Different hands hold up the Cross and Flame of The United Methodist Church. Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, United Methodist Communications.

Court won't rule in advance on protocol legislation: The United Methodist Church’s top court has declined jurisdiction in response to a request to assess the constitutionality of proposed legislation that would provide a way for some to separate from the denomination. One of the eight other rulings released April 16 by the Judicial Council centered on a charge of improper voting during the 2019 General Conference.  Read article

Chauvin verdict met with relief, resolve among Twin Cities clergy: Relief. Exhaustion. Sadness. Resolve. These are some of the feelings that Twin Cities clergy say they’ve experienced following the long-awaited verdict of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty Tuesday on three counts of murder and manslaughter for killing George Floyd in Minneapolis last May—an event that sparked a renewed call for racial justice worldwide. Seven Minneapolis-St. Paul clergy share their reactions to the verdict and reflect on where we go from here. “I held my breath as the verdict was read; part of me is still holding my breath,” said Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, Jr. “All I know is I’m grateful for a drop in the bucket of justice, but this work, this pain, this racialized trauma is unceasing. We have a community whose grief continues through Daunte Wright while also healing from George Floyd.”  Christa Meland, director of communications for the Minnesota Conference reports. Read story 

Leadership body invites church to vision work:  The Connectional Table, the denomination’s equivalent of a church council, is urging United Methodists around the globe to join in conversations about the denomination’s identity, vision and mission. With General Conference now delayed to 2022, the leadership body hopes to bring more people to its table. Heather Hahn reports.  Read story

Churches across theological spectrum exiting:  With a potential denominational split still up in the air, some congregations aren’t waiting to head for the exits. Churches in Maine, Texas and Illinois are among those in the process of severing ties with The United Methodist Church. Heather Hahn reports. Read story