Social Issues

Father Emmanuel Katongole, a Catholic priest and theologian who previously worked at Duke Divinity School, addresses the United Methodist Council of Bishops, meeting this week at Epworth by the Sea Conference Center in St. Simons Island, Ga. At the invitation of the bishops’ Anti-Racism Leadership Team, Katongole spoke of the challenges racism and tribalism present to Christians. Photo by Rick Wolcott, Council of Bishops.

Bishops hear call to be an ‘Ephesians church’

On U.S. Election Day, United Methodist bishops heard about the ongoing work of overcoming racism and tribalism. A theologian urged them to look to the Bible for guidance.

Human Rights

An African Libation service is performed in honor of the late Marcellus Williams during the final day of the biennial National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice on Oct. 5 in Kansas City, Mo. Williams was put to death on Sept. 24 in the state, while questions about his murder conviction persisted. From left to right are the Rev. Samantha Nyachoto, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Dover, N.J.; the Rev. Kevin Kosh Jr., director and strategist of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century’s National Network of Young Adults; and Nathaniel Callaway, founder of Ebony Excellence. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Summit spotlights mass incarceration, redemption

Amid gripping tales from a variety of speakers at the National Summit on Mass Incarceration, the top executive of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century shared how he is personally affected by the justice system.

Human Rights

The Rev. Calvin Hill, a Navajo holy man and pastor at First United Methodist Church in Newcastle, Wyo., puts cedar ashes on Doug Tzan, assistant dean at Wesley Theological Seminary, in a calling your name ceremony Sept. 11 during the 10th Historical Convocation at Bozeman United Methodist Church in Bozeman, Mont. The convocation featured a detailed report on The United Methodist Church’s involvement with U.S. boarding schools for Native American children. Photo by the Rev. Jeremy Smith.

Spotlighting UMC’s role in Indigenous boarding schools

A report on The United Methodist Church’s involvement with U.S. boarding schools for Native American children was presented at the 10th Historical Convocation. Remembrance and reconciliation is the goal of the initial research, but more work is planned.

Social Concerns

The Rev. Larry Pickens Photo courtesy of the author.

Advancing a theology of reparations

The Black experience is grounded in the pain of racism, and reparative justice offers a means to address that trauma and transform relationships.

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