News
Below are news stories published by the Western North Carolina Conference. We recommend that you also subscribe to ENews and bookmark the United Methodist News Service to be more aware of what is going on in the conference and denomination.
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Church broadens defense of human rights
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
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.”
Church court: A youth must be elected to GC commission
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
The United Methodist Church’s top court ruled on a question about youth membership on the commission that plans General Conference. The Judicial Council is on standby throughout General Conference to rule on the legality of the body’s actions or whether they are in line with the denomination’s constitution.
Church in Africa gets 2 more bishops, new map
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
General Conference approved a plan to add two more bishops in Africa, increasing the number from 13 to 15 on the continent where the church is growing. But a number of delegates expressed frustration that the number was below the five initially sought by the 2016 General Conference.
Delegates pray after Charlotte shooting
4/30/2024
GC2024
General Conference paused legislative work after learning that multiple law enforcement officers were shot, three fatally, a few miles from the Charlotte Convention Center. Five other officers were wounded. Bishop Ken Carter, who leads the Charlotte Episcopal Area, issued a statement praying “for all who are in the midst of this tragic violence.” A Western North Carolina Conference delegate is pastor to family members of one of the officers killed.
General Conference gives regionalization green light
4/30/2024
GC2024
In what outgoing Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called “a historic day for our church,” delegates voted 586 to 164 in favor of a constitutional amendment that aims to put The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions on equal footing.
Global craft market supports delegates, ministries
4/30/2024
GC2024
During General Conference, the Worldwide Craft Market is open daily except Sunday at the Hilton Garden Inn, a block from the Charlotte Convention Center. All profits from the sale of wares from Africa, the Philippines and Palestine go back into the pockets of the individuals selling their goods to support various ministries.
Seeing red: Volunteers make conference run smoothly
4/30/2024
GC2024
Donning red aprons, United Methodists answer questions, direct traffic and keep things running like a well-oiled machine.
More than 1,000 volunteers hail from many annual conferences. Organizers created an online “Volunteer Hub,” where those interested in volunteering could create a profile and select the specific days and times they wanted to work.
Stop quarreling and start counting your blessings, United Methodists urged
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
United Methodists have argued enough and should unite and rejoice as they have many achievements to celebrate, Zimbabwe resident Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa declared during April 27 morning worship at the United Methodist General Conference.
Ukrainian delegate glad to be United Methodist
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
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.
Upbeat mood at General Conference’s halfway point
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
A sense of calm optimism pervaded General Conference at the close of the first week. Delegates, pages, observers and others said the mood was markedly different than that at past General Conferences. One observer said, “We’re working together amicably, and there’s a real sense of the body moving toward a shared goal.”