Western Jurisdiction News

Coverage of General Conference 2012 particularly relevant to United Methodists in the Western Jurisdiction and/or provided by UMNS or the WJ media pool.

Complaints Filed Against Bishop Melvin G. Talbert; Supervisory Process Initiated to seek ‘Just Resolution’

DENVER – Complaints have been filed against Bishop Melvin G. Talbert alleging he has violated the sacred trust of his office.  Acting in accordance...

A letter to the West from Bishop Karen Oliveto

July 18, 2016 Dear sisters and brothers of the Western Jurisdiction Conference, “Behold, I am doing a new thing;     now it springs forth, do you not perceive...

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.

Top court affirms Schaefer’s reinstatement as clergy

By Linda Bloom | Oct. 27, 2014 | MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UMNS) The Rev. Frank Schaefer will remain a clergyman in The United Methodist Church. In a ruling made...

Just Resolution Achieved in Complaint Process

Denver, Colorado: Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky, President of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops, announced that a just resolution has been reached regarding a...

Judicial Council ruling finds #UMC Book of Discipline incapable of contextual adaptation

The Rev. Mary Huycke, first elected clergy delegate from the PNW and chair of the WJ Episcopacy Committee, responds to the ruling released by the Judicial Council today. Huycke writes that it was "our church law that was on trial here." The ruling confirms for her that the Book of Discipline lacks the ability to adapt "during a time of transition."

Laywoman Gives $1.1 Million Gift to Malaria Initiative

*By Dr. Larry R. Hygh, Jr. “I think it’s important that we all give back in some small way to make this world a better...

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 lesbian 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.

Opinion: The Cost of Unity

"It is time for us to start talking about what we agree on and what we can do well together instead of arguing about what divides us." In an opinion piece, the Rev. Austin Adkinson expresses his desire for a continuing unity but, unapologetically, is not willing to accept unity that comes "at the expense of our LGBTQI siblings in faith."

UMNS: Same-sex clergy couple marries in Seattle

The Rev. Joanne Carlson Brown (left), Thistle the Wonder Westie and the Rev. Christie Lagergren Brown. Photo courtesy of the Browns. By Heather Hahn* “I won’t...

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