Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $15,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Give Now Maybe Later Dismiss

Photo essay: Vigil for Creation

Photos by Mike DuBose and Paul Jeffrey
April 23, 2024 | CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News)

On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation to mark Earth Day and to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. Participants included Thomas Elliott (left), a professor at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, and Candler students Mary Frances Gaston (center) and Emily McGinn. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Grace Rogers from Jacksonville, Fla., a student at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta participates in a candlelight Vigil for Creation on Earth Day, April 22, on the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Annual Conference, who is also president of the board of directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, holds a candle at the Vigil for Creation on April 22 to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. His wife, the Rev. Im Hyon Jung, stands beside him. She is an elder in the Wisconsin Conference and director of International Relations, Asia & Global Programs, for the Upper Room/Discipleship Ministries. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation on Earth Day on the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Participants included Dr. Musa Dube, the distinguished professor of New Testament at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

The Rev. Pat Watkins, a leader of the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, reads Scripture during a service marking Earth Day at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte before the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Ragghi Rain Calentine, an Eastern Cherokee storyteller and chair of the United Methodist Native American International Conference, participates in a service at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte on the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

A view of the Shenandoah Valley near Pearisburg, Va., from the Woods Hole Hostel, a popular resting spot for hikers along the Appalachian Trail. On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists held a candlelight Vigil for Creation to advocate for greater stewardship of creation. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

The sun sets over the Amazon River near Manaus, Brazil. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

A candle holds hope as activists call on the denomination to greater stewardship of creation ahead of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. A vigil and service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodist Bishops bless the elements of Holy Communion during a world-wide worship service at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., in the lead-up to the 2024 United Methodist General Conference. From left are Bishops Israel Maestrado Painit of the Philippines, John Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria and Rodolfo A. Juan of the Philippines. The gathering was coordinated by the Love Your Neighbor Coalition and the National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

General Conference photos

UM News has photographers on the plenary floor of General Conference 2024 and at special events and meetings throughout the session. View photos from each day on Flickr.

See photos

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

Mission and Ministry

Holly Petti and her dog Paisley chat with people entering the Sanctuary at Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark. The church has a designated dog greeter every Sunday in addition to numerous pet outreach ministries the congregation offers. Image from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Dog church welcomes people and pets

A United Methodist church in Little Rock celebrates Earth Day by recognizing God’s care for his people and the pets they love.

Mission and Ministry

An activist speaks April 23, 2024, during a prayer vigil at the Bank of America headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., to protest the bank’s investments in fossil fuels. Fossil Free UMC and the UM Creation Justice Movement held the rally with local activists during the first day of General Conference 2024 in Charlotte. File photo courtesy of UM Creation Justice Movement.

Faith and hope power the EarthKeepers

The EarthKeeper movement within The United Methodist Church celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with about 450 graduates of its training program doing their best to make the environment safer for future generations.

General Conference

Planners shorten GC2028, discuss Minneapolis

Organizers are pressing forward with holding the 2028 United Methodist General Conference over eight days in Minneapolis. The group is also taking steps to protect delegates amid heightened immigration enforcement.

General Conference photos

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!