With the area conferences of the United Methodist Church preparing to meet in July, South Central Jurisdiction is expected to address the controversial 2007 decision to lease property for a George W. Bush institute.

Opponents of a library, museum and policy institute dedicated to President George W. Bush at the Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas have vowed to continue their struggle after the school's trustees voted to endorse it.

Eleven US United Methodist bishops have been asked to interpret church law that would circumvent a vote and permit the immediate establishment of an institute at Southern Methodist University promoting the views of George W. Bush

Opponents of a Bush Library and Institute have vowed to continue their fight within the 11 million member United Methodist Church to deny approval to Southern Methodist University (SMU) to host the Bush complex. They say it dishonours the inclusive Gospel message.

The organizers of a United Methodist Church petition urging Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Texas not to house the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Museum, and Institute released early results of their petition drive and vowed to continue with their campaign.

A group of US clergy and lay people have launched an online petition drive to urge the Southern Methodist University to drop its current bid to house the George W. Bush Presidential Library, which they say will link the respected institutional too closely with the profile of a politician whose policies have been actively opposed by many mainstream American Christians - and who has consciously rebuffed UMC leaders.