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Bishop Bickerton: Let's Work Together to Build the Next Expression of United Methodism

Nashville, Tenn. — This week, Council of Bishops President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton released a brief video message for annual conferences and local churches.
Amid Policy Changes, Church Keeps Faith with Migrants

With last week’s big change in U.S. immigration policy, many politicians and others predicted a tidal wave of asylum-seekers coming across the southern border.
Meet our Newly Appointed NYAC Director of Connectional Ministries

Within the New York Annual Conference, Rev. Doris K. Dalton is known as a preacher, teacher, champion for the creation of welcoming, inclusive spaces, and an adept go-to for all things pertaining to Cooperative Parish ministries. But soon, Rev. Dalton will add yet another experience to her portfolio: NYAC Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM).
Bishops Call for General Conference in 2026

The Council of Bishops is recommending that The United Methodist Church hold a five-day session of its top lawmaking assembly in May 2026.
Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears Departs for New General Church Role with GCSRW

After three decades of exemplary service to the New York Annual Conference, most recently as our Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM), Reverend Dr. Denise Smartt Sears is moving on.
UMC Bishops Meet, Request for 2026 General Conference and More

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church met last week in Chicago for their first in-person meeting since 2019. The worshipful gathering was awash in a spirit of collegiality and desire to work for the betterment of the worldwide denomination. In his presidential address, Bishop Bickerton reminded attendees that in the midst massive transition, it is now time to pivot our work to focus on reclaiming, reviving and renewing The United Methodist Church.
Amid Rupture, Bishops Called to Renew Church

Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton urged his episcopal colleagues to take time to grieve disaffiliations but then work for renewal.
UMC Bishops to Meet in Person April 30 to May 5 – First Since 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In their first in-person meeting since 2019, the Council of Bishops (COB) will meet April 29 to May 5, 2023, to tackle the future of The United Methodist Church, welcome new bishops who were elected in November last year, and work on other topics such as disaffiliations and fighting racism.
Bishop Makes Historic Visit to Madagascar

Hundreds of people packed into tiny Ambodifasika United Methodist Church to experience a series of firsts: the church’s first visit from a United Methodist bishop and its first baptisms, Holy Communion and confirmations.
Hollering for Change: Conversation with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling

The Rev. Tori Butler speaks with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware conferences.
COB President's Letter Regarding Judicial Council Decision # 1472

Yesterday the Judicial Council issued the long-awaited clarification that we requested on Judicial Council decision 1451.
RECLAIM. REVIVE. RENEW.: THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION

Three Simple Ways to Continue the Conversation There has never been a more important time to inject hopefulness, vision, and bold faith into our local churches and communities. NYAC Resident Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, President of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, laid the groundwork in his Mid-Term State of the United Methodist Church Address. Now it's our turn to fuel ongoing conversation. Here are three simple ways you can help expand the conversation around Bishop Bickerton's ...
Bishop: Time to Move From Rancor to Revival

Council of Bishops President and Resident NYAC Bishop, Thomas J. Bickerton delivered a Mid-Term State of the Church address yesterday with an hopeful message and call to action for the people of the United Methodist Church to change the conversation and reclaim God’s calling on the church.
Bishop Bickerton, COB President, to Offer Mid-Term State of the Church Address on March 2

Council of Bishops President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton will deliver a Mid-Term State of The United Methodist Church Address on March 2, 2023 at 1pm EST.
New Life for 196-Year-old Pickett Chapel

Among the dusty artifacts haphazardly stowed against a wall of the interior of Pickett Chapel is a large sign making a bold statement: “This Place Matters.”