Western Jurisdiction Bishops Say Judicial Council Unlawfully Expanded Church Law
Bishops Cite Obligation to LGBTQ Community to Seek Reconsideration DENVER – The United Methodist Church’s Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops contends the denomination’s top court had exceeded its authority in April when it expanded church law barring LGBTQ...
United Methodists’ First Openly Gay Bishop Ordains First Pastor
The Rev. Sami Pack-Toner (center in black robe) receives congratulations from participants in her ordination on Friday June 9. Bishop Karen Oliveto, The United Methodist Church’s first openly gay bishop, immediately behind Rev. Pack-Toner conducted the ordination...
Western Jurisdiction Bishops Offer Pastoral Response to UMC Related to Judicial Council Decision Regarding Bishop Karen Oliveto’s Election
The members of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church today presented a pastoral message to the church during the meeting of the denomination’s Council of Bishops in Dallas, Texas. The message is the bishops’ response to United Methodist Judicial Council Decision 1341 regarding Bishop Karen Oliveto’s Election.
A statement from the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky, spokesperson for the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops April 28, 2017 The Judicial Council ruled today on challenges to the election of an out gay bishop in The United Methodist Church. The ruling is long and complicated, reinforcing...
WJ makes case that Bishop Oliveto’s election is legal
In a much-awaited moment, the Western Jurisdiction today told The United Methodist Judicial Council that last July’s election of Mountain Sky Area Bishop Karen Oliveto complied with church law.
Easter 2017: The Only Answer is God
To the People of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, and to the ends of the earth, Fulfilling our charge to “To guard, transmit, teach, and proclaim … the apostolic faith as it is expressed in Scripture and tradition, and … to interpret that...
Lent 2017: A Path to a Violent Death
Handmade Crucifixion by Carl Fougerousse of Red Fern Art Studio l CustomMade.com To the People of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, and to the ends of the earth, Fulfilling our charge to “To guard, transmit, teach, and proclaim … the...
Lent 2017: The Only Worthy Response
As Maundy Thursday approaches with you I am reminded of the washing of feet. According to John 13, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples before the last meal he shared with them. Over the generations since Jesus did this, Christians have memorialized his actions through the symbolic washing of feet.
Why We Voted for Bishop Oliveto
In a newly released video, three delegates to the 2016 Western Jurisdictional Conference tell why they voted for Bishop Karen Oliveto, the first openly gay bishop in The United Methodist Church. On April 25, 2017, the nine-member United Methodist Judicial Council will hear arguments in the challenge to Bishop Oliveto’s election.
Palm Sunday: Good News Riding on a Colt of a Donkey
Retired United Methodist Bishop Roy I. Sano reflects on the deeper meaning of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey. Sano notes how Christians over the years have prepared the way for the risen Christ’s arrival again and again through humble, lowly, and costly service.