Church History

Immigration
The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. While disappointed in recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings related to immigration and birthright citizenship, United Methodist leaders remain committed to upholding the denomination’s teachings to welcome all people as children of God. File photo by Clayton Childers, United Methodist Board of Church and Society.

US Supreme Court rulings challenge church

United Methodist leaders urge fellow church members to speak out for biblical teachings and care for immigrants even in the face of adverse court actions.
Church History
The history of Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Tenn., goes back almost 200 years. Pickett Chapel is believed to be the oldest African American church building in the state of Tennessee. Photo from video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Historic church tells story of slavery, triumph

Pickett Chapel has served both Black and white congregations over nearly 200 years. The fingerprints of enslaved people who built this church can still be seen today.
Human Sexuality
Jan Lawrence (left), head of Reconciling Ministries Network, and Ashley Boggan D., top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History, hold up a Reconciling Congregations quilt during the Oct. 23 inauguration of The United Methodist Church’s new LGBTQ+ United Methodist Heritage Center in Madison, N.J. Photo by Crystal Caviness, courtesy of the Commission on Archives and History Facebook page.

New LGBTQ+ Heritage Center helps church remember

The United Methodist center’s opening described as “a call to us today and in the future to build a church where all people are seen, heard and valued.”
Social Concerns
Since the Church’s inception, Methodists have been actively involved in social and political matters in order to build a more peaceful and just world. Graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Is The United Methodist Church involved in politics?

Can United Methodists be politically active? The Social Principles offer guidance about the interaction of church and politics.

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