United Methodist laity and clergy are invited to reflect on recent structural developments within the denomination at a special free Zoom webinar titled “Gerrymandering the UMC,” scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Registration details are available at www.umarc.org.
Sponsored by the United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy (UMARC), the conversation will center on critical issues of power, regionalism, and inclusion. Keynote speakers and panelists will examine how postponed General Conferences, the emergence of regionalism, proposals to dismantle the U.S. jurisdictional system, and special non-legislative sessions of bishops and appointees may inadvertently shift power away from local pastors and laity.
Keynote speakers are Bishop Kristin Stoneking (Denver, CO), Resident Bishop of the Mountain Sky Conference and Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles (Dallas, TX) – Outler Chair of Wesley Studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.
Featured Panelists:
- Rev. Janie “Andi” Woodworth (Atlanta, GA) – Executive Director, Reconciling Ministries Network and transgender leader in United Methodism
- Rev. Bradley Laurvick (Fort Collins, CO) – Leader, Mountain Sky 2028 General Conference delegation and Lead Pastor, First UMC, Fort Collins, CO
- Ms. Karen G. Prudente (Manila, Philippines) – President, National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists and Executive Director, Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc.
- Rev. Dr. Luan-Vu “Lui” Tran (Los Angeles, CA) – Author, Constitutional Grace: Regionalization and the Future of The United Methodist Church (2025) and former member, UM Judicial Council (2016–2025)
Registration Information: The webinar is free and open to laity and clergy, but pre-registration is required. For registration details and full schedule updates, visit www.umarc.org.
Co-chairing this year’s event are UMARC Steering Committee members Rev. Stephanie Kidwell (Denver, CO) and Rev. Marvin Vose (Denver, CO).
Media Contact: Donald E. Messer, UMARC Co-Chair Phone: 303-877-1955 dmesser@iliff.edu
UMARC’s annual inclusiveness series began following the historic election of Bishop Karen P. Oliveto, the denomination’s first openly lesbian episcopal leader in 2016.
