Racial Justice

The Rev. Scott Christy, president of the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists, speaks during a gathering for delegates and observers of the United Methodist General Conference hosted by the racial-ethnic caucus on April 28 at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Gladys P. Mangiduyos, UM News.

Delegates decry hate crimes against Asian Americans

Resolution addresses racial-ethnic discrimination and gender-based violence in the Asian American context.

Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Photo by Tessa Tillett for the Indiana Conference.

Why the church should speak up for affirmative action

Christians should mark recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action as a “setback in the goal of ending systemic racism,” writes United Methodist Bishop Julius C. Trimble.

Human Rights

Eight men in suits with ceremonial swords on their hips, June 19, 1900. These were the "officers of the day" at the Emancipation Day Juneteenth celebration. The ceremony was held at East Woods park on East 24th Street. Mrs. Stephensen kept a diary of the day, which she later sold to the San Francisco Chronicle. Photo by Grace Murray Stephenson, courtesy of the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

Juneteenth: Hope for the future wrapped in a history lesson

A federal holiday observed on June 19, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in the U.S. The holiday offers an opportunity for people of faith to reflect on history and recommit to resisting evil, injustice and oppression.

Social Concerns

Pamela Coleman, chair of the history committee at Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church, speaks to visitors from the Social Justice Pilgrimage about the joys and struggles of the historic church in west Baltimore. The once bustling “Mother Church of African American Methodism” now hosts about 20 worshippers on Sundays. Photo by Vernon Jordan, UM News.

A whirlwind pilgrimage through Methodist history

Race, social justice and the role of the church in politics all played a role in the first Social Justice Pilgrimage, a day of visiting and learning about United Methodist-associated locales in Baltimore and Washington.

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