Bishop Sharma Lewis preaches at the April 26 morning worship service at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, U.M. News Service.

In the fourth day of the postponed 2020 General Conference happening in 2024, Bishop Sharma Lewis, resident bishop of the Mississippi Episcopal Area dropped to one knee and implored delegates to put their trust in God despite the human tendency to be “control freaks,” as the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Speaking during morning worship April 26, Lewis urged delegates to try to discern God’s plans before they settle on their own as United Methodism moves into uncharted territory.

“We have the audacity to think that we accomplished great tasks by ourselves. Some of us even think that we will spend the next week or so making decisions for the full.

In the plenary session, eaders of the Connectional Table gave a report that emphasized the strength of the United Methodist connection even amid the fraying caused by COVID and church exits.

North Katanga Area Bishop Mande Muyombo, the Connectional Table’s chair, and Judi Kenaston, the body’s chief connectional ministries officer, presented some highlights from the State of the Church report. The report showcased how The United Methodist Church continues to make disciples and offer life-transforming ministry worldwide even amid its challenges.

During the morning plenary, delegates voted 702 to 20 to authorize the credentialing of delegates who were provisionally elected in 2023.

Read the full April 26 wrap-up by Joey Butler, UM News Service.

Pro-Palestinian rally

Kara Heagel, upper left, Dakotas Conference lay delegate, during her legislative committee meeting. Photo by Rick Wolcott, director of communications, East Ohio UMC.

While pro-Palestinian rallies are happening across the U.S., United Methodists at General Conference had their chance to gather in a peaceful show of support.

Sponsored by United Methodist Kairos Response, the rally brought together more than 100 United Methodist delegates and observers — along with at least six bishops — to hear from a variety of speakers and sing hymns in solidarity.

Kara Heagel, Dakotas Conference lay delegate, paused as people participating streamed by in the opposite direction she was moving.

Read story by Neil Caldwell, UM News Service.

Today's schedule*
*EDT—Eastern Daylight Time
View entire agenda here.  Watch the livestream.
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. —Worship
8:45 – 10:20 a.m.—Plenary Session
     Monitoring Report
     Administrative Committee Reports
     Calendar Items
10:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.—Legislative Committees 
1:30-6:30 p.m.—Legislative Committees 

General Conference Resources:

Dakotas Conference articles
Dakotas Conference videos
Dakotas Conference wrap-up videos: April 23, April 24, April 25
United Methodist News Service photos
Livestream archive
United Methodist Communications wrap-up videos: April 23, April 24
General Conference website