Some Methodist leaders have expressed doubt that the 45 members of the United Methodist Church in Congress will effectively cooperate as a unit.

Despite the common religious affiliation, some Methodists outside of the federal government doubt that there will be cohesiveness among the UMC members of Congress. Mark Tooley, president of the Institute for Religion & Democracy and author of a book on the history of Methodism in America, told The Christian Post that after Prohibition, cooperation among Methodist politicians has been rare.

"Perhaps, but their UMC affiliation likely won't play strong role in that cooperation. There are few public policy issues that unite UMC members except possibly gambling," said Tooley. more >>

The United Methodist Publishing House has announced that it will be closing down all their Cokesbury stores, supplanting them with business through other venues.

UMPH made the announcement regarding their signature retail store on Monday, referring to the process of removing brick-and-mortar stores, or "Cokesbury/Next," as being a "transition."

"…[T]he number of Cokesbury customers relying solely on store locations has steadily declined," said the Nashville-based company. more >>

The highest court for the United Methodist Church will look at a request from one conference to make a legal decision on the relationship between the denomination and a pro-choice group.

The Judicial Council of the UMC will consider a request from the North Alabama Annual Conference regarding the UMC's connections with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Pastor Junior Plunket, who oversees Old Brashier Chapel UMC in Arab, Ala., submitted the request on June 2 regarding what he believed were apparent contradictions between the views of the RCRC and the principles of the UMC.

"WHEREAS the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice advances abortion rights in any and all circumstances without exception; and, WHEREAS the Methodist movement has historically affirmed all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God," wrote Plunket. more >>

Three colleges affiliated with the United Methodist Church were put on a bimonthly Sierra Club publication's list of the greenest universities in the United States.

Of 96 listed on Sierra Magazine's Sixth Annual "Cool Schools" list, Allegheny College placed 55th, Green Mountain College was 11th, and Duke University was 7th.

Jane Ellen Nickell, college chaplain at Allegheny, told The Christian Post that she was "proud" that the college was "recognized for its commitment to sustainability initiatives." more >>

A Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church has approved a pro-gay resolution denouncing the denomination's Book of Discipline's opposition to homosexuality.

Meeting in Charleston, W.V., nearly two-thirds of the 227 delegates at the Northeastern Jurisdiction of United Methodism approved the resolution on Thursday.

"…while bound to the Book of Discipline, [Jurisdiction leaders] are also bound to exercise their consciences and are bound by Jesus's commandment to stand with the marginalized and the oppressed in our midst when called upon to enforce unjust laws, policies and procedures to the detriment of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals wishing to participate fully in the life of The United Methodist Church," reads the resolution. more >>

A month after the general assembly of the United Methodist Church struck down a proposed amendment to church doctrine that would have loosened the affirmation of traditional marriage, hundreds of Iowa Methodists have signed a petition openly challenging its decision.

The pro-gay organization leading the petition, "Do No Harm Iowa," has reportedly gathered 500 signatures, including those from 70 pastors, that oppose the Methodist decision earlier this month to affirm the Book of Discipline's ruling that states: "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching."

"There are so many pieces of Scripture we no longer abide by because we have a different context," said the Rev. Diane McClanahan of Trinity United Methodist Church in Des Moines, a spokesperson for Do No Harm Iowa, as reported by the Des Moines Register. more >>