We Are the World…

Even when our international colleagues can understand the words, the cultural context is often so dramatically different that it’s hard to explain. Yesterday I sat in on an orientation for female delegates and helped to translate for two women, one from the Ivory Coast, the other from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I had to describe some nuances in the definition of “pornography” in our Book of Discipline. Let’s just say I was using words I don’t often use in English, let alone French. At the end of our session, the leader of our small group announced she was a lesbian and encouraged us to vote in the way of inclusion. The women with me had never met someone who was openly homosexual, let alone a woman who was a federal judge and a faithful member of the Church.

–Lisa Schubert at “Shoe’s Views”

http://lisaschubert.blogspot.com/2012/04/we-are-world.html


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Local Church
Susan Clark. Photo courtesy of the author.

Winter guard meets Wesleyan warmth

St. John’s United Methodist Church in South Carolina opens its doors to out-of-state teen performers at a moment’s notice, showing the United Methodist connection at work.
The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera. Photo by Brian McConkey Photography, courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Viera.

Church must do messy work of restoring community

The world is watching to see if Christians can do what we proclaim and love across the chasms that defeat everyone else, writes the Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera.
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Michael L. Bowie Jr. Photo courtesy of the author.

A clean page for a critical time

Moving into a new year, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is working to meet the urgent needs of Black congregations.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved