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Immigration
In a Nativity scene at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus are depicted being held in a detention center, as a protest of how immigrants are being treated in the United States. “We feel it’s important to depict the parallel of what’s happening in our world with what we understand to have been happening in the biblical story of the birth of Jesus,” said the Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, senior pastor of Oak Lawn. Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

Nativity scenes, art spotlight immigration
Some United Methodist churches are reimagining their annual Christmas Nativity displays to protest the federal government’s raids on suspected undocumented immigrants.
Evangelism
The Rev. Joe Graves (left) baptizes a baby Sept. 21 at Cityview Church. The rest of the McKinley family also were baptized during the service. Graves helped launch Cityview, a merger between his 2017 church start Central City Church and the more traditional St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. He’s also written a book on church planting, a priority of the East and West Ohio conferences. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

Ohio United Methodists aim to plant 100 churches
Starting new expressions of church is a priority in The United Methodist Church’s Ohio conferences, which plan to launch 100 new faith communities by 2029.
Faith Stories
The Rev. Mark Salvacion (right center), pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Bryn Mawr, Pa., holds the hands of Ahmad Abdel-Hamid, president of As-Salaam Islamic Society, after a fellowship feast March 15 at the church, during the holy month of Ramadan. Photo by John W. Coleman, UM News.

Church embraces its Muslim tenants as neighbors
St. Luke United Methodist Church is sharing its space with the As-Salaam Islamic Society to host weekend prayer gatherings, Sunday school classes and fellowship events.
Faith Stories
Lindsey Dye pauses to wipe away Laura Smotherman’s tears as the couple renew their wedding vows during a service for three gay couples June 8 at Edgehill United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Officiating is the Rev. Eric Mayle, Edgehill’s senior pastor. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Wedding ban gone, church honors 3 gay couples
Edgehill United Methodist Church held a vow-renewal service for three couples previously unable to wed in their church home under denominational restrictions that ended last year.

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