(RNS) — One of the United Methodist Church’s regional conferences has taken up the call to replace the denomination’s ‘Cross and Flame’ logo because of its association for many with the ...

The Rev. Carol Gullatt, pastor of the Abundant Grace church plant for United Methodists in Albertville,, accepts a United Methodist cross and flame logo sign from the Rev. Steve West.

But over 6,000 U.S. congregations have left the United Methodist Church since 2019, according to an unofficial tally by the United Methodist News Service. Over 4,000 of them have left in 2023 alone.

Further down La. 21, Waldheim United Methodist Church has already put up its new sign, Waldheim Methodist Church — minus the distinctive logo. But the process of leaving has been far from simple.

Further down La. 21, Waldheim United Methodist Church has already put up its new sign, Waldheim Methodist Church — minus the distinctive logo. But the process of leaving has been far from simple.

The old hymnals and pew bibles in Pastor Danny Motta’s West Frankfort church featuring a familiar cross-and-flame insignia are gone. The church has a new logo and a new name, too.

One-fifth of United Methodist congregations in the United States have received permission to leave the denomination over disagreements over same-sex marriage and gay preachers. In annual ...

The changes immediately open new doors for LGBTQ members — but over a quarter of U.S. congregations have already left the UMC, and more could follow.

DECATUR – Residents traveling south down Main Street in Decatur on Tuesday may have noticed crews removing the flame portion of a giant cross towering over Grace United Methodist Church.