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Methodist merger not in view: Smaller denominations won't be "swallowed up"

Bishops from six U.S. Methodist denominations have pledged to work together on common social-justice goals. But they quashed the notion that a merger or union is likely.

Representing the United Methodist Church and the historically black African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal churches, the bishops gathered in Atlanta March 11-13 for their quadrennial meeting.

Two new members also joined the meeting: the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church and the African Union Methodist Protestant Church.