Local Church

Church Leadership
The Rev. Daniel Hawkins (left) leads service at Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford, Texas. About a third of the congregation is Tongan and they lean toward traditional theology and politics, Hawkins says. He calls Martin a “purple church” with a blend of red (Republican) and blue (Democrat) members. “We have been comfortable with the idea of being unified without being uniform.” Photo courtesy of Martin United Methodist Church.

Pastors walk a political tightrope

Political and moral polarization is prominent in the United States, and United Methodist pastors are treading carefully on these issues as they lead diverse congregations.
Local Church
Susan Clark. Photo courtesy of the author.

Winter guard meets Wesleyan warmth

St. John’s United Methodist Church in South Carolina opens its doors to out-of-state teen performers at a moment’s notice, showing the United Methodist connection at work.
Church Leadership
The Rev. Stephen Handy (center) sits with Tommas Bolton (left) and Kevin Haas during a community meal at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. “We sit with them,” Handy said. “We want to know the names; we want to hear the stories.” Handy has been pastor at McKendree since 2009 and also supervises about 20 urban churches between Nashville and Memphis, encouraging them to get out in their neighborhoods. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Dare to take risks to move church forward, pastor says

The Rev. Stephen Handy envisions more United Methodist churches using the spare space in their buildings to build partnerships in their neighborhoods.
Social Concerns
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers chase Carlos Chavez (not pictured), a Mexican-born member of North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission in Los Angeles, on Jan. 29 on church property. Chavez was deported shortly thereafter. The ICE raid disrupted a food ministry and mothers and children working in the church garden. Photo courtesy of North Hills Hispanic Mission United Methodist Church.

Decision on ‘sensitive location’ policy coming

As a Los Angeles United Methodist church reels from a recent raid by ICE that led to the quick deportation of one of its members, a U.S. appeals court heard arguments that the federal memo that allowed the raid should be struck down.

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