theology

United Methodists are joining with other Christians in Palm Sunday actions across the United States that aim to counter rising authoritarianism with Christ’s call to love our neighbors. Organizers emphasize that the original Palm Sunday, as described in the Gospels, was a political event. Palm leaf image by studio2013, courtesy of Pixabay; illustration by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Across US, churches plan Palm Sunday protests

United Methodists are among the Christians helping to organize rallies and processions in at least 13 states that are intended to counter rising authoritarianism and greed with Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, care for the sick and welcome the stranger.

Immigration

What comes next after ‘Faithful Resistance’ march?

After the mountaintop experience of the Feb. 25 rally, we now must do the work in the valley, writes John W. Coleman.

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.

Social Concerns

The Rev. Noé Gabriel López, director of social impact and belonging in the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey conferences, and his wife, Iliana López Matos, who serves as the Cultural Competency Consultant for the conferences’ Bridges program, take part in “Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice” Feb. 25 in Washington, D.C. The Rev. López chartered buses so church members from the conferences could join in the United Methodist-led event. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Sarah Borgstrom Lee.

With DEI dismantled, ministries still work for diversity

Several United Methodist annual conferences have staff members whose job titles call for them to promote multicultural ministries and racial equity. They’re doing this work at a time when DEI policies have been targeted by the Trump administration.

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