Methodist Studies Archives - United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities

November 21, 2025

Methodist Studies VOICES

Yolanda Williams (’20) Merges Music, Scholarship, and Ministry

From an early age, Rev. Dr. Yolanda Williams’ (’20) life revolved around making music. “I've been taking piano lessons since second grade,” she shares, “and I started to play violin in seventh grade.” She also has a well-developed talent for singing (soprano and mezzo soprano). At Hamline University, one of her majors was music, and at the University of Minnesota, Yolanda earned a master's in Vocal Performance. So, how did Yolanda earn an MDiv and become the pastor at Fridley United Methodist Church? That seed was also planted early on. (more…)

March 8, 2019

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How I Want to Shape My Ministry: Student Riva Tabelisma on the UMC General Conference

It has been more than a week since the Special Session of the General Conference of the UMC adjourned. The result of that gathering came as a shock to many people, especially to me as I witnessed it in person. I went to the Special Session of the General Conference because the Filipino American Caucus (National Association of Filipino American United Methodists) was launching the Global Filipino United Methodist Movement -- a missional ministry for Filipinos in diaspora worldwide. I also went to provide support for the delegates of the Philippines Central Conference. (more…)

March 4, 2019

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“Many Waters Cannot Quench Love:” United’s Response to the UMC General Conference.

This week a special General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted to reaffirm and even to strengthen its opposition to same-sex marriage and to gay clergy. When the majority of delegates decided to pass the Traditional Plan, the denomination voted in favor of exclusion. Rev. Judy Zabel, a clergy delegate who serves Hennepin Avenue UMC in Minneapolis, said: (more…)

February 23, 2019

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Awaiting the Results: A United Student Reflects on the General Conference

“The special called 2019 General Conference [of the United Methodist Church], set for Feb. 23–26 in St. Louis, will focus on moving the denomination past its decades-long struggle with issues around homosexuality. Proposed plans offer ways to stay together and ways to split. (more…)