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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A letter from Bishop Carter in response to today's action by General Conference
5/1/2024
GC2024
Today, the General Conference took historic action to remove paragraph 304.3 from our Book of Discipline. This action was affirmed by more than 93% of the worldwide body. There are two important implications for us in this.
Disaffiliation ends, regionalization moves forward
5/1/2024
GC2024
General Conference delegates voted to delete the church disaffiliation policy from the Book of Discipline. They required annual conferences to set a reaffiliation policy for churches that want to return. They also passed the last of the regionalization petitions.
General Conference Daily Wrap-Ups
5/1/2024
GC2024
News
Read and watch daily summaries of what happened at General Conference.
General Conference Reverses Decades of Discrimination
5/1/2024
GC2024
News
Without any debate from the floor, the delegates gathered for the General Conference of The United Methodist Church voted to remove a ban on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy that dates back to 1984.
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A Prayer for Charlotte
4/30/2024
Bishop - Sermons & Prayers
GC2024
In the wake of tragic gun violence resulting in the deaths of five persons, Bishop Carter offers a prayer for Charlotte.
Bishop preaches message to end violence against women
4/30/2024
GC2024
News
Preaching on Thursday morning, Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling raised her voice to tell women who have suffered abuse: “You are strong. You are brave. And you are beloved of God.”
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.