All clergy of the West Michigan Conference are invited to be part of a conversation on Nov. 30 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lansing, 1-4 pm.  The afternoon will include a time of worship, teaching moment, update from the Flexible Housing Policy Task Force, and opportunity for responses from the Bishop and Cabinet to questions submitted in advance and  from the floor. The discussion will be moderated by the Rev. John Ellinger.    ... Read More >

Bishops call for troop pullout

As President Obama considers new military strategy for Afghanistan, at least 77 United Methodist bishops are praying that he will withdraw troops by the end of 2010. "We believe there is no path to military victory," the bishops stated in a letter to Obama dated Nov. 10. The bishops pledged to uphold the president with prayer.... Read More >

World AIDS Day is coming on Dec. 1

An AIDS-free world...that's the hope that United Methodists have for men, women and children everywhere. About 33 million world-wide are HIV/AIDS infected. In addition more than 15 million children around the globe have lost one or both parents to the disease. People of faith are joining together on Dec. 1 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Every step United Methodists take gives one more person hope.... Read More >

Pastors in Lithuania need WMC support

Vidas, Giedrius, Grazina, Viktoija, Raimondas and Remigijus. These are the names of six Lithuanian UM pastors. Each of them has made significant sacrifices to be pastors in the United Methodist Church re-established in 1995.  There are insufficient funds to pay their salaries and expenses for the remainder of 2009. (Pay for Elders is $607 a month and for probationers $542 a month). You can help with gifts to Advance Special #14715A.... Read More >

UM Leader says, "Race still matters"

One year after the election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States, challenge and change remain. Issues of race and racism, nationally and globally, remain at the top of the country's agenda according to the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, a member of the UM Commission on Religion and Race. "Hope is yet unborn in its fullness," he said.... Read More >

Portland to host 2016 General Conference

Portland, Oregon will be the site of the top legislative assembly of The United Methodist Church. General Conference, which gathers every four years, will meet May 10-20. "I believe the Portland Area will afford the General Conference a fine experience in West Coast hospitality," said Bishop Robert Hoshibata, who leads the church's Portland Area. The site rotates among the church's jurisdictions. In 2012 General Conference will be hosted in Tampa, FL.... Read More >