UM News Digest - Feb. 12, 2025

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UM News Digest - Feb. 12, 2025

United Methodists join suit against Trump policy
Former inmate goes back to give back
Black history offers inspiration for today

“It’s a biblical mandate for us to welcome the foreigner, to care for them.” — The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, on why United Methodists have joined a lawsuit against a new Homeland Security policy.

Image by Sergei Tokmakov, Esq., courtesy of Pixabay

United Methodists join suit against Trump policy
WASHINGTON (UM News) — United Methodists have joined more than two dozen Christian and Jewish bodies in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The religious groups are seeking a reversal of the Trump administration policy that allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to carry out raids in houses of worship. Heather Hahn reports.

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Read Religion and Race press release

Dakotas Conference
Former inmate goes back to give back
FAULKTON, S.D. — Jess Hansen is uniquely qualified for his prison ministry, because he served almost 19 years behind bars. The member of United Church of Faulkton now heads to the Faulk County Jail on Wednesday nights to minister to its inmates. “The biggest thing that I do is listen,” Hansen said. “These guys have a story and need to talk to somebody who’s not a jailer and not another prisoner. They need to talk to somebody about serious things in life.” Rebecca G. Trefz has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Speaker series offers diverse faith experiences
ATLANTA — TheoEd is engaging people in diverse theological conversations across the U.S. The speaker series, operated by Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, allows Christians of different ages, races, genders and theological backgrounds to share their personal faith and life reflections. In each city, the series partners with a local congregation or a group of faith-based organizations. Laura Buchanan has the story.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Scholarship helps journey toward chaplaincy
WASHINGTON — At 54, Ashlee French is pursuing a master’s degree at United Methodist-related Wesley Theological Seminary to become an ordained deacon and chaplain. She says the E. Craig Brandenburg Scholarship from the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry is helping her follow God’s call.
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UM News includes in the Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not UM News staff.

Florida Conference
Black history offers inspiration for today
LAKELAND, Fla. — Florida Conference Bishop Tom Berlin reflects on the people who joined the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 who were not the well-known speakers that day. Berlin hopes United Methodists can take inspiration “from the ongoing faith and action of people of color,” as people across the United States lose their jobs, see crucial grants cut off and suffer from arbitrary exercises of power.
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Church World Service
Lawsuit filed to save refugee program
SEATTLE — Church World Service, a ministry partner of The United Methodist Church, is party to a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program and a freeze on refugee funding. Nine individuals join Church World Service in the lawsuit, along with HIAS and Lutheran Community Services Northwest.
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Scarritt Bennett Center
Honoring a social justice legacy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In honor of Black History Month, the Scarritt Bennett Center features people who are a part of its legacy of working against racism and for social justice and equity. The Rev. Sondrea Tolbert, Scarritt Bennett executive director, speaks with DeLaris Johnson Risher about her life and time as a student at Scarritt College for Christian Workers. She was one of two Black students who desegregated the college in 1952. Scarritt Bennett is now a retreat center owned by United Women in Faith.
Watch video
UM News: She ‘dared to stand up for women of color’
Learn more about Scarritt’s history

Church and Society
Webinar on nuclear abolition planned
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Church’s position on nuclear weapons will be discussed during a webinar set for 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on Feb. 26. Aimee Hong and Colleen Moore of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society will participate in the program titled “Seek Peace and Pursue It: Advocating for Nuclear Abolition in 2025.” Registration is required.
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