General Conference E-news Update – April 27, 2008

In The News - Sunday, April 27

Daily Wrap-up for April 27
Click here to read the complete daily wrap-up for Sunday, April 27.

Bishop Gregory Palmer receives leadership gavel (UMNS) "The church owes me nothing. I owe the church and the Lord of the church everything,” said Iowa Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, as he was installed April 26 as the new president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. Palmer, 54, will serve a two-year term as leader of 69 active and 87 retired bishops in the United States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines. He is the 39th president of the Council of Bishops and its fifth African-American president. After the ceremonial passing of the gavel, Palmer assured the bishops that he would make sure the "singular honor" bestowed upon him is multiplied. More>>

A UMNS photo.

Delegates strengthen the black church for the 21st century
(UMNS) The transformational power of the initiative that empowers African-American churches with a renewed sense of ministry was approved by the delegates to the 2008 General Conference. The 12-year-old initiative known as Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC-21) has helped hundreds of struggling black churches connect with successful ones to gain insights and encouragement for their ministries. The General Conference delegates, in a vote of 739 to 15, approved the initiative that is "taking revitalization from the pew to the pavement,” said the Rev. Dorothy Watson-Tatem, a member of the project's coordinating committee and delegate from the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual (regional) Conference. More>>

Leaders remember Central Jurisdiction's dissolution
(UMNS) General Conference 2008 honored men and women who worked 40 years ago for the end of a separate Central Jurisdiction for black Methodists and who sacrificed to integrate The United Methodist Church. “We honor you today for your life witness and your stand as an ambassador of justice and reconciliation in the church,” said Erin Hawkins, chief executive of the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race. Hawkins led the April 27 celebration of the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction, which was formed in 1939 as a segregated place for black Methodists in the merger of the Methodist Protestant Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. It was dissolved in 1968 as part of the union of The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church that established The United Methodist Church and formed the five current geographic jurisdictions in the United States. More>>

Carcano speaks out for modern-day outcasts
(UMNS) The church must be empowered by a "hope beyond ourselves" if it is going to eliminate poverty, a United Methodist bishop told the denomination's top legislative body. That hope comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, said Bishop Minerva Carcaño of the church's Phoenix Area during the April 27 worship service at General Conference. The United Methodist Church has declared ministry with the poor as one of its four areas of focus for the immediate future. More>>

Church Task Force to Examine Global Warming
(UMNS) The top lawmaking body of The United Methodist Church has directed United Methodist agencies and organizations to look for ways to care for the earth and reduce global warming. A task force will report to the 2012 General Conference on a plan for evaluating how the denomination's churches, institutions and staff contribute to global warming. More>>

Elections Tomorrow
On Monday, April 28, the General Conference will vote to elect new members of the Judicial Council and the University Senate. Click here to view a complete listing of all nominees.

Delegation Interviews
Dr. Charlene Black, co-chair of the delegation, shares her thoughts on General Conference this afternoon. Look for more delegate video interviews throughout the remainder of General Conference.

Question: What do you think about General Conference so far? View response.

Question: How can people in the South Georgia Conference be in prayer this next week for the delegates? View response.

Question: How are things looking with the budget right now? View response.

Track Petitions Online
Wondering how a certain petition is moving through the General Conference? Click here to track petitions by number, keyword, author, etc.

Photo Gallery
Click here to view all UMNS photos from the General Conference.

Live Streaming
Watch live video streams of worship, special addresses and plenary sessions.

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Archived Video and Audio Stories
Discover the sights and sounds of General Conference through video and audio stories.

April 27, 2008 - Video

• New Episcopal Leaders
  Bishop Huie: "I am delighted to pass this gavel..."
  Windows Media | QuickTime

• Sunday Morning Worship
  "Amazing Grace" by Oklahoma Indian Missionary Children's Choir; "Awake My Heart" by Trinity UMC Arlington, TX
  Windows Media | QuickTime

• Sunday Morning Sermon
  Bishop Minerva Carcano: "Jesus Christ is that hope beyond ourselves."
  Windows Media | QuickTime

Agenda Items for Monday, April 28

Stay Connected Throughout General Conference
Stay up to the minute on General Conference 2008 news at www.sgaumc.org. Your conference site also contains a link to the main General Conference web site, www.gc2008.umc.org.