Photo essay: Vigil for Creation

Photos by Mike DuBose and Paul Jeffrey
April 23, 2024 | CHARLOTTE, N.C. (UM News)

On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation to mark Earth Day and to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. Participants included Thomas Elliott (left), a professor at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, and Candler students Mary Frances Gaston (center) and Emily McGinn. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Grace Rogers from Jacksonville, Fla., a student at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta participates in a candlelight Vigil for Creation on Earth Day, April 22, on the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Wisconsin Annual Conference, who is also president of the board of directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, holds a candle at the Vigil for Creation on April 22 to call the denomination to greater stewardship of creation. His wife, the Rev. Im Hyon Jung, stands beside him. She is an elder in the Wisconsin Conference and director of International Relations, Asia & Global Programs, for the Upper Room/Discipleship Ministries. The service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Climate activists hold a candlelight Vigil for Creation on Earth Day on the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Participants included Dr. Musa Dube, the distinguished professor of New Testament at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

The Rev. Pat Watkins, a leader of the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, reads Scripture during a service marking Earth Day at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte before the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Ragghi Rain Calentine, an Eastern Cherokee storyteller and chair of the United Methodist Native American International Conference, participates in a service at First United Methodist Church of Charlotte on the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

A view of the Shenandoah Valley near Pearisburg, Va., from the Woods Hole Hostel, a popular resting spot for hikers along the Appalachian Trail. On the eve of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., climate activists held a candlelight Vigil for Creation to advocate for greater stewardship of creation. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

The sun sets over the Amazon River near Manaus, Brazil. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

A candle holds hope as activists call on the denomination to greater stewardship of creation ahead of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. A vigil and service took place at the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodist Bishops bless the elements of Holy Communion during a world-wide worship service at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., in the lead-up to the 2024 United Methodist General Conference. From left are Bishops Israel Maestrado Painit of the Philippines, John Wesley Yohanna of Nigeria and Rodolfo A. Juan of the Philippines. The gathering was coordinated by the Love Your Neighbor Coalition and the National Association of Filipino-American United Methodists. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

General Conference photos

UM News has photographers on the plenary floor of General Conference 2024 and at special events and meetings throughout the session. View photos from each day on Flickr.

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Social Concerns

Sarah Metroff (left), marketing manager of investment for Wespath Benefits and Investments, speaks with M. Theresa Basile (middle), co-founder of United Methodists for Kairos Response, and Andy Hendren (right), top executive of Wespath, during September meetings at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Wespath organized the summit to foster dialogue about its investments. Photo courtesy of Wespath Benefits and Investments.

Investment debates underway for 2028

After the clock ran out on the discussion at the 2024 General Conference, debate is already underway regarding how Wespath Benefits and Investments can invest more ethically.

Church Leadership

Participants in the 2025 United Methodist Church Deacons Gathering sing during opening worship at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. From left are the Rev. Shannon Howard, the Rev. Tina Marie Rees, the Rev. Sherry Brady and Candace Brady. A focus of the event was deacons’ new sacramental authority approved at last year’s General Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Deacons explore new sacramental authority

United Methodist deacons are discussing best practices now that General Conference has approved their new responsibility to preside at baptism and communion “when contextually appropriate.”

Violence

An American flag waves at half-staff in 2018 after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Flags are standing at half-staff again after the Sept. 10 assassination of an activist on a university campus. United Methodist bishops are urging members to act as peacemakers to help put an end to the violence. Photo by Bryan Roschetzky, iStock.

After assassination, bishops urge peacemaking

United Methodist bishops see a growing threat of political violence. They are calling churchgoers to pray and act for peace following a school shooting and the killing of activist Charlie Kirk.

General Conference photos

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