COB welcomes thirteen newly elected bishops
11/7/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is welcoming thirteen (13) bishops who were elected during last week’s jurisdictional conferences in the United States.
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COB announces winner of $10,000 Bossey Institute scholarship
10/21/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: Grants/ScholarshipsThe Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church has named MS. Eliza Love as the 2023 recipient of the $10,000 scholarship to attend the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland.
UMEIT: Young Adult Network participants meet in Atlanta
10/5/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: TrainingThe participants of UMEIT: Young Adult Network met in person in Atlanta last week as part of their two-year training program of the Council of Bishops. The UMEIT: Young Adult Network is a COB program that invites young adults from across the ...
UMC bishops seek donations for Puerto Rico in wake of hurricane
9/26/2022 - MinistriesThe Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church is appealing for donations to assist the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico following the devastation left on the island by Hurricane Fiona last week.
Rev. Dr. Bob Williams Receives Council of Bishops’ Prestigious Ecumenical Award
9/21/2022 - EcumenicalThe Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has awarded the Rev. Dr. Robert Williams with the Bishops’ Ecumenical Award for his contributions to the unity of the universal church of Jesus Christ.
Bishop Robert H. Spain dies at age 96
9/12/2022 - Bishop NewsBishop Robert “Bob” Hitchcock Spain, a retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church, passed away on September 9, 2022, at the age of 96. He was elected a Bishop in the United Methodist Church in 1988 during the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference...
United Methodists attend the Eleventh Assembly of the World Council of Churches
9/12/2022 - EcumenicalMore than 60 representatives of The United Methodist Church (UMC) attended the recently ended Eleventh Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) held in Karlsruhe in Germany August 30 through September 9, 2022.
African bishops condemn Africa Initiative and WCA
9/8/2022 - MinistriesThe United Methodist Church (UMC) bishops in Africa have condemned the Africa Initiative group and the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) for spreading falsehoods about The United Methodist Church in Africa.
Retired Bishop John Russell dies
9/6/2022 - Bishop NewsBishop John Russell, a retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, died on Friday, September 2, 2022, at the Reunion Court of the Woodlands, Texas. He was 96.
Bishops agree on ways to tackle gun violence; church disaffiliations
8/29/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church ended its summer 2022 meeting last Friday (Aug.26) with a call to act against gun violence and to create a uniform approach to the way in which bishops would deal with the process of ...
UMC Bishops welcome Judicial Council's clarification of church disaffiliation process
8/24/2022 - MinistriesThe Council of Bishops expresses gratitude for the Judicial Council’s ruling that clarified that Paragraph 2548.2 of The Book of Discipline is not a process of church disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church but is rather a supplementary ...
Bishops gather to discuss future of The United Methodist Church
8/18/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops will meet August 22-26, 2022, to discuss the future of The United Methodist Church, prepare for new bishops to be elected later this year, and address other timely topics related to their ongoing work.
UMC bishops bemoan US Supreme Court’s decision on abortion
6/25/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church says the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Roe v. Wade has denied the sacred worth of women who face “the tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify ...
UMC Bishops agree to call regular sessions of jurisdictional conferences in 2022
5/27/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops (COB) has set the dates for regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened November 2-5, 2022.
United Methodist Church bishops call for action to stop mass shootings
5/25/2022 - MinistriesCouncil of Bishops of The United Methodist Church President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton today urged clergy and laity to go on offense to stop mass shootings like the one that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas.
Bishops have authority to call jurisdictional conferences in 2022, top court says
5/20/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops (COB) is expressing its appreciation following the Judicial Council’s ruling today that the COB is authorized to set the date of regular jurisdictional conferences for the election and assignment of new bishops for the ...
Bishops seek ruling on application and meaning on Paragraph 2548.2
5/12/2022 - Bishop News MinistriesThe Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on the meaning and application of Paragraph 2548.2 in the Book of Discipline.
Interdenominational Theological Center: Perfect example of Christian unity in theological education
5/12/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: TrainingSometimes it is helpful to remind ourselves ecumenism is alive and well throughout Jesus’ universal church and to know Christ’s followers are continuing to build relationships and be in ministry together, despite their differences. I recently ...
COB welcomes court’s decision that annual conferences may not vote to leave UMC
5/10/2022 - MinistriesThe Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is expressing gratitude following the declaratory decision from the Judicial Council which stated that an annual conference may not vote to separate from the denomination.
Bickerton becomes president of Council of Bishops, calls for unity
4/29/2022 - Bishop NewsThe bishops of The United Methodist Church completed their Spring meeting today in a spirit of collegiality and love for one another and the worldwide denomination.
UMC bishops offer overwhelming support to Bishop Patrick Streiff
4/27/2022 - Bishop News MinistriesIn an overwhelming decision on the third day of their spring meeting, the bishops of The United Methodist Church today affirmed support for Bishop Patrick Streiff of the Central Conference of Central and Southern Europe in the aftermath of the ...
Bishop Harvey calls on United Methodists to act as ‘the body of Christ’
4/25/2022 - Bishop NewsCOB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey has called on her colleagues and fellow United Methodists to remember that together, “we are the body of Christ, and when we actively start lopping off parts of the body, we cease to be who God has called us...
United Methodist Bishops gather to chart future of denomination, welcome new leaders
4/21/2022 - Bishop NewsIn the wake of disruptions and postponements due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the more than 100 bishops of The United Methodist Church will meet once again in a virtual gathering April 25 to April 29, 2022, to discuss the future course of the ...
Mulenga is Communicator of the Year
4/1/2022 - MinistriesCouncil of Bishops Director of Communications Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga was last night named Communicator of the Year for The United Methodist Church by the United Methodist Association of Communicators during a ceremony at McKendree United ...
Methodist Church in Britain, The United Methodist Church hail Concordat Ministry
3/23/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: PartnershipsThe United Methodist Church honors four “concordat” relationships, which were begun in 1968 when our denomination was founded. In particular, the Methodist Church in Britain (MCB) and The United Methodist Church (UMC) have led jointly through pulpit ...
Bishops discern ways for churches choosing to separate from UMC; seek court's guidance on Jurisdictional Conferences
3/16/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops in the March 15 called meeting discerned pathways for churches choosing disaffiliation and separation. They also seeking guidance from the Judicial Council on authority to call Jurisdictional Conferences this year.
Bishops seek ruling on whether an annual conference can leave UMC
3/8/2022 - MinistriesThe Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether an annual conference can separate from the denomination under the provision of the Book of Discipline.
UMC General Conference postponed till 2024; bishops to explore various pathways
3/3/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Commission on the General Conference today announced the further postponement of the postponed 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church. The next General Conference will be in 2024.
UMC bishops call for peace in Ukraine
2/24/2022 - Bishop News MinistriesA pastoral letter from Bishop Alsted in light of the tragic events in Ukraine Bishop Christian Alsted, who serves in the Central Conference that consists of Nordic, Baltic and Eurasian countries, including Russia and Ukraine, is offering a profound...
UMC bishops rebuke hatred and racism
2/8/2022 - MinistriesThe Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has condemned the recent hatred and racist attacks on houses of worships and institutions of learning in the United States.
Why We Need a Black History Month - A perspective
2/3/2022 - Bishop News StatementsBy Bishop Forrest Stith Following the Emancipation of enslaved people , there were many attempts to tell the story of persons of African descent in the United States of America, some negative and some positive. It was an African American history ...
UMC bishops provide scholarships for 3 young adults to attend Global Ecumenical Theological Institute
2/1/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: TrainingThe Council of Bishops is providing partial scholarships for three young adults who have been accepted into the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI).
Bishop Woodie W. White honored with the Rev. Lowery Civil Rights award
1/31/2022 - Bishop NewsFormer United Methodist Church Council of Bishops President retired Bishop Woodie W. White was recently honored by the state of Georgia with the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery Civil Rights Award. The award was given during the State of Georgia’s 37th ...
Local church leaders and members encouraged to join #BeUMC campaign
1/28/2022 - MinistriesA new #BeUMC online toolkit has launched to assist church leaders in creating engagement in their church communities focused on the work of the Holy Spirit being done through the people of The United Methodist Church. Resources include inspiring ...
COB selects 10 as next cohort of UMEIT: Young Adult Network
1/26/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: TrainingThe Council of Bishop has announced the names of 10 young adults selected as the next cohort of United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training: Young Adult Network (UMEIT: YAN).
UMC Bishops call for equal voting rights
1/21/2022 - MinistriesThe Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is calling upon United Methodists to use their influence in their states, legislative districts, and local precincts to enable voter registration and to encourage ...
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COB Executive Committee endorses Central Conference statement on vaccines
1/19/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church stands with their colleagues in the Central Conferences and their statement concerning the WCA’s plan to insure the vaccination of General Conference delegates in ...
Central Conference bishops appalled by WCA's actions on vaccine offers
1/17/2022 - Bishop News StatementsThe leadership of the Central Conference bishops of The United Methodist Church is appalled by the action of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) to assist some United Methodists, mostly in Africa, with getting vaccinations for the sole purpose of...
2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - A reflection
1/7/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: Interreligious RelationshipsBy Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated every year from 18-25 January in the Northern Hemisphere or around the feast of Pentecost in the Southern Hemisphere. It is sponsored jointly by the Pontifical ...
COB offers scholarship for National Workshop on Christian Unity, UMEIT 2022
1/7/2022 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: Interreligious RelationshipsThe Council of Bishops is offering scholarships to seminary students and first-time attenders to participate in the National Workshop on Christian Unity (NWCU) and UMEIT: USA 2022.
Former Council of Bishops President Bishop Choy dies at age 103
1/4/2022 - Bishop NewsThe Council of Bishops is saddened to announce the death of Bishop Wilbur Choy, a retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church. He died December 28 in Washington State at age 93.
United Methodist bishops pay homage to Archbishop Tutu
12/31/2021 - EcumenicalThe bishops of The United Methodist Church are joining the world in mourning the death of Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, their Anglican colleague, who will be buried tomorrow in Cape Town, South Africa.
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United Methodists reach $30M settlement in Boy Scouts’ bankruptcy case
12/21/2021 - MinistriesUnited Methodist leaders have reached a settlement in the matter of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) pending bankruptcy proceedings. Upon final court approval, the settlement would absolve any claims of sexual abuse that may have occurred in congreg...
COB Christmas Letter: Let's be more loving like Christ
12/16/2021 - Bishop NewsThe United Methodist Church Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey is optimistic that 2022 will offer more opportunities for United Methodists through the world to engage in increased ministry and to be more loving.
December 31 is deadline to apply to be part of next UMEIT: YAN cohort
12/2/2021 - Ecumenical Ecumenical: Grants/Scholarships Ecumenical: TrainingThe December 31, 2021, deadline for applying to be part of United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training: Young Adult Network (UMEIT: YAN) is approaching and interested young adults are urged to apply as soon as possible.
Bishops agree on narrative for the continuing United Methodist Church
11/8/2021 - Bishop News MinistriesThe Council of Bishops ended its Fall meeting on Friday having spent time in worship, plenary and covenant groups as they seek God’s guidance to lead The United Methodist Church.
Bishop Bickerton elected as next president of UMC Council of Bishops
11/3/2021 - Bishop NewsBishop Thomas Bickerton, the residential bishop of New York Conference, was elected today as the next president of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church during the bishops’ online.
United Methodist Bishops meet to discuss church future, elect new officers
10/27/2021 - Bishop NewsFacing the challenges of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will meet November 2-5 to discuss the future of the continuing United Methodist Church, elect new officers and address other timely topics.
United Methodist Bishops remember victims of September 11
9/10/2021 - MinistriesThe Bishops of The United Methodist Church are paying homage to those who were lost and injured during the 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years ago in the United States.
WMC Names Bishop Yambasu as Recipient of 2020 World Methodist Peace Award
9/3/2021 - Bishop NewsThe World Methodist Council (WMC) has named the late Bishop John K. Yambasu as the recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award for 2020. Bishop Yambasu served as The United Methodist Church (UMC) resident bishop of Sierra Leone until his untimely ...