UMKR and MFSA September Webinar: Making History

MAKING HISTORY
The United Methodist Church General Conference of 2024

Groundbreaking legislation for Palestine...historic changes in the UMC... What was accomplished? What does it mean for our church and the world? And what comes next?

Wednesday, September 11, 2024
8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific (US, Canada)

This year, the world saw the first decision by a Christian denomination to divest from the bonds of the State of Israel. That landmark action was one of a half dozen prophetic resolutions supporting the Palestinian struggle, all adopted by the United Methodist Church's General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina in May. Indeed, Palestine seemed to become a theme at the international gathering, including two public actions covered by the media, and several statements and prayers from the main stage.

But the biggest global news story from GC 2024 was unquestionably the remarkable changes in church law regarding our LGBTQ siblings, including the reversal of decades-long policies on same-gender marriage, the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, and more.

Join UMKR and MFSA to hear from leading justice advocates about what was accomplished at this unforgettable General Conference, what impact these decisions can have in the church and in the world, and what comes next for our movements.

New Resources Available for the Revised Social Principles
as Adopted by General Conference in 2024

The General Board of Church and Society has refreshed its online resources in support of the United Methodist Social Principles as approved by General Conference Charlotte, 2024.

The Social Principles as adopted by General Conference Charlotte, 2024, will officially take effect January 1, 2025. Cokesbury, the United Methodist publishing house will print the updated, official UMC Social Principles booklet in 2025.

Given the numerous requests for information and study materials on United Methodist Social Principles, Church and Society’s online content offers resources for immediate use. In 2025, Church and Society also plans to produce more Social Principles resources including social witness video reels from multiple countries, youth curricula, and additional material translations.

The Refreshed Social Principles webpage contains great resources:

• Social Principles Background and History Page Summaries
• Social Principles Booklet and Translations
• Social Principles Mission and Ministry Cards

Sacred Votes: A Guide to Election Participation, Justice, and Social Transformation

As we approach this critical election season, the importance of civic and voter engagement cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the polls have the power to shape our communities, influence justice, and transform society. As people of faith, our responsibility to participate in the democratic process is deeply intertwined with our call to love our neighbors and seek the common good.
 
Given the seriousness of this election, we encourage you to be on the lookout for an upcoming resource coming from the General Board of Church and Society: "Sacred Votes: A Guide to Election Participation, Justice, and Social Transformation."
 
This comprehensive toolkit has been thoughtfully compiled by The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, The Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. It is designed to equip us with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in the electoral process faithfully and effectively.
 
The toolkit will be released in early September, and we will host a webinar on September 5, 2024 at 12 PM ET, 9 AM PT, to discuss its use and address any questions you may have.
  
Let's come together as a community of faith, well-informed and empowered, ready to take action that reflects our commitment to justice and the teachings of Christ. Watch for this valuable resource, and let's make our voices heard this election season.

National Farm Worker Ministry Just and Humane Immigration

We know farm workers are essential and the backbone of our food system. We know farm workers are human beings who are not disposable. We also know that around half (likely more) of our nation’s farm workers are undocumented. Yet, our government continues to refuse to do the right thing and offer a reasonable path to citizenship for these essential workers. 

Undocumented immigrants are integral to the U.S. economy and society. They are friends, neighbors, family, community members, and more who have lived and worked in the U.S. for years or decades. They deserve better. Show your solidarity by signing NFWM’s petition telling Congress to create just and humane immigration reform. 

Welcome our Communications Coordinator, Cameron Helwege

We are excited to welcome Cameron Helwege (he/him/his) as the Communications Coordinator for the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA). He is also the Creative Director at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. With over two decades of experience in communications and media production at different levels within the United Methodist Church and beyond, Cameron has played a pivotal role in various church and nonprofit settings, focusing on creative work that fosters inclusivity and dialogue. Cameron is driven by an innate curiosity and a passion for understanding how things work. As an Enneagram 5w4, Cameron is known for his thoughtful, introspective approach, often found working quietly behind the scenes. He is deeply passionate about social justice, inclusion, and healing from church trauma.

Stand with ICAN: No Money for Nuclear Weapons

This September 16 to 22, 2024, join people from around the globe in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) with one powerful message: “No Money for Nuclear Weapons!”

Why is this important? Nuclear weapons programs siphon critical public funds away from essential services like health care, education, and disaster relief. The staggering truth is that nuclear-armed countries are spending more than $173,000 every minute on their nuclear arsenals—that’s over $90 billion each year. Meanwhile, the corporations behind these weapons and their investors are raking in billions in profits.

This campaign is a call to action for all of us to advocate for a shift in priorities. Instead of funding weapons of mass destruction, these resources should be redirected to build a more just and peaceful world. Let’s raise our voices and demand a change.

Fossil Fuels and Climate: Counting the Cost

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?”   Luke 14:28

When Jesus spoke these words, he was using the scenario of building a tower to illustrate the cost of discipleship. He was warning the people that discipleship is costly, not easy or cheap. In addition to this spiritual teaching, Jesus’ words also point to the practical wisdom of being realistic about the direction we take in our lives and the projects we take on.

Let’s be realistic here, first about climate change and then about what it will take to limit harm. Climate change has advanced so far...

From UMCDMC - All of Us are Worthy of Access to the Chancel

Kati Glover, West Ohio Conference

I grew up in a United Methodist congregation, and I grew up a wheelchair user. Singing in the children’s choir was a staple for a church kid in the 1990’s, and I was no exception. I loved singing in the choir, except when we performed in the worship service and I could not stay in my wheelchair because our chancel was not accessible. My mom would have to lift me from my wheelchair and seat me in an ordinary chair on the chancel.

When I was about 10 years old, our sanctuary had a fire and needed to be gutted and rebuilt. My church took the opportunity to add ramp access to the chancel. Exciting … until you realize that the ramp was positioned way off the side behind the organ, and the contemporary worship band stored their instruments and equipment right where the ramp exited onto the stage. But we had a ramp, and I used it until...