Wrapping it all up

      It’s been a week since the United Methodist General Conference closed. I let it sort of settle in my mind and heart before finishing it off with this blog.

      Understand, I’m not there. I will never be at a General Conference. I’m not allowed to be a voting member because I’m a Local Pastor.

      But here are the things that actually were passed last week that have, I believe, great impact.

    The United Methodist Church will withdraw from the religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, a pro-abortion rights group. The conference also rejected a resolution titled “Responsible Parenthood,” which also supported abortion rights. I am ecstatic about these votes.

    Delegates called on their church’s mission agency to withdraw from the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, which critics see as more anti-Israel than pro-peace.

    Delegates approved “sustainable and responsible investments” in institutions, companies, corporations, or funds whose policies and practices align with the denomination’s Social Principles, but rejected proposals to divest from fossil fuel companies or companies that profit from Israeli military activities in the occupied territories.

    Africa, where the denomination is growing exponentially, will get five more bishops after the next General Conference as part of the Comprehensive Plan for Africa.

    Church agencies will raise awareness about the harm caused by sports teams that use mascots that disrespect Native Americans -- or names that depict them as violent and aggressive, such as the “Braves” or the “Warriors” — though the church will not go so far as to say its groups cannot meet in cities that are home to those sports teams. I’m stunned that a church agency would take this battle on.

    The conference updated a resolution that directs churches to “welcome newly arriving immigrants into our congregations” and pushes a path to citizenship. Yep. They did.

      The church announced a health initiative to reach 1 million children by 2020 with resources for ensuring safe births and preventing illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria; promoting breastfeeding; and eliminating barriers to health and medical services. Abundant Health: Our Promise to Children builds on its largest-ever global health initiative, Imagine No Malaria.

      And then they all rested.