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Social Concerns

Church Leadership
Caralyn Ware. Photo courtesy of the author.

When the shepherd strays: Addiction and clergy wellness
The United Methodist Church must act at every level to help pastors in crisis and create space for wellness.
Violence
Hundreds of members of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women march in Gaborone, Botswana, wearing black in solidarity with victims and survivors of gender-based violence. The issue dominated conversations at the group’s Southern and East Africa seminar held April 3-6 in the country’s capital. Photo by Eveline Chikwanah, UM News.

African women speak against gender violence
Over 600 Methodist women from Southern and East Africa marched in solidarity with survivors of gender-based violence and those suffering in silence.
Judicial Council
Council of President Tracy S. Malone (center), who also leads the Indiana Conference, addresses her fellow bishops and those watching on livestream on May 2, final day of the Council of Bishops 2025 spring meeting in Chicago. The bishops released a statement late that day trying to ease concerns about a Judicial Council ruling on same-sex weddings. Sitting beside Malone, from left, are Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., president-designate, and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, secretary. Holston leads the Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama conferences. Photo by Rick Wolcott, Council of Bishops.

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling
United Methodist bishops seek to ease concerns after the denomination’s top court ruled that trustees cannot bar a pastor from officiating at same-sex weddings within church walls.
Human Sexuality
Reinstated clergy members the Revs. Beth Stroud (left), Deen Thompson and Susan Morgan serve communion at a May 1 celebration of full inclusion for LGBTQ persons in The United Methodist Church. The event was at Dallas’ Greenland Hills United Methodist Church. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

‘World shifted’ with full inclusion
Dallas church hosts first anniversary celebration of United Methodist Church lifting restrictions for LGBTQ participation.

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