120,000 people fed today by produce drop

Bins of cucumbers were dropped off in front of the Convention Center this morning. The produce drop was sponsored by the Society of St. Andrew. I had the chance to visit with Barbara Lyles who directs the Florida and Georgia gleaning network. She told me about the volunteers who were here before sunrise and how many people will be fed because of their work.


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Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Steve Horswill-Johnston. Photo courtesy of the author.

When the doors were not yet open

It’s been 25 years since the rollout of The United Methodist Church’s brand promise of “Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.” Despite controversy, it remains relevant today.
Human Sexuality
Jan Lawrence addresses Reconciling Ministries Network’s convocation held July 24-27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in downtown Madison, Wis. Lawrence is retiring after serving as Reconciling Ministries Network’s executive director for nearly a decade. Many United Methodists credit her with helping to lead the denomination to a new day. File photo by Joscie Cutchens, UM News.

LGBTQ leader retires after pivotal changes

Jan Lawrence kept United Methodist advocates organized after the denomination strengthened bans against LGBTQ people and helped lead the way toward the longtime bans’ repeal.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Stephanie Vader. Photo courtesy of the author.

Pastor urges halt to troops’ presence in DC

The Rev. Stephanie Vader, a United Methodist pastor in Washington, D.C., raises alarms about the increasing number of National Guard troops in the nation’s capital.

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