-year old grandson is waiting for a transplant.

    

+    Michele Matthews asks for pray for her brother, Don, who has recently found himself without employment.

+    Joan Cooper lifts up her neighbor Mike who is in the hospital and his wife who is worn out from caring for him.

+    Pastor Charles asks for our ongoing prayers for the work of The United Methodist Church General Conference which continues this week (until May 3) in Charlotte, North Carolina.   

+   We pray for peace in a world where violence is too often the first resort.

Follow General Conference in photos

UM News has a team of photographers covering all of the happenings at General Conference, from morning worship to committee meetings, plenary action, special celebrations and more. Thousands of high-resolution photos capturing the events will be posted on Flickr with a separate album for each day of the conference.

View GC photos and more at this link.

April 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Announcements

+General Conference continues through May 3. Pastor Charles is posting related materials, updates, and relevant links on the church blog (bolderstpauls.blogspot.com).

+Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet on Thursday, May 2, at 11:45 a.m. at Old Santa Fe Mexican Grille (592 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville). Please R.S.V.P. by Tuesday, May 1, to Kathy Lloyd.

+Breakfast Fellowship will meet on Saturday, May 11, at 8:00 a.m. at Le Peep (2525 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, next to McGuckin’s hardware). No reservations necessary. All are welcome!

+Music Appreciation Sunday is May 19. A potluck will follow worship.

April 28 @ St. Paul's UMC: Worship

Flowers from the Coopers

Heyji offers the prelude

Fellowship time for everyone!

Fifth Sunday of Easter

(visit this link for today's service)

Today’s Meditation Verse: “I will fulfill my promises in the presence of those who honor God.”  —Psalm 22:25b

Welcome...Pastor Charles

Prelude...Hyeji Miranda / “I Need Thee Every Hour,” arranged by Michael Bailey

*Call to Worship (inspired by Matthew 11:29 and Revelation 21:5)...Amy Abshire

Leader: Come all who are weary... People: Of wealth, of poverty, of power, of struggle, of division. Leader: Come all who are heavy-laden... People: With too much, with too little, with anxiety, with fear, with anger.                                Leader: Come all who have hope... People: For liberation, for peace, for freedom, for the kingdom. Leader: Hear these words: People: “See, I am making all things new.” —“I Am Making All Things New,” Rosie Venner, WSCF Europe website

*Hymn...“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (UMH #384)

Litany of Call and Confession (inspired by John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7)...Amy Abshire  

To be read responsively

Come with what you have. For you who grieve this day, know that you are invited to bring the broken pieces of your heart. Loved by one another, we discover God’s love for us. 

Come with what you have. For you who come with gladness, know that your melody will find harmony. Accepting God's love for us, we are called to love one another. 

Come with what you have. For you weighed down by too many ‘should’ and ‘what-ifs,’ know that here you may lay down the burdens of guilt and shame.Loved by one another, we discover God’s love for us. 

Come with what you have. For you who have the answers, know that new questions await you. Accepting God’s love for us, we are called to love one another. 

Come with what you have. For you who come seeking, know that your questions are safe in the presence of God. Loved by one another, we discover God’s love for us.   —written by Katherine Hawker, posted on Outside the Box

Gospel Lesson: John 15:1-8...Amy Abshire

Choral Anthem...“I Love to Tell the Story,” arranged by Mark Hayes

Community prayer requests, concerns, and celebrations

Pastoral Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer...Pastor Charles

New Testament Lesson: Acts 8:26-39...Pastor Charles

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon...Pastor Charles / “We cannot do this thing alone”

*Hymn...“Gather Us In” (TFWS #2236)

*Words for the Journey...Pastor Charles

Postlude...Hyeji Miranda / “Come Unto Jesus,” arranged by Terri Hutchings

General Conference at rest

 

Ukrainian delegate glad to be United Methodist

The Rev. Yulia Starodubets came to the United Methodist General Conference from Ukraine, which is more than two years into a grinding war with Russia.

Because commercial air travel in her country remains impossible, her husband, the Rev. Oleg Starodubets, drove her to Budapest, Hungary. From there she flew to Munich, then on to Charlotte for the church lawmaking assembly that began April 23 and concludes May 3.

Starodubets said she is glad to be a General Conference delegate for the Ukraine-Moldova Provisional Conference, and serves on both the Committee on Reference and the Committee on Faith and Order.

“It’s more peaceful, more friendly,” she said of this General Conference, her third.

Read more at this link.

April 27 wrap-up: First revised Social Principles pass, committee work ends

The first week of General Conference wrapped up with the passage of the first of a number of proposed revisions to the United Methodist Social Principles. Delegates will work late to complete their legislative committee work, which they must finish today to begin voting next week.

Tomorrow brings a much-needed day of Sabbath to refresh spiritually, mentally and physically.

Read more at this link.

UMCOR response to weekend storms

Join us in prayer for those impacted by severe storms in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond. As the threat continues throughout the weekend, continue praying for the safety of those in the path of storms.

UMCOR will be in contact with affected annual conferences and provide updates as they become available.

Donate to support those affected by disasters throughout the U.S. here: https://bit.ly/umcorusdr

 

Church broadens defense of human rights

The United Methodist Church now proclaims its support “for the equal rights, liberties, and protections of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

During the morning plenary, General Conference delegates approved that statement as part of the first batch of Revised Social Principles to come before the body.

The United Methodist Church and its predecessors have long taken public stands on issues of the world going back to the 1908 Social Creed, which called for “equal rights and complete justice for all men in all stations of life.”

But this marks the first time that the denomination is calling for human rights no matter a person’s gender identity. By that, the Social Principle means people should be treated with basic human dignity regardless of whether they are male, female, intersexual, transgender or nonbinary.

Read more at this link.

Worship with us!

Join us Sunday for worship at 10:15 a.m. in person or online here. 

Preview Sunday's bulletin here.

Bishops, delegates join rally for Palestine

While pro-Palestinian rallies are happening across the U.S., United Methodists at General Conference had their chance to gather in a peaceful show of support on the evening of April 25.

Sponsored by United Methodist Kairos Response, the rally brought together more than 100 United Methodist delegates and observers — along with at least six bishops — to hear from a variety of speakers and sing hymns in solidarity.

Theresa Basile of United Methodist Kairos Response said she was glad to call attention to Palestinian-related petitions submitted to General Conference.

“It’s hard to get people to do this,” Basile said while gesturing to those who had delayed their dinner plans to listen to speeches. 

Read more at this link.

April 26 wrap-up: Bishop urges delegates to follow God’s lead

Mississippi Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis dropped to one knee and implored delegates to put their trust in God despite the human tendency to be “control freaks,” as the General Conference of The United Methodist Church began its fourth workday.

Speaking during morning worship April 26, Lewis urged delegates to try to discern God’s plans before they settle on their own as United Methodism moves into uncharted territory.

“We have the audacity to think that we accomplished great tasks by ourselves. Some of us even think that we will spend the next week or so making decisions for the future of The United Methodist Church and try to factor God out of the equation,” she said.

Lewis hastened to add that she was not suggesting the delegates refrain from using their intellect, but she encouraged them to leave room for the Holy Spirit in their deliberations as the conference continues through May 3.

Read more at this link.

Prayer room available to General Conference attendees

At the end of a quiet hallway on the upper floor of the Charlotte Convention Center, delegates and visitors find space to pray.

“It is quiet, and it’s sort of away from everybody,” said Amy Steele, dean of the chapel and executive director of program ministries for The Upper Room. “And, yes, it is a walk down the hallway, but that’s a chance to let go, breathe deeply, center and prepare yourself for prayer. It is an escape not just from the external noise, but (also) the internal noise.”

Karen Hayden knows how important such a space can be.

“In 2016, I was a delegate, and I stumbled upon that dedicated space. I went back to it regularly while at General Conference,” said Hayden, a member of the Missouri Conference. A certified spiritual director, she returned this year as one of 42 prayer room volunteers. “It was helpful. Comfortable. I just remember feeling refreshed.”

Read more at this link.

April 25 wrap-up: Regionalization gets go-ahead, Eurasia leaves

The plenary session on Day 3 of General Conference produced two historic moments: the passage of a constitutional amendment that aims to put The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions on equal footing and the approval of four Eurasia conferences’ official departure from the denomination.

Bishop Eduard Khegay, episcopal leader of the Eurasia Area, gave a moving farewell speech following the passage of a petition that will enable four Eurasian annual conferences to become autonomous. He expressed gratitude to the denomination, using the phrase for “thank you” in Russian: “Bolshoe spasibo.”

Read more at this link.

Young people share fears, hopes for future church

Young people have likened the current happenings in The United Methodist Church to a divorce with devastating effects on the children, but they asserted there is hope for a bright future.

To thunderous applause, Alejandra Salemi of the Florida Conference said the denomination’s lawmaking assembly is being held “in the midst of what feels like an emotional whirlpool that only something like divorce proceedings can stir up.”

“We’ve tried to call what our church has gone through over the past season many things — a schism, a separation, a split, disaffiliations … and no matter what we call it, it still feels, to me, like a divorce,” she said.

Salemi told delegates attending the postponed 2020 General Conference that the younger generation is feeling the weight of the emotional, mental and spiritual trauma that comes with separation and disaffiliations.

Read more at this link.

April 24 wrap-up: Legislative committee work begins

The second day of General Conference shifted from the celebratory opening worship to getting down to the business of the church, as delegates began working in their legislative committees and electing their chairs.

Leaders presented a sober picture of United Methodist finances, including the need to reduce bishops. At the same time, delegates heard hope for the denomination to pivot from church exits to revitalization.

Against a backdrop of past conflicts and division, both the Episcopal and Young People’s addresses offered hope for the denomination that will go forward from this gathering.

Read more at this link.

Delegates urged to ‘restart’ church with less

United Methodist leaders challenged General Conference delegates to chart a brighter future for the denomination — but to do so with significantly less funds and fewer bishops.

At the first gathering of the policymaking body since a quarter of the denomination’s U.S. churches left, the delegates heard sobering news about the financial state of The United Methodist Church.

Before the delegates is a proposed denomination-wide budget that would be its lowest in 40 years. It also represents the biggest budget drop in the denomination’s history.

“This is a General Conference that must send clear signals to the local church,” said incoming Council of Bishops President Tracy Malone, “that we are keenly aware that the loss of membership and the decline of sustainability has a direct influence on the amount of funds available to support ministry.”

Read more at this link.

Looking good!

Each Wednesday morning @ 9 AM, faithful servants of the church can be found tending to the St. Paul's UMC campus.

Wednesday with the Wesleys

 You want no direction from me how to employ your time. I thank God for his inspiring you with a resolution of being faithful in improving that important talent committed to your trust... I see nothing in the disposition of your time but what I approve, unless it be that you do no assign enough of it to meditation, which is (I conceive) incomparably the best means to spiritualize our affections, confirm our judgments, and add strength to our pious resolutions of any exercise whatever.

~Susanna Annesley Wesley (letter to son John, March 30, 1734)

April 23 wrap-up: After years of delay, General Conference begins

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton gives the sermon
 during opening worship

The long-delayed 2020 General Conference began April 23 with another slight delay, this time by the fire marshal. During an inspection before opening worship, it was determined there was a lack of sufficient fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and emergency exit signage in the plenary hall of the Charlotte Convention Center.

Once the issue was resolved, the General Conference, postponed by four years and a few minutes, finally began with United Methodist bishops marching to the altar to the strains of Charles Wesley’s “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”

Read more at this link.

Reporting from Charlotte

UM News brings you the latest coverage of the most important meeting of The United Methodist Church. With in-depth analysis and a variety of perspectives, UM News is your go-to source of information about the international church body that sets official policy for the denomination.

Find news, commentary, FAQs, resources and more, on the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. Check back regularly for new and updated stories.

Read more at this link.

A Prayer for General Conference

On this day in 1968, The United Methodist Church was formed from a merger between the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. It is fitting that the delayed 2020 UMC General Conference opens today in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A Prayer for General Conference

Almighty God, on the day of Pentecost, Your Holy Spirit descended and gave voice and power to the church birthed by the suffering, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. 

Hear us as we pray for this part of Your family, The United Methodist Church. Grace the General Conference with Your presence and power. Where there is any dissension, bring unity; any confusion, clarity of mission; any fear, a holy boldness to seek and do Your will. 

Bless and be with the delegates and all who are present, giving them strength of body and purpose, discerning spirits, and open hearts, that by their actions and decisions, the United Methodist movement may be renewed in our commitment to Your mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” 

We pray this in the name of the Lord of the Church, the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Prayer written by the Rev. Carl Frazie (North Carolina Conference)

General Conference Live Video Stream

Watch live coverage of General Conference, April 23 - May 4, 2024 at this link. Streaming starts Tuesday at 11 AM (MST).

Data-driven discernment

The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has released a video on the proposed 2025-28 denominational budget going before General Conference delegates when they meet April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The video is part of the finance agency’s Data-Driven Discernment campaign.

Learn more at this link.

This week @ St. Paul's UMC

Monday: Earth Day

9:00 AM, Office Hours

Tuesday: 

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours

7:00 PM, Virtual Trustees meeting

Wednesday:

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours

9:00 AM, Wednesday Weeders 

10:00 AM, Zoom Fellowship

7:30 PM, Choir practice

Thursday:

UMC General Conference

9:00 AM, Office Hours 

Friday:

UMC General Conference

Saturday:   

UMC General Conference

6:00 AM, BBKC Prayer Time

9:00 AM, Yoga class  

Fifth Sunday of Easter

UMC General Conference

8:30 AM, Bells

8:45 AM, Adult class

10:15 AM, Worship 

11:15 AM, Fellowship 

12:30 PM, BBKC 

Scripture lessons for April 28

We bring April to a close next Sunday and look forward to the merry month of May! Our lessons will come from John 15:1-8 and Acts 8:26-39.