David Bard reflects on what's changed since he was elected bishop, what's ahead, and what he'll take with him as he prepares to leave Minnesota.
Delegates spent Friday praying and listening, and they approved a resolution related to human sexuality as well as a budget and a new budget process.
At a time when actions are dividing our churches, our communities, our nation, and our world, “our gifts [from God] are to serve the whole and not the parts.”
Delegates elected a fourth bishop and bid a fond farewell to faithful episcopal servants who are retiring.
“Some of our blessings are seemingly in conflict with those of other sisters and brothers. Get over it! We’re part of the same faith community.”
Handheld electronic voting devices have made plenary voting a much faster, simpler, and more efficient process.
The delegation rallied behind Bard, working to spread the word about his gifts and qualifications, and his election was as much their victory as it was his.
“I pledge with God’s grace and the help of God’s spirit and all of your help to work to make The United Methodist Church the best it can be...” said Bard.
“Can we all get along is another side of Jesus’ command to love God and love neighbor. The behavioral question plagues our communion.”
All 17 episcopal candidates were asked to describe the approach they would take if a complaint was brought against one of their pastors.
.jpg?width=180&height=180)
The purpose of the forum was to provide insight on episcopal candidates’ understanding of racial and cultural relationships within the church.
"We call upon the people of the United Methodist Church to enter into the challenge and complexity of this present moment."
Let us use this tragedy as an opportunity to redouble our efforts to work for justice, stamp out institutional racism, and affirm the value of all human life.
Representatives from 11 conferences, including Minnesota, will gather next week to elect bishops and others at the 2016 North Central Jurisdictional Conference.
Cindy Saufferer, elected to a second term, said “UMW helps women find their voice and go out in the world to advocate for justice in God’s mission field.”
Wondering how to summarize three packed-full days as you report back to your church?
-3.jpg?width=180&height=180)
Among the legislation approved was a resolution in response to the recent Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando, Florida.
.jpg?width=180&height=180)
Members of the 2016 Annual Conference Session voted Thursday to approve a 2017 apportioned budget totaling $6,106,460.
-2.jpg?width=180&height=180)
Three individuals and two churches were recognized for the ways they have made a difference in their communities.
Remembering friends and colleagues who have died, honored retiring clergy, and celebrating licensed local pastors and those being commissioned and ordained.
.jpg?width=180&height=180)
A brief look at some of the key initiatives that the conference has been engaged in over the past year and the fruits of those efforts.
.jpg?width=180&height=180)
Miles shared her perspective and experiences when it comes to evangelism, service, and unleashing God’s generosity.
.jpg?width=180&height=180)
Evangelism and reaching new people are vital elements to the future growth of our churches, our conference, and our denomination.
God has given us all great gifts to go forth and fertilize...to spread our manure around!
Conference attendees spent much of day one discussing issues that are important to them and enjoying fellowship in a more laid-back atmosphere.
This year, 35 Urban CROSS campers are working on 32 projects. On Wednesday, campers and area residents came together for a community powwow.
Great leadership is the ability to contextualize. Here are six elements that, when combined, will produce results in nearly any size congregation.
June 17 marks the one-year anniversary of this shooting. The conference Commission on Religion and Race wrote a brief prayer that churches are welcome to use.
Great leadership is the ability to contextualize—it’s about how clergy and lay leaders focus their time and energies. Six key elements, when combined, will produce results in nearly any congregation.
A number of Minnesota churches are displaying signs as one small way to change the negative conversations directed toward Muslims.
Funded projects include a public art installation at a school, books and weekend food for children who may not otherwise have them, and a community garden.
Emmanuel Adeyemo from Nigeria, the eighth student that Project AgGrad has supported, will pursue a master’s degree in plant breeding and molecular genetics.
Ten days of worship, celebration, discussion, and business consolidated into one report.
Isaiah Crossfield, 14, has collected more than 2,000 bikes and thousands of dollars to help others in need.
Reviving a 200+-year-old tradition, the Council of Bishops sent a letter to the people of The United Methodist Church after the 2016 General Conference.
Delegates approved a budget of $604 million for 2017-2020 and chose not to add a fossil fuels investment screen or divest from illegal settlements.
“My charge to you is ‘Go, therefore…!’ Go to where the wounds are because that is where Jesus went and that is what Jesus did.”
Members of the Minneapolis Host Committee were in Portland observing and volunteering so they're prepared to host General Conference in four years.
Bartle serves on the Committee on Correlation and Editorial Revision, which edits and publishes The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions.
Delegates voted to cut ties from reproductive choice coalition, add extension ministries to mission statement, raise awareness about disrespectful mascots.
Yang, just commissioned as a global ministries missionary, will go to Laos to start new churches and to train and equip leaders to share the gospel.
The bishops will create a commission that will examine human sexuality issues and may call a special two- to three-day gathering in 2018 or 2019.
Lots of discussion about human sexuality, a celebration of what we've accomplished through Imagine No Malaria, and a lament of the Sand Creek massacre.
During a Wednesday press conference after the Council of Bishops recommended a way forward, Bishop Ough talked about unity, trust, connection, and context.
The Council of Bishops recommends deferring votes on human sexuality and referring the subject to a commission to examine and possibly revise the Discipline.
Delegates considered whether to give $20 million to church growth consultants, eliminate lifetime tenures for U.S. bishops, and create a new hymnal.
On Tuesday morning, Bishop Ough gave a powerful witness about his heartbreak amid talks of split and the Council of Bishops' commitment to maintaining unity.
Bishop Ough answered questions about the denomination's future and the Council of Bishops' role amid division and talks of a split.
Minnesota delegates weigh in on the decision to add five bishops after General Conference 2020 and the Black Lives Matter protest that interrupted plenary.
Bishop Ough talks about the Council of Bishops--what it does, what his new role as president will involve, and his hope for the coming years.
“I think my voice is an important voice,” said Mahle. “I carry a progressive leaning but I also have the gift of being able to change my mind.”
Harris, a member of United Methodist Church of Anoka, is among 26 women who were consecrated to a lifetime service of love, justice, and service.
Delegates Rev. Judy Zabel, Rev. David Bard, Sara Ann Swenson, and Faye Christensen share initial impressions.
“God in Christ loves us beyond measure, made evident in Christ’s saving grace, and we have been called to help make that truth everybody’s everyday reality.”
Revs. Rod Stemme, Elizabeth Macaulay, and Walter Lockhart talk about why they're at General Conference, what they're doing, and their hopes for the coming days.
Evans-de-Carpio, a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Burnsville, is spending a week interpreting for delegates who are native Spanish speakers.
Churches around the conference are assembling health kits for refugees as part of this year's Love Offering for Missions.
Sponsoring a family involves making a commitment to the refugees for a four-month period that starts even before the family arrives.
Prince has multiple ties to Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. He married his first wife there and spent time there in his youth.
Hobson, who has served the camping ministry in numerous ways over the past two decades, has spent the past 19 years at Park UMC in Brainerd.
Earthkeepers are trained in creation care theology and community organizing, and commit to providing leadership for a community project or advocacy campaign.
2016 intern Walker Brault and clergy mentor, Rev. Brenda North, talk about the upcoming internship and what they're looking forward to.
Participating in a transformational process has given this Rochester church a new missional focus, increased participation, and created a fizz of possibility.
"It is my urging and earnest prayer that all Minnesota United Methodists will embrace this tragic moment as an opportunity to work for justice."
Northwest Minneapolis United Methodist Ministry, which launched worship on Jan. 10, has more than 30 in average worship attendance and is growing.
Clergy and laity from throughout the Minnesota Conference share their prayers for the 2016 General Conference.
On Wednesday, March 23, Minnesota United Methodists will come together to pray. There's still time to sign up.
Soul Leaders and the Center for Courage & Renewal gave Rev. Carol Zaagsma courage to claim her dream of giving kids a safe place to learn and play during summer.
The easements will preserve the land, generate resources for the camping ministry, and allow the conference to explore future uses for the property.
Which youth or young adults will you invite to attend the 2016 conference, either as members or visitors, and how will you give them a place at the table?
162 youth and 42 adults took part in the two-day event that drew people from about 30 churches. The theme was “Why United Methodist?”
Rev. Matt Sipe's clergy covenant group began in seminary in 2005--and its members, now scattered across the country, still meet regularly.
Five churches raised more than $16,000 to send their kids to Camp Minnesota this summer—and leaders of those churches did a polar plunge.
Last year, congregations within the state collectively remitted 89.1 percent of the requested apportionments—up from 87.1 percent in 2014.
At this year's conference session, we'll engage in "open space" conversations to explore how Minnesota United Methodists can be a good gift to the world.
The Dakotas and Minnesota conferences’ camp and retreat ministries are combining their strengths and leadership and forming a joint governance team.
Applications for 2016 grants are being accepted and are due April 1.
Embrace Church’s average weekly worship attendance increased 1,437 percent between 2009 and 2014. Embrace launched a Minnesota campus in November.
By becoming more sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit through prayer, the men of First UMC in Worthington blessed a woman in their community.
Opportunities for young people, open-space conversations, blessing the community, guest speaker Sara Miles, and a Reach • Renew • Rejoice ministry fair.
Churches, groups, and/or individuals are invited to sign up for a 15-minute period on that date when they commit to prayer. Promotional resources are available.
God’s Closet, a ministry started by Epworth UMC in St. Paul, was visited 6,934 times in 2015—more than any other year in its history.
The church organized the “packing party” in an effort to reach new people and invite them to participate in hands-on service.
The delegation will host a "listening post" in March to hear people's ideas about some of the significant issues facing our denomination.
Rev. Cynthia Williams, who's passionate about coaching and teaching, will become River Valley District superintendent on July 1, 2016.
Ingebretson will be responsible for assessing the conferences’ current church-planting system, staffing it, and improving it.
The toy- and snack-filled shoeboxes will be distributed to children on Christmas Eve.
A Minnesota Council of Churches statement addresses member constituents, those campaigning for public office, the media, Muslim neighbors, and refugees.
The team of six United Methodists from around the world is committed to energizing local churches to take action on climate change and other crises.
There are three types of certification that laity can pursue; training sessions are offered all year.
The United Methodist Church has raised just over $68 million in cash and pledges for Imagine No Malaria, a denomination-wide effort to eliminate malaria deaths.
“Camp is in my blood,” said Dan Ziegler, who looks forward to helping Koronis Ministries craft and realize a compelling vision for its future.
We're only in year two, but we've made lots of progress on both our fundraising and implementation goals.
The Minnesota Conference just launched a redesigned website that's more functional and that has new features for clergy and churches.
College students and host churches are encouraged to apply for the Minnesota Conference's ELI Project internship.
"Even as we weep, we know that God is with us, that he sustains us with hope..." said Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., president of the Council of Bishops.
The Healthy Church Initiative inspired Aldersgate UMC to re-do its entry way; it became a holy space where souls connect in grief and in laughter.
More than 275 Minnesota youth in fifth- through ninth-grade gathered last weekend for fun, fellowship, and learning around the theme “We are God’s Masterpiece.”
“We’re so excited to be a small part of what God is doing and will do in the Minnesota Conference,” said Embrace Lead Pastor Adam Weber.
Up to $1 million in gifts to Advance projects will be matched dollar for dollar on Dec. 1.
Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 400 Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-0058
