Protests, arrests mark 2000 General Conference
More than 300 people demonstrated outside and inside the Cleveland Convention Center May 10-11 during the United Methodist Church's quadrennial General Conference protesting the church's exclusion of sexual minorities. Cleveland police made more than 200 arrests as protestors blocked a driveway and disrupted a conference session.
The Rev. Dr. Keith Ewing, a clergy delegate and the bishop's administrative assistant, said he was very sad about the events. "It just doesn't feel like this is what should be happening at the general conference of the church," he said.
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Reactions to conference mixed
While many of the Florida Conference's delegates were pleased with the decisions made during the United Methodist General Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, May 2-12, others were disappointed in the issues the denomination's top legislative body chose to address and troubled by the surrounding protests.
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Delegates tackle issues, make tough decisions
For 11 days, 992 United Methodists from the United States, Africa, Europe and the Philippines discussed, debated and voted on 1,600 calendar items of legislation and more than 2,000 petitions. Among the items voted on were the church's stance on homosexuality, the Connectional Process Team report, racism, abortion, gun control and the Cleveland Indians' mascot, "Chief Wahoo."
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| Catching Up With Old Friends |
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Photo
by Michael Wacht |
CLEVELAND — Florida Conference Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson (second
from right) said he enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones
during the United Methodist General Conference May 2-12 in Cleveland.
Henderson also had the opportunity to preside over the morning
session of the conference May 6.
The Rev. Debbie McLeod, a pastor at Christ Church United Methodist
in Ft. Lauderdale, said this was an honor for the bishop, since there are
more bishops in attendance than there are opportunities to preside.
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Hispanics see church becoming more inclusive
Representatives of the 40,000 Hispanic United Methodists said they believe the church is making a real effort to be inclusive toward them. They also believe the church is helping tackle tough issues facing Hispanics throughout the world, including the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries, support for the Methodist Church in Colombia and the United States Navy's use of the island of Vieques.
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Florida delegates take leadership roles
Two members of the Florida Conference's delegation to the United Methodist General Conference May 2-12 served in significant leadership positions throughout the denomination's top legislative body. The conference's bishop, Cornelius L. Henderson, was also tapped to be the presiding bishop during one of the sessions.
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