1 MAR 2019 · A news summary of the fourth day of action of the 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church

26 FEB 2019 · A news summary of the third day of action of the 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church

26 FEB 2019 · As discussion was winding down on the motion to request a declaratory decision about the plans for the church, delegate Jeffrey “J J” the Warren from Upper New York Conference delivered possibly the most impassioned statement of the entire General Conference so far in support of that request, a move that was affirmed by a 437 to 3781 margin, well beyond the twenty percent threshold needed to make the request.

25 FEB 2019 · A news summary of the second day of action at the 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church.

25 FEB 2019 · In his sermon for the Sunday morning worship service of the 2019 General Conference, Kenneth H. Carter, Jr., President of the Council of Bishops, reminded the General Conference delegates, “You are here because your people respect you.” He called the members of the denomination’s worldwide assembly to “watch and listen…and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit, to make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.” Carter noted, “Where you see the mission of God, you will see people connected to each other…[even if] we come to St. Louis pretty equally divided.” He asked the delegates, “Could it be that Jesus has already broken down the dividing wall of hostility that is between us and made peace?” He concluded by saying, “What God has promised [God] is able to perform. God is able!”

24 FEB 2019 · A news summary of the first day's action for the 2019 General Conference of The United Methodist Church

24 FEB 2019 · Tim Jones (Holston Conference), Annette Spence (Holston Conference), and Jackie Campbell (Western PA Conference) are three of the communicators covering the 2019 Special General Conference. So far, they see it as a celebration and, at the same time, subdued. Campbell and Spence have each been to five or more general conferences while this is a first for Jones. Deadlines have changed and so has the technology – cell phones, for example were once restricted within the bar of the conference, but now they’re a standard means of contacting delegates and displaying documents. Jones, Spence, and Campbell feel the distance between the delegates and communicators – the press box is 6 stories above the floor where the delegates are seated. They understand that they’re engaged in an historic moment in the history of The United Methodist Church – “We’re all called to be here and do this work,” something that’s a heavy responsibility they acknowledged.

24 FEB 2019 · Fasting, confession, and repentance are elements of the prayer ministry at the 2019 special General Conference. According to Prayer Team Lead Aletha Weatherall, a design team created a “spirit experience.” Reflective of four regions of the world, the experience includes a labyrinth, some quiet spaces, and an opportunity to meet with spiritual directors.

22 FEB 2019 · In the hours before the opening session, members of the General Conference worship team talked about how they have prepared themselves spiritually and listened for God’s direction. Whether through music, the visual arts or helping to manage the flow of the worship experiences, the members of the team are at peace as they work to transform The Dome in St. Louis from a concert and sports venue into a sacred space. The members of the worship team in the conversation were: Raymond Trapp, Worship and Music Director for General Conferences 2019 and 2020; Stephanie Parsons and Ms. Linda Mellor, visual designs artists; and Rev. Ximena Varas, stage manager.

21 FEB 2019 · Jessica Brodie and Matt Brodie are United Methodist communicators from South Carolina. Being a communicator brings with it “a great deal of responsibility to do whatever we do with exceptional integrity,” they believe, and it’s their “responsibility to keep telling the story.”