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A diverse 16-member group of United Methodist bishops and other leaders has offered a proposal that would preserve the United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. The separating group would get $25 million in United Methodist funds and would keep its local church properties. Details are in a nine-page “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation,” re­leased January 3.

A United Methodist clergyman has retired “under complaint” after facing formal accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse from four women.

Under a resolution with the West Ohio Conference, Donald “Bud” Heck­man can no longer represent himself as under appointment by the church nor perform ministerial activities in the name of the United Meth­odist Church. The agreement also states that Heckman “publicly ac­knowledges in writing his personal regret” for sexual misconduct, harassment, and not being celibate in singleness and faithful in marriage.