The church's stance on immigration, Rev. Dr. James Fielder named West District Superintendent, IGRC partners with Iowa on camping ministry leadership, IGRC, The Gathering partner on potential new church start in the Metro East St Louis area
MAR 2025 | VOL. 29 • NO. 7
Solidarity with the Sojourners: The church's response to the issue of immigration
THE current
NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL OFFICE
Inside
River Ramblings THE PARADOXES AND POSSIBILITIES OF LENT The church season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5.
RIVER RAMBLINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
In Lent we acknowledge that we can be both self-centered and compassionate. In a world where constriction of care is often the norm, Lent encourages us to lean into compassion by the grace of God and the power of God’s Spirit. In Lent we acknowledge that we can be both narrow-minded and deeply reflective. In a world where too many spend reflective time in echo chambers which never deepen thinking, Lent encourages us to lean into reflectiveness and thoughtfulness by the grace of God and the power of God’s Spirit. In Lent we acknowledge how often we are trapped in ways of thinking that demean and divide us from others and yet have an incredible capacity to overcome such divisions and build community. In a world where demeaning rhetoric is all too common and multiple tribalisms seem ascendent, Lent encourages us to lean into beloved community by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit. In Lent we acknowledge that we can be both unloving, even hateful, and deeply loving, gentle and caring. In a world where hate remains too strong, and where people are so willing to appeal to our deep animosities, Lent encourages us to lean into love by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit. In Lent we have the opportunity again to look deeply into our frailties and our failings and recognize that even amid such God does amazing things in us and through us. And God is not done with us. I know there is much going on in the world, events about which I have and will comment. And a critical part of our response to distressful currents in our world is to continue to develop into the kind of people God intends us to be in Jesus Christ. The world needs these kind of people. I invite you to observe a holy Lent. Rambling the Rivers of Lent together, Bishop David Bard
THIS ISSUE
die” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). We sense our own end, and we experience the death of others who we love. In the season of Lent we are asked to face the fact that as human beings we have a tremendous capacity to foul things up. “It’s our active inclination to break stuff, stuff here includes moods, promises, relationships we care about, and our own well-being and other people’s, as well as material objects whose high gloss positively seems to invite a big fat scratch” (Francis Spufford, Unapologetic , 27). We not only have this capacity, the tendency to foul things up often gets the better of us. And as human beings we are capable of taking flight. In the course of my ministry, I changed the traditional greeting on Ash Wednesday from “You are dust and to dust you shall return” to “You are dust and stardust.” Yes, we are fragile and finite and foul things up. And we are made of the same material as the stars that shine in the night. The image of God remains within us. “The God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image” (Genesis 1:26). The Spirit of God breezes through our souls. “The the Lord God formed the human from the dust of the ground, and breathed into the human’s nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). We humans are this incredibly complex tapestry of fragility, finitude, tendency to foul things up and capacity to take flight and soar. A favorite Psalm of mine captures this well. “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God.” (Psalm 8:4-5). In Lent we ponder the incredible complexity of who we are and our relationship to the God who created us and redeems us in Jesus Christ.
Lent invites us to do more than reflect upon our human reality. It encourages us to, by the grace of God in Jesus and the power of God’s Spirit, develop qualities of character befitting of such self-knowledge. Knowing that we
For a number of years neither Ash Wednesday nor Lent were given much attention in many Protestant churches. To many, it seemed too “Roman Catholic.” I have almost no memories of Lent growing up, but then my family was not the most active church-going family either. I have come to love this season. While its themes are difficult and the mood somber and subdued, it is a season that invites us to attend to our humanness in all its complexity. We acknowledge our fragility during Lent. “You are dust” is part of the classic greeting when ashes are imposed on our foreheads or our hands. “All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades” (Isaiah 40:6-7). We treasure longevity, and know that with longer life comes stiff joints, fading vision, creaks, pains and loss. During Lent we confront our finitude. We will not last forever. The classic Lenten phrase which begins, “You are dust,” concludes with “And to dust you shall return.” We may not relish the pains that come with aging, but we treasure even these years because we recognize that we will not go on forever. “The living know that they will APPOINTMENTS In consultation with the Cabinet of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Bishops David Alan Bard and Kennetha Bigham-Tsai appoint the following: Leanne Noland to Nashville: Grace (1/2 time) and Pinckneyville: First (1/2 time), South District, effective Feb. 1. This is a charge realignment making both churches single-point charges. Krey Leesman to Port Byron: First, West District, effective July 1. Roberta Robbins to Orion, West District, ½ time, effective July 1. Justin Snider to Champaign: Faith, East District, effective July 1. Miriam Snider to Champaign: Faith, East District, effective July 1. Robert Herath to Havana: First-Oakford, West District, effective July 1. Sherry Cisneros to Streator: First-Grand Ridge, North District, effective July 1. Aletha Weatherall to Lebanon: First, Central District, effective July 1. Angie Lee to Belleville: Union, Central District, effective July 1. Nicholas Showalter to Bloomington: Wesley-West Olive Faith, North District, effective July 1. Sheila Kelly to Peoria: University, North District, effective July 1. David Kelly to Delevan-Hopedale, North District, effective July 1. Supply not appointed Squire D. Prince to Mason City, Central District, ¼ time, effective Jan. 15. Mason City is now a single-point charge. Mark Queener to Mascoutah: Bethel, Central District, ½ time, effective Jan. 1. Change of status Charles Graul to retired status, effective July 1. He is currently serving at Delevan-Hopedale, North District. David Cogdill to retired status, effective July 1. He is currently serving Pinkstaff-Chauncey Landes, South District. Rhoda Warner , discontinuation of appointment, effective April 1. She is currently serving at Alton: Main Street, Central District. Jeremy Henson to retired status, effective June 1. He is currently serving at Carlinville-Rural, West District. Kimberly Hagedorn to retired status, effective July 1. She is currently serving at Lebanon: First, Central District. James C. McClarey to retired status, effective July 1. He is currently serving at State Street Ministry (Jacksonville: Grace- Jacksonville: Centenary-Waverly), West District. Mary Arnold to retired status, effective July 1. She is currently serving at Dwight, North District.
1 News from the Episcopal Office 2 Announcements & Events 3 Christian Conversations 4-5 Local Church News 6-7 UM Stance on Immigration 8-9 General Church News 10-12 Conference News
BISHOP David Alan Bard
are fragile and finite, knowing that we can and do foul things up, break things, yet knowing that we are capable of incredible acts of kindness, creativity, beauty, justice, compassion, courage and love, Lent invites us to lean into these qualities. We are sometimes frail and we don’t have forever, and we will mess things up sometimes, and yet in the span of our lives we can make a difference. We can do justice, and love kindness, and glow with the grace of God. “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (I Peter 3:8). In Lent we acknowledge that we can be both cruel and kind. In a world where cruelty seems to often have the upper hand, Lent encourages us to lean into kindness by the grace of God and in the power of the Spirit. In Lent we acknowledge that we can be both callous and tender. In a world that often encourages callousness and defensiveness, Lent encourage us to lean into tenderness by the grace of God and the power of the Spirit.
Photo by Paul Black Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai answers a question from the Central District Town Hall meeting on Feb. 2 at Belleville: Union UMC. A second Town Hall meeting – in the East District – was held Feb. 23 at Charleston: Wesley UMC. For a listing of dates and locations for the three remaining Town Hall meetings, see page 2 of this issue of The Current .
T H E current MAR 2025 | VOL. 29 • NO. 7
In the spirit of the Christmas season, the Mattoon First UMC endowment committee has disbursed $10,000 in financial gifts. Picturd above, Mike and Diane Snow of the Mattoon Rotary Club and members of Mattoon First UMC with $1,500 check to the Mattoon Rotary Club for their ramp ministry.
Photos courtesy of Mattoon First UMC 5
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Fielder appointed West District Superintendent
development, a calling I believe God has entrusted me," Dr. Fielder said. "I am committed to guiding others to the next level in their ministries, nurturing disciples who will spread the word of God and positively impact the world. My mission is to help others experience the love of Jesus Christ by fostering their spiritual growth, helping them discover their spiritual gifts, and preparing them for effective ministry."
BY PAUL BLACK SPRINGFIELD – Bishops David Alan Bard and Kennetha J. Bigham-Tsai announced today the appointment of the Rev. Dr. James Fielder as the West District Superintendent, effective July 1.
DEATHS
Lois Lytle , 96, widow of the Rev. Hubert P. Lytle, died Feb. 9 in Carmel, Ind. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www.arnmortuary. com/obituaries/lois-
by companies around the world on countless items including children’s books, greeting cards, prints, counted cross stitch kits, plush animals, mugs, puzzles, kitchenware, collectible figurines and music boxes. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www. hamiltonfuneralhomes.net/obituaries/ shelly-rasche Condolences may be sent to Rev. Jeff Rasche, 2121 E 2400th St., Camp Point, IL 62320-2504.
IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Gary C. Scheller , 86, died Jan. 24 in Aviston.
Dr. Fielder, currently the pastor of Moline Riverside UMC, succeeds the Rev. Nic Showalter, who has served the maximum eight consecutive years as superintendent. Rev. Showalter was recently appointed as directing pastor of Bloomington: Wesley and West Olive Faith UMC's. "The Rev. Nic Showalter has served the conference faithfully and well as a district superintendent," Bishop Bard said. "His ministry among us has been deeply appreciated. He has served both the IGRC and the West District, and its predecessors, with integrity, intelligence, joy, wit, a deep faith, and a deep love for the church. His cabinet colleagues and bishops will miss himr.” Regarding the appointment of Dr. Fielder, Bishop Bard said: “I am delighted to have James join the cabinet and become the West District Superintendent. He brings some wonderful educational and ministry experiences to this role, having earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian leadership development and having served in a variety of ministry settings. He is committed to helping the congregations of his district, as well as the entire conference, focus on the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. He has helped the congregations he has served revitalize their ministries. All this is rooted in his deep, personal faith in Jesus Christ. He will be a wonderful addition to the Cabinet team.” A native of St. Louis, Mo., Dr. Fielder is a decorated veteran, having served in the United States Marine Corps for 12 years and is a current member of the conference Board of Ordained Ministry. At age 23, Fielder enlisted in the Marines where he received his call into the ministry. "My life's work has been dedicated to leadership
Rev. Scheller served 38 years of active ministry in the former Southern Illinois and later, Illinois Great Rivers Conference, retiring in 1999 from Trenton. A celebration of life will be held later this spring. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www. spengel-boulanger.com/obituaries/Gary- Scheller/#!/Obituary Condolences may be sent to his wife, Patricia Scheller, 120 Sun Ct., Highland, IL 62249-2424. IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Southern California-Arizona Conference and was ordained in the New York Annual Conference in 1969. He transferred to the former Central Illinois Conference in 1973, serving 27 years of ministry, retiring in 2000 from Washington: Evangelical UMC. For a complete obituary, visit: https://www. swartzmortuary.com/obituary/reverend- robert-raymond-wood where condolences may be left for the family. Condolences may also be sent to his wife, Janet Wood, 500 Dove Dr., Franklin, IN 46131-2739. Robert R. Wood , 86, died Jan. 17. Rev. Wood began his 34 years of active ministry in the former
The Current (USPS 014-964) is published monthly by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The UMC, 5900 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62711 An individual subscription is $15 per year. The opinions expressed in viewpoints are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Current, The IGRC, or The UMC . Communications Team Leader: Paul E. Black Team members: Kim Halusan, Michele Willson Send materials to: P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207 or tel. 217.529.2040 or fax 217.529.4155 thecurrent@igrc.org , website www.igrc.org Periodical postage paid at Peoria, IL, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to The Current , Illinois Great Rivers Conference, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207
sprague-oneal-alexander-lytle . Condolences may be sent to a granddaughter, Emily Schwindler, 3627 Brumley Mews, Carmel IN 46033, and will be shared with the rest of the family.
Dr. Fielder has led campaigns from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to Okinawa, Japan, and San Diego, Calif., spearheading technology initiatives. He has received two Navy Achievement Medals for excellence in leadership and as an instructor Marine in his military operational specialty. "For 18 years, I honed my leadership skills in the corporate sector, leading a team of ten technicians," he said. "Their work on various technology platforms, web development, networks, and service desks equipped me with the skills to manage and lead teams effectively." In addition to his being on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Dr. Fielder is a board member, associate and facilitator of the Kaleidoscope Institute, which has as its mission "to train leaders to create gracious spaces for courageous conversations and consulting to heal and transform organizations." He is also an International Coaching Federation certified life coach. He is also chair of the IGRC chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal and has served on the BMCR national board of directors. Fielder is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a double major in Organizational Leadership and Business Information Systems; master's degrees in religious education and church administration from Liberty University; a doctorate degree, focusing on self-awareness and leadership development from Northern Theological Seminary with an advanced course of study certificate from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Tia are the parents of three children.
Carolyn K. “Casey” Andrew , 89, a member of Lebanon: First UMC, died Feb. 6 in Lebanon. Mrs. Andrew was very active with the church not only as a Sunday school teacher and
Fumiko Shibata Brown , 97, widow of the Rev. Thomas H. Brown, died Feb. 2, in Madison, Ala. Fumiko graduated with a degree in art from a women’s university
youth leader but served in leadership roles with the United Methodist Women as District President, Conference Vice-President and Dean of the School of Mission. She was also a former lay member to annual conference, served on the board of both Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House and Cunningham Children’s Home, where she served as Board President. For a complete obituary, visit: https:// meridithfuneralhome.com/obituary/carolyn- k-casey-andrew/ Condolences may be sent to her daughter, Kerri Yess, 12074 Carberry Pl., St. Louis, MO 63131. Shelly Rasche , 69, wife of IGRC retired pastor, the Rev. Jeff Rasche, died Feb. 3. Shelly was a prolific freelance commercial artist whose designs have been published
in Tokyo, Japan, and was also an accomplished seamstress, running her own alterations and custom sewing business in her 60s and 70s. Following World War II, Fumiko worked in her great-aunt’s orphanage to learn the skills needed to be a missionary to China. Little did she know her future husband would be one of the American soldiers who took orphans out for day trips through the Army chaplain’s office. Fumiko and Thomas H. Brown married, started a family and later returned to the United States. The Browns served for more than 20 years in the former Central Illinois Conference. For a complete obituary visit: https://www. legacychapelfunerals.com/obituaries/ fumiko-brown Condolences may be sent to her daughters, Pam Molitoris, 1937 E Cook St, Springfield IL 62703, or Sharon Brown, 84 Carefree Dr, Chatham, IL 62629-1565.
THE CURRENT | MARCH 2025 | 1
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
C H R I S T I AN CONVERSATIONS
Amendment would make the church more open (Editor’s note: Lay and clergy members to Annual Conference will consider the ratification of four constitutional amendments to The Book of Discipline. These four items received more than two-thirds affirmative vote by General Conference delegates and ratification requires a two- third affirmative vote in the aggregate of all annual conferences worldwide.)
Bishop Kennetha scheduling District Town Hall meetings SPRINGFIELD – Bishop Kennetha J. Bigham- Tsai is scheduling Town Hall Meetings in each of the five districts in the upcoming months. This will be an opportunity to meet Bishop Kennetha and ask questions. The day's schedule will have the bishop preaching at a church in the morning followed by the District Town Hall Meeting in the afternoon. The first two District visits were Feb. 2 in the Central District and Feb. 23 in the East District. The remaining dates are as follows: • North District – Sunday, March 23, Preaching at The Bridge, 10 a.m. Town Hall at Pontiac: First UMC, 2:30 p.m. • West District – Sunday, April 6, Preaching at Macomb: Wesley. Town Hall at Monmouth UMC, TBA • South District – Sunday, May 4. Preaching at Mt. Vernon: First UMC, 10 a.m. Town Hall Meeting at Carbondale: First UMC, time TBA Bishop Bard to host Confirmation Rally AUBURN – Bishop David Bard is inviting confirmation students to join him for the 2025 IGRC Confirmation Rally, which will be Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Auburn UMC. The rally is open to all current 2025 confirmation class studnets and those recently confirmed youth who joined the church in 2024. This special day of celebration and witness bringstogether confirmands from across our conference to strengthen their faith journey and connection with our United Methodist family. Register online at: https://igrc-reg.brtapp.co m/2025BishopsConfirmationRally Cost is $8 per student confirmand with adult leaders being free. Registration of both students and adults are needed for an accurate lunch count. Registration deadline is March 24. Disaster Response Training ERT Recertification Join us for ERT recertification training delivered via Zoom. Recertification requires attendance at both dates. These interactive virtual sessions will refresh your ERT knowledge, update
you on new procedures, and maintain your certification status. Dates: March 11 and 13, 6 to 8 p.m. (via Zoom) Contact: Curt Franklin, cfranklin@igrc.org Basic ERT Training for new Early Response Team members. Full-day, in-person training covering fundamental early response skills and protocols. Date: June 4, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: Peoria (day before the start of Annual Conference) Contact: Curt Franklin, cfranklin@igrc.org Basic ERT Training for new Early Response Team members. Full-day, in-person training covering fundamental early response skills and protocols. Date: Saturday, Sept. 6, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: East Bay Camp Contact: Curt Franklin, cfranklin@igrc.org ERT Recertification Join us for ERT recertification training delivered via Zoom. Recertification requires attendance at both dates. These interactive virtual sessions will refresh your ERT knowledge, update you on new procedures, and maintain your certification status. Dates: Oct. 28 and 30, 6 to 8 p.m. (via Zoom) Contact: Curt Franklin, cfranklin@igrc.org Looking for ways to connect with young people? SPRINGFIELD – Join our Relational Discipleship Kickstart (RDK) spring cohort! Are you a pastor, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, or volunteer who connects with young people in your church? Through 10 weeks of flexible learning and 3 Zoom gatherings, you'll gain practical tools for connecting with youth, engaging families, and building sustainable ministry practices. Learn more and register at https://igrc-reg. brtapp.com/RelationalDiscipleshipCohort Questions? Contact Curt Franklin at youth@igrc.org Church and Society hosting online Book Study Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and
repentance. It's also a good time to dive deep into a challenging topic, discuss with our brothers and sisters in faith, and chart action toward a new future. We hope participation in this book study inspires action toward Church and Society's goal of becoming anti-racist in the IGRC. Meeting once a week for 4 weeks (March 12, 19, 26 and April 2, 7 to 8:15 p.m.) during Lent, participants will discuss the book, The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee and explore content with a theological lens. Sessions will also feature learnings on what is happening in our world now and how to engage in meaningful action. Register online for this book study at: https://igrc-reg.brtapp.com/sumofus Please email christina.krost@gmail.com if you have any questions. Applications sought from churches, candidates for 2025 Intern Program SPRINGFIELD – - Applications are now open for the 2025 IGRC Intern Program. Prospective interns, mentors, and host church representatives are welcome to visit www.igrc.org/interns for all the details and application links. Final deadline is March 3. Living Into My Yes sessions explore calls into ministry SPRINGFIELD – - The “Living Into My Yes” online inquiry session is designed for people of any age or life stage who are beginning to discern a call to some form of vocational ministry but who have not yet officially begun the process toward ordination or licensing. Pastors and other leaders are welcome to attend to learn more about the process. Upcoming events in the Living Into My Yes series include: • Tuesday, April 29, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Living Into My Yes for Supply. This session is especially for laity currently assigned to a church as Supply to learn their options.
• Thursday, June 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Living Into My Yes online inquiry session. This session is for anyone discerning how God might be calling you. Read more by visiting: https://www.igrc. org/living-into-my-yes United Methodist Scholarship portal open for 2025-26 school year Information for the 2025-26 school year. Scholarships and low interest loans made possible through UM Student Day offering. Applications will be accepted through March 31. Apply for a United Methodist scholarship by visiting: https://www.gbhem.org/ scholarships/apply-for-scholarships UM Higher Education Foundation accepting scholarship applications The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-26 school year. The foundation's scholarship program awards $2 million to nearly 1,000 students attending United Methodist-related institutions. Deadline for applying is April 1. Read more by visiting: https://umhef. org/2025-scholarship-applications
Mission can revitalize United Methodism BY REV. DR. JEAN CLAUDE MASUKA MALEKA people and the communities in which they live.
Engaging the world and society Wesley always encouraged active engagement from Christians in society, whether through education, health care or economic development. Timothy C. Tennent, writing in “Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is Influencing the Way We Think About and Discuss Theology,” emphasizes that “Wesley believed in a global mission, but he also saw it as concrete service within local social structures, including education and aid to the poor.” To revitalize its missionary role, The United Methodist Church must engage meaningfully with contemporary issues that shape the world: social ethics, environmental protection, human rights and ethical governance. Practical engagement in the world is essential. For the church to truly reinvent itself, it must move beyond the walls of its buildings and respond to the social calls of its time. The example of the historical Methodist movement, with its actions in favor of abolishing slavery and educating the poor, can inspire a new generation of social evangelists. Empowering laity and collective mission One of the most distinctive aspects of Wesleyan theology is its vision of the laity as key players in the mission. Wesley believed in a church of “lay disciples,” where every believer, whether a pastor or not, has an active responsibility in the mission work. “Every Christian is a missionary, and the Church must be a community of missionaries, where each believer plays a role in announcing the Kingdom of God,” Wesley states. To revitalize The United Methodist Church, it is crucial to encourage the laity to take on leadership roles in mission while fostering a collaborative approach with pastors. By revising ecclesial structures to make them more inclusive and participatory, the church can encourage a mission commitment from all its members. Mission should not be the sole work of pastors but a collective project where every believer becomes an ambassador of Christ. Prayer and spiritual formation Prayer and spiritual formation are essential to any revitalized mission effort. Wesley himself stressed the importance of daily prayer, prayer groups and spiritual retreats. “Prayer is the fuel for Christian mission; without it, the Church cannot hope to accomplish its mission in a sustainable and authentic way,” writes Michael E. Barr in “Wesley and the Mission of the Church.” In this framework, effective mission must first arise in the hearts of believers, in their MISSION CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UM News) – Christian
mission is a central element of Wesleyan theology and a foundational pillar of The United Methodist Church’s identity. To revitalize this church in an increasingly dehumanized and searching world, we must return to the principles of mission according to Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, while contextualizing them within contemporary challenges. Wesleyan theology provides pathways for the revitalization of mission within The United Methodist Church in several ways. Sanctification as the foundation In Wesleyan theology, sanctification is at the heart of the Christian experience. Wesley viewed sanctification as a continuous transformation that brings the believer closer to the image of Christ. This pertains not only to the individual but also to the entire Christian community. “Sanctification is the process by which we become more like Christ, and this is the true goal of mission,” Wesley writes. (The Wesley quotes in this article can be found in “The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 7”). A revitalized church must understand that the call to mission is inseparable from the life of sanctification: The believer, transformed by the love of God, becomes a living witness of the Gospel. Mission is not limited to isolated actions or external strategies; it begins with inner transformation, deeply affecting the character and commitment of believers. By emphasizing sanctification, The United Methodist Church can reclaim a clear vision of its mission, becoming a place of continuous conversion and transformation, both spiritual and social. Mission at the heart of society Wesley did not merely preach a message of individual salvation; he insisted that the Gospel must also translate into concrete actions of social transformation. “Wesley preached a Gospel that concerned not only individual redemption but also social well-being,” notes Albert C. Outler in John Wesley’s Theology: A Study in Historical Theology. For Wesley, Christian mission involved a genuine responsibility toward society, especially the most disadvantaged. A revitalized mission within The United Methodist Church should include an integral approach to mission, combining spiritual evangelism with a commitment to social justice. The church must address contemporary challenges, such as poverty, social injustices, ethnic conflicts and environmental crises. By preaching a Gospel that touches both the hearts of individuals and the structures of society, The United Methodist Church can offer a relevant and transformative message for
amendment has nothing to do sexuality. In this amendment, the inclusion of gender simply means being male or female is no bar to United Methodist church membership. Every lay and clergy voting member within every annual conference will have the opportunity to vote on this amendment. Ratification will be based upon the percentage of the total number of votes from across The United Methodist Church. Every vote will be counted. When your annual conference moves into the voting session focused on the constitutional amendments from General Conference, Ratification Ballot #1 focuses on regionalization. Ratification Ballot #2 will be Paragraph 4, Article IV. These amendments will be presented for possible discussion, but they cannot be amended or changed. Every individual vote will be counted, and the goal is to have at least two-thirds of all votes in favor of the amendment. Some people have shared that they feel like Paragraph 4, Article IV doesn’t go far enough in listing groups that cannot be discriminated against and that it isn’t progressive enough. That is a fair concern, and we have to start where we are. When churches, denominations and organizations work on ensuring that all are welcome, they have to take steps towards their goal. Changes, like constitutional amendments, have to meet people where they are and help them take steps towards welcoming all people. The addition of ability and gender are a step in the right direction. The United Methodist Church celebrates an open table. At the Holy Communion table, all are welcome, without regard to difference. Voting “yes” on Ballot #2 for Paragraph 4, Article IV is a way to ensure that there are no barriers to membership in The United Methodist Church. (Casperson is the director of Enrollment Management at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, and a deacon in the West Ohio Conference. She was a delegate at last year’s General Conference. She also is a board member of the United Methodist Commission on the Status and Role of Women, which submitted the amendment to General Conference.) Amendment’s wording If the amendment is ratified, Paragraph 4, Article IV would read as follows: “All persons, without regard to race, gender, ability, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.”
BY REV. APRIL CASPERSON At last year’s General Conference, an important amendment to The United Methodist Constitution was passed. Paragraph 4, Article
IV added “gender” and “ability” to the categories of persons who cannot be denied membership within a United Methodist church. The addition of gender and ability matters. Often, congregations will say, “We welcome everyone!” But it can be easy to become complacent in being intentionally welcoming to all. Naming specific groups, demographics and dimensions of diversity helps us consider who might not be present in our churches and to be intentional about welcoming all. Adding the word “ability” is a bold acknowledgement that the church is for all people. As I am continuing to learn about disability advocacy, I am thankful for the Disabilities Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church and its resourcing for the connection. It can be easy for churches to have preferences for new visitors and members who look and sound like the majority of the congregation. Think about someone you know who has physical and/or mental abilities that differ from yours. Can you think of a time when they were not fully welcomed into a community, a workplace, a school or even a family, simply because they were different? The church exists to welcome all, not just the majority. Adding “ability” to Paragraph 4, Article IV makes our universal welcome even more clear for persons with differing abilities. Adding the word “gender” may feel unnecessary, but we still have many spaces in our world where gender discrimination exists. Women and men are part of God’s beloved community. The denomination uses expansive language to describe God, and all persons, regardless of gender, can serve in lay and clergy leadership throughout the church. I am hopeful that 2025 will be the year when we pass ratification of Paragraph 4, Article IV. In 2016, we came very close. The addition of “gender” and “ability” passed at the General Conference level, but when individual voting members voted, we fell short of the two-thirds vote needed. The Rev. Leigh Goodrich provided a summary of 2016 voting. It is important to note that the number and configuration of the annual conferences listed differ from today’s United Methodist Church. In conversations with people from annual conferences where most of the members voted “no” in 2016, we came to understand that there was concern that the topic could be related to human sexuality. It should be noted that this
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THE CURRENT | MARCH 2025 | 3
DISCOVER... MI SS I ON
LOCAL CHURCH NEWS
Discover...Mission: expanding horizons in 2025-2026 BY CURT FRANKLIN IGRC Coordinator of Mission and Outreach United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is deadline of Sept. 1. Zimbabwe: African horizons August 2026 will bring an opportunity to serve in Zimbabwe, offering participants a chance to experience
Bloomington Wesley mission journeys to Guatemala
How to get involved For those interested in the Peru journey, team leader Jody Pratt can be contacted at prattgji09@gmail.com . Additional information about all Discover...Mission journeys is available at https://www.umvim.org/ discovermission Support the Mission To support the work of Discover... Mission through the North Central Jurisdiction, contributions can be made through Advance #901375 . These donations help make these transformative experiences possible and support the ongoing work of UMVIM in developing meaningful mission partnerships across the globe. Through these upcoming journeys, Discover...Mission continues its tradition of creating meaningful cross- cultural experiences that transform both volunteers and the communities they serve. Whether in the urban centers of Peru, the communities of Zimbabwe, or the diverse landscapes of Costa Rica, each journey offers unique opportunities for growth, service, and understanding.
BY SUSAN DEASON Bloomington Wesley UMC
BLOOMINGTON – Nine members of Bloomington Wesley UMC travelled to Guatemala for our church’s first international mission trip since COVID. Thanks to UMVIM’s mission database and assistance in planning, we were able to team up with the Organization for the Development of Indigenous Maya in San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna, Guatemala ( Advance #30220390 ). The purpose of this journey was to share our physical, spiritual and financial gifts with ODIM and the San Juan and San Pablo people; to understand the people, culture and beauty of another part of the world that God has created, and to share Christ’s love by our caring actions and interactions. Our group flew from Bloomington to Atlanta Ga. While we were in the airport, we met several other groups who were also traveling to Guatemala
launching an exciting series of mission journeys for 2025- 2026, offering transformative opportunities to serve and learn alongside international partners. These carefully crafted experiences go beyond traditional mission trips, fostering deep cultural exchange and meaningful partnerships with host communities. Peru: A New Year's journey of service Dec. 30, 2025 – Jan. 10, 2026 will see volunteers traveling to the vibrant regions of Lima and Callao, Peru. This mission journey will focus on three key areas: youth engagement, light construction projects, and healthcare initiatives. Building on UMVIM's decade-long partnership with the Peruvian Iglesia Metodista, participants will work directly with local communities to address their specific needs and priorities. The Peru journey comes with a cost of $1,600 plus airfare, and scholarships are available for qualifying persons. Interested participants should note the application
the rich cultural heritage of southern Africa while engaging in meaningful mission work. This journey represents UMVIM's commitment to fostering global
connections and understanding. Costa Rica: future horizons
Plans are currently in development for a future mission journey to Costa Rica, adding to the diverse range of opportunities for young adults to serve and learn in different cultural contexts. More than just a mission trip Discover...Mission journeys are uniquely designed to create genuine partnerships between volunteers and host communities. These experiences emphasize cultural immersion, spiritual growth, and sustainable service that responds to locally identified needs.
water filtration systems for families in need. Thanks to the generosity of our Wesley Church family, 16 stoves and water filters were purchased and 12 were installed during the mission (the other four to be installed by another team). In many of the homes in the low-income areas of San Juan and San Pablo, families do their cooking over an open fire on the dirt or concrete floor of their home, and there is little venting of the smoke other than through windows or doors, or gaps in the walls. Safe stoves contain the flame in a small fire box, and the smoke is vented with a chimney through the roof. The installation process involves finding or creating a level space for the stove, the stacking of cinder blocks for a base, and assembly of the stove parts made of clay and concrete. The stove requires 70 percent less wood than an open fire, and once it is hot, it stays hot for long periods of time due to the clay components inside.
for various missions. We flew into the Guatemala City airport and then traveled by van (about 3 hours) to Antigua. On Sunday morning, we took the van to San Juan La Laguna which was our home base. We would then travel to the next turn over, San Pablo, for training and education for the week. Poverty affects 97 percent of the population in San Pablo and 76 percent in San Juan. San Pablo has an adult population that is majority illiterate. Much of the population suffers from chronic malnutrition. Contaminated water in both communities is a huge problem. And in the department of Sololá, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses are the leading causes of death. The work focus for going to ODIM was to build safe stoves and deliver
(Editor’s note: Sarah Metz was a recipient of the Directors Scholarship and served with a Discover…Mission team to Liberia in July 2023.) BY SARAH METZ Mt. Vernon: Gay Street UMC, East Ohio Conference In May 2023, I was presented with a Journey to Liberia: Ganta Hospital
Within the walls of the pharmacy, I learned Pharmacist Barr’s methodology behind stocking, inventory, and common medication administration in Ganta. He was also beyond gracious enough to teach me the administrative side of pharmacy, which I did not even have experience in within the States. Pharmacist Barr’s techniques proved his excellence as a pharmacist, and I was very impressed with the love he pours into his unit. My participation in the emergency department was overwhelming. After not having much hands-on clinical experience, I was guided in the right directions by Nurse Grace. The staff of the ER were knowledgeable about
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surreal opportunity to travel to Liberia in Africa to participate in a medical mission trip. We arrived in Ganta, at Ganta United Methodist Hospital, to a home of welcoming arms and excited staff. As a pharmacy student, I was able to practice hands-on clinical skills that would not be routinely done within the States, and it was rewarding to have so many wonderful mentors along the way to teach me their ways and techniques. Individuals studying pharmacy in Liberia are sparse, and the staff was beyond surprised, and
Administrative council and committee members were installed during worship services at both Bradley Wesley and Kankakee St. Mark UMC’s. This special moment reminded the churches that, just as every part of the body is vital, every member of the Church is essential in fulfilling God’s mission.
common disease states in the country, and were more than willing to explain methods of treatment within the hospital. Although there were plenty of differences in care between the States and Liberia, the staff in the ER are very willing to educate their patients, and even visitors like myself, in the importance of adequate healthcare. In the OB GYN/Labor
thankful for me to be there. I walked into the doors of the hospital with expectations of learning more than my brain and my heart could handle, and that was beyond achieved. Although I spent time in every single unit, and every unit impacted my heart, there were three units that really impacted myself as a student.
Photos courtesy of Enrico Esguerra
BY CAREY SMITH Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens SPRINGFIELD – In October 2024, we broke ground for our concrete contractor to pour the 16' x 27' pad that will hold the six accessible beds, picnic table, bench, and tool shed. They also constructed a 50' walkway from our front gate to the pad and poured a small walkway to the public sidewalk directly outside the fence. Our fencing contractor put in an easy sliding gate over the small walkway, giving folks easy and direct access to the garden. Most recently, a landscaping company donated labor and materials for a beautiful brick walkway through the front gate. It runs from the public sidewalk outside the garden to the 50' concrete sidewalk, which connects to the concrete pad. Our garden volunteers put down cardboard and mulch between the 50' sidewalk and our front fence with plans to install a pollinator pocket garden this spring. They did the same around the concrete pad and the fence nearest it. We're hoping this will help keep weeds down as well as create a more beautiful atmosphere and nurture the pollinators in our garden. Thanks to the United Methodist Foundation for its generosity in helping us to attain the grant for our accessible garden. I think we are building something beneficial and needed in our community, and we couldn't have done it without the funding and the Foundation's help in accessing that funding. UM Foundation assists in making community garden accessible for all
and Delivery units, I met too many beautiful babies to count. I admire each staff member and their love for their patients and their babies. The nurses took care of each patient as their own children and family. I found it so easy to connect with these patients and provide care solely because of our common relationship with Christ. Even in the States, it is difficult to develop a stable patient-provider relationship. Ganta United Methodist Hospital taught me more about your healthcare than a classroom could ever provide, from language barriers, health literacy, fear of new people, and differences in access to care. Everyone was extremely
Photos courtesy of Mattoon First UMC
In the spirit of the Christmas season, the Mattoon First UMC endowment committee has disbursed $10,000 in financial gifts to the following organizations: $1,500 to New Life Car Care, $1,500 to the Mattoon Schools Children's Assistance Fund, $1,500 to the Mattoon Rotary Club for their ramp ministry, $1,500 to the Mattoon Community Food Center, $2,000 to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and $2,000 to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center. Pictured in the photos includes (LEFT) Amy Agapito, Pat Eastin, Tracey Perry, & Jordan Coleman from the Mattoon School's Children's Assistance Fund, (ABOVE ) Dan Craw of New Life Car Care, and (ABOVE RIGHT) Josh Zappa of Mattoon Community Food Center.
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UM STANCE ON IMMIGRATION
UM STANCE ON IMMIGRATION
look deeply at who we are as United Methodist people, how our theology informs our actions, and that this is a time when the integration of theology and action really needs to come to the forefront," Bickerton said. "The time is now for us to take an aggressive posture of what it means to love God deeply and love our neighbor thoroughly and offer places of welcome, refuge and safety for anyone who has a longing or a need for wholeness in their lives. This is a time for United Methodist people to act." The United Methodist Church’s ministry, purpose and witness depend on the ability to worship freely and peacefully, said the Rev. Rodrigo Cruz, assistant to the bishop in the North Georgia Conference. “We are grateful for the opportunity to join so many Christian and Jewish denominations in making this reasonable and sound request in order to achieve our mission,” Cruz said in a statement. “Finally, we are thankful for a country built with checks and balances, that allows us the opportunity to pursue a necessary appeal that speaks to the core of our existence.” (Hahn is assistant news editor for UM News.) The church’s stance on immigration The revised Social Principles adopted by the 2024 United Methodist General Conference state: “We affirm the dignity, worth and rights of migrants, immigrants and refugees, including displaced and stateless people... We urge United Methodists to welcome migrants, refugees and immigrants into their congregations and to commit themselves to providing concrete support, including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment and other kinds of support. We oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees.”
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of God worthy of dignity, care, and love,” the suit states. “Welcoming the stranger, or immigrant, is thus a central precept of their faith practices.” In filing the suit, the groups are working with Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection. The institute also is involved in a case that has led to a judge putting an indefinite hold on President Trump’s plans to eliminate birthright citizenship via executive order. “The rescission of the sensitive-locations policy is already substantially burdening their religious exercise,” Kelsi Corkran, the religious groups' lead counsel and the institute’s Supreme Court director, said in a press conference. “Congregations are experiencing decreases in worship attendance and social service participation due to fears of ICE, and they’re put in this untenable position.” She said houses of worship now must choose whether to continue to welcome undocumented people into their places of worship or expose people to the risk of arrest and deportation. The new Homeland Security policy, initiated on President Trump’s first day in office, disavows any “bright resumes and navigate employment websites. Donate to the UMCOR's Global Migration Fund. Our United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and United Methodist Global Ministries are working to provide relief and safety to migrants around the world. Or consider providing hygiene kits that will be distributed by UMCOR. Speak up for a spirit of welcome in your community, locally and nationally. Around the world, xenophobic rhetoric, attitudes, and actions are turning communities into places of inhospitality and exclusion on local and national levels. This is having a real impact on policies and is fomenting acts of violence. Oppose fearmongering and xenophobia in conversations in public and in private—at the market, at church, at school, and at home. Remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). Be an active citizen and speak out to make society better. What you can do Because no person, organization or nation can solve these issues alone, we can convince ourselves there is nothing we can do to make a difference. In reality, there are a variety of things United Methodists can do to stand with and support migrants in our communities and around the world. Pray. We pray that God will bring peace and justice for all people. Advocate for legislation. The first time you contact an elected representative can be uncomfortable, but rewarding. Government officials listen to their constituents, so voice your concerns to those in power. Ask them to support policies that are hospitable to refugees and immigrants, and to introduce new legislation to make immigration, refugee and asylum processes just and efficient. Welcome migrants and refugees to your congregation. Invite those new to your community to learn more about your congregation as a place of Christian worship, a part of the community, and a resource for assistance. Research ways your congregation can serve immigrants in your community. Support language classes. Many communities need volunteers to teach the dominant language in your nation. In the United States, for example, there are typically needs for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Volunteer to teach. Ask your congregation to host classes. Support local employment counseling services. Many communities have programs that offer assistance to those looking for work. Volunteers are trained to help fill out application forms, prepare
line rules regarding where our immigration laws are permitted to be enforced.” Instead, Homeland Security leaves it up to ICE agents’ discretion whether they enter houses of worship and other traditionally protected areas. The policy rescinds 30-year-old guidelines for immigration enforcement rooted in a concept of “sanctuary” that goes back to the medieval church. The legal protection offered by sanctuary even plays a role in the novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” “The Church has long been a sanctuary for all and Church property is a sacred space where the faithful gather to worship, serve and find community in Christ without fear,” said Western North Carolina Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr., in a statement. The Western North Carolina Conference joins the lawsuit, he added, “to affirm that our churches must remain the dwelling places of God, who has set them apart for peace and sanctuary, where the rights of all who enter are upheld, including the rights of the Church to fulfill its mission.” Churches already have seen the new policy in action. In the Trump administration’s first week, ICE agents arrested more than 4,500 people, including nearly 1,000 people in a Sunday “immigration enforcement blitz.” One arrest took place at a Pentecostal church in Georgia during worship service. Christianity Today reported that the man and his family, who came to the U.S. fleeing violence in Honduras, had previously turned themselves into authorities to seek asylum. Authorities outfitted him with a GPS-tracking bracelet and allowed him to pursue his case. Arch Street United Methodist Church in Philadelphia already has dealt with federal authorities coming to its door three times this year. The multiethnic, 330-member church, in partnership with the city of Philadelphia, provides a drop-in shelter for homeless people. Agents, saying they were with Homeland Security, have showed up seeking information on the people using the shelter. The Rev. Robin Hynicka, the church’s lead pastor, told United Methodist News that church leaders explained to the agents that the church’s contract with the city requires
that the privacy of the church’s guests be maintained. “I can’t say they were looking for an undocumented person or whether they were looking for someone they suspected of a crime. I have no idea. They had no warrant,” Hynicka said. On Feb. 11, the church's board of trustees passed a resolution outlining its practice of requiring valid search or arrest warrants for law enforcement to enter the building. But even in such an event, the resolution states, that the church still will consult with legal counsel first to ensure such warrants are valid. The resolution states that "it is the desire of the Board of Trustees to ensure that such actions are conducted in a lawful manner consistent with constitutional protections." After Trump’s first election in 2016, Arch Street United Methodist Church offered sanctuary to a husband and father, who was in the process of qualifying for legal status that he now has. Today, he owns a tree-trimming business. The congregation has publicly declared again its willingness to be a sanctuary church. The church's board of trustees passed another resolution Feb. 11, affirming its stance "that this right to provide sanctuary is essential to the free exercise of religion and must be respected as such." Hynicka stressed that the executive orders Trump signed have created a climate of fear far beyond church walls. “People are afraid to come out of their houses to go shop or to take their kids to school,” he said. “It creates a public safety hazard. They’re afraid to report crimes. And life still goes on, and life isn’t always beautiful for folks who are vulnerable.” Bishop Thomas Bickerton leads the New York Conference that is home to many immigrant congregations both within New York City and in surrounding communities, and he said many parishioners are scared. Just as the Statue of Liberty still lifts her torch over New York Harbor, Bickerton encourages United Methodists to serve as a beacon of hope in a frightening time. "I just would encourage all United Methodists to really
United Methodists join suit against Trump policy UMNews file photo by Kathleen Barry Hundreds, including United Methodists, march for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Dream Act on Sept. 8, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. For United Methodists and other faith communities, care for immigrants is core to their mission.
order suspending the U.S. refugee resettlement program as well as the efforts by the Trump administration to withhold critical, congressionally-appropriated funding for refugee processing and services. The new federal litigation, filed in a district court in Washington State, asks the court to declare the executive order illegal, stop its implementation and restore refugee-related funding. Church World Service joins in the legal action with HIAS and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. “It’s a biblical mandate for us to welcome the foreigner, to care for them,” he said. He pointed to directives to welcome the stranger throughout the Old and New Testament, including Jesus’ words in the Gospels. The United Methodist Social Principles also urge care for immigrants and refugees. “It’s a biblical understanding that we are placed with this responsibility to care, protect and love our neighbor.” But at this time, he said, local church ministries are at risk for the work they are doing with migrants. “It’s not only through providing worship experiences; it’s also about providing pastor care, about English as a Second Language classes; it’s about food pantries,” Arroyo said. “It’s about all these other elements that are connected to immigrant siblings that now are in jeopardy because of the sensitive-location removal.” He said more United Methodist ministries wanted to join the case, but the constraints of the lawsuit limited the number of plaintiffs. Each United Methodist body is a separate legal entity under federal law. The 27 plaintiffs also include the Christian denominations of the Mennonite Church USA, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Episcopal Church, the Friends General Conference (Quakers) and the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Unitarian Universalist Association is another plaintiff. Also joining the suit are three Jewish branches — Union for Reform Judaism (the largest Jewish movement in the U.S.), Reconstructing Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. “They bring this suit unified on a fundamental belief: Every human being, regardless of birthplace, is a child
BY HEATHER HAHN WASHINGTON, D. C. (UMNews) — United Methodists have joined with other Christian denominations and Jewish bodies in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The religious groups are seeking a reversal of the Trump administration policy that allows ICE agents to carry out raids in houses of worship. United Methodists and other religious leaders emphasize that this policy change intrudes on their biblical mandate to care for migrants. United Methodists have joined with more than two dozen Christian and Jewish bodies in filing a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration policy that allows immigration enforcement within houses of worship. Specifically, the case seeks to reverse the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s policy permitting ICE agents to carry out immigration raids in “sensitive locations,” such as schools, hospitals, synagogues and churches. Instead, the suit wants to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement from intruding on ministry without judicial warrant or special circumstances. The lawsuit, filed Feb. 11 in federal court in Washington, D.C., argues that the new policy interferes with core Christian and Jewish beliefs. The policy also violates both the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the suit contends. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race as well as the denomination’s New York, North Georgia and Western North Carolina conferences are among the groups bringing the legal action. The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, Religion and Race’s top executive, said United Methodists have an obligation to resist injustice. Supporting refugees The Christian and Jewish lawsuit seeking to protect ministries with immigrants comes a day after Church World Service, a United Methodist partner, filed a lawsuit to restore refugee resettlement in the U.S. The suit challenges President Trump’s executive
SOLIDARITY WITH THE SOJOURNER WEBINAR
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Multiple denominational leaders gathered Feb. 10 for a webinar to discuss the United Methodist response to immigrant justice and United Methodists across the connection, Solidarity with the Sojourner: Understanding U.S. Immigration and Our Call to Respond is available for On Demand Playback at: https:// www.resourceumc.org/en/content/solidarity-with-the-sojourners “This webinar provided an in-depth overview of the current U.S. immigration landscape and explore the challenges immigrant communities face and the policies shaping their lives,” explains Rev. Kendal McBroom, General Board of Church and Society’s Director of Civil Human Rights, one of the speakers for the event. “Together, we will reflect on our faith’s call to action and discuss practical ways United Methodists can respond.” “As United Methodists, our Social Principles affirm our commitment to offer support and welcome immigrants, migrants and refugees into our congregations,” says Bishop Julius C. Trimble, General Secretary of The Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, who also will speak at the webinar. “As people of faith committed to justice, compassion, and dignity for all, we strongly oppose ICE raids that harm immigrant communities, create fear, separate families, and go against our moral calling to welcome and protect the vulnerable.”
In addition to McBroom and Trimble, other speakers included: • Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, General Secretary of The General Commission on Religion and Race • Melissa Bowe and Alba Jaramillo, Immigration Law and Justice Network • Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz, El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry of the United Methodist Church • Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, COB Chair of the Immigration Taskforce • The Rev. Laura B. Kigweba, Director of Grassroots Organizing at GBCS, moderated the webinar. Among the topics discussed are: • How and why the church is called to stand with immigrant communities • Challenges and opportunities with the current national legislative landscape • Biblical examples that reflect solidarity and how those examples can be modeled in the local church • How congregations can be in solidarity with immigrant-led congregations The webinar included a time for questions from participants. Organizers of the event are the General Board of Church and Society, the General Commission on Religion and Race, Immigration Law and Justice Network, Council of Bishops Immigration Task Force, and El Plan for Hispanic/Latine Ministry. United Methodist Communications is offering support for the event. Co-sponsors of this event are United Women in Faith and United Methodist Committee on Relief. The webinar is available in English, Spanish and ASL. Related Links Faith & Fact Cards: Immigration in the U.S. – https://www.umcjustice.org/ documents/33 Migrant Accompaniment Civil and Human Rights: A Guide to Supporting Migrants and Immigrants Globally – https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/600 Know Your Rights: Impact of Trump Policies – https://www.resourceumc.org/-/media/ umc-media/2025/02/11/22/15/know-your-rights-impact-of-trump-policies.pdf
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