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Heather Hahn

Heather Hahn is the assistant news editor for United Methodist News Service.

News

Texas UMC conference sues its largest congregation

The United Methodist Church’s Horizon Texas Conference is suing Highland Park United Methodist Church—claiming the Dallas megachurch improperly moved to end oversight by the denomination and its ow...
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Probe ends of UMC pastor who worked for Epstein

An ordained United Methodist elder who briefly worked for Jeffrey Epstein is no longer under suspension but will not be able to serve as pastor of a UMC congregation for the time being....
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UMC cuts ties to Asbury Theological Seminary over LGBTQ stance

The United Methodist Church’s accrediting body has decided that Asbury Theological Seminary will no longer be an approved school to prepare United Methodist clergy....
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UMC top court overturns bishop funding structure

The United Methodist Church’s top court has declared unconstitutional a new funding structure for US bishops passed at the 2024 general conference....
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Why some churches heard revised readings on Good Friday

When they attended Good Friday this year, many Protestants heard Christ’s crucifixion recounted in a different way....
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Methodist deacons explore new sacramental authority

Laura McMasters, a longtime campus minister, performed her first baptism in February—welcoming an international student into the Christian faith and United Methodist community....
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High court: UMC can sue for control of Southern Methodist University

The highest court in Texas handed a significant win to United Methodist efforts to maintain strong ties with Southern Methodist University....
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UMC bishops given 3% retroactive pay hike

In a highly unusual move, the board of the United Methodist Church’s finance agency voted April 25 to give the denomination’s bishops a 3 percent salary increase that will be retroactive to January...
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LGBTQ United Methodists hope to build on 2024 gains

After decades of passionate advocacy, those supporting LGBTQ inclusion in the United Methodist Church finally achieved their goals at last year’s general conference....
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Responding to UMC disaffiliations, global Methodist council sets membership rules

The United Methodist Church’s splintering has prompted Methodism’s ecumenical association to formalize its guidelines for admitting new members....

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UMC ends 52-year-old anti-gay stance

The United Methodist Church’s condemnation of homosexuality—which sparked a half-century of conflict—is now no more....
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The real story behind ‘Good King Wenceslas’

Think of it as the English-speaking world’s most popular day-after-Christmas carol....
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Church court finds UMC bishop not guilty in historic trial

A United Methodist church court found Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño—the denomination’s first Latina bishop—not guilty of four charges....
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Suspended UMC bishop moves toward church trial

United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcaño, suspended from her duties for more than a year, appears heading toward a church trial....
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Methodists in Texas, Mexico respond after mass death of migrants

After the deaths of 53 migrants in San Antonio, United Methodists in Texas and Mexico are responding with lament, prayer, and renewed efforts to follow Jesus’ command to welcome the stranger....
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Questions, anger follow UMC conference delay

United Methodists reacted to their general conference’s third postponement—this time to 2024—with emotions ranging from outrage to relief....

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