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 fuel 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.

Faith Stories

Raquel Martínez, editor of “Mil Voces Para Celebrar,” the Spanish United Methodist hymnal, is being remembered for her musical contributions and leadership in The United Methodist Church. She died April 12 at the age of 86. She is pictured at right at the launch of the hymnal in 1996, and at left, at the celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2021. Photos courtesy of the Martínez family; photo composition by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

Remembering Raquel Martínez, editor of Spanish hymnal

With a ministry deeply rooted in music, Martínez helped to communicate the Gospel beyond language barriers. She died April 12 at age 86.

Worship

Grace doesn’t grab: Why consent belongs in worship

If a sanctuary cannot honor a boundary, it cannot credibly preach liberation, writes Dr. Brett McKinley Pardue, artist-theologian in residence at North Raleigh United Methodist Church.

Social Concerns

United Methodists hand over goods to inmates at Harare’s Chikurubi Female Prison. The church, with support from the Isaiah 58 prayer group in Australia, provided gift baskets to expectant mothers and other basic supplies to enhance their welfare. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

Behind prison walls, expectant mothers encounter grace

United Methodists in Zimbabwe live out the command in Matthew 25 to visit, clothe and feed those who are imprisoned.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now