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Faith and Democracy
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In Nation's Capital, Trump's Cuts and Funding Freezes Spur Pastoral-Care Crisis
Churches and ministers in the Washington, D.C., are trying to help hundreds of civil service workers dismissed by the Trump administration, including revising worship liturgies to address the spiritual impact of job loss and fear. Read more
Feb 17, 2025
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Mahmoud Illean
Jerusalem Christian Leaders Denounce Trump’s Plan to Take Over Gaza
Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump announced that “the U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip” to turn it into “the Rivera of the Middle East.” The patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem issued a joint statement Feb. 14 blasting the idea. Read more
Feb 17, 2025
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A Reality Check on the Reach of White Christian Nationalism in 7 Charts
Master statistician Robert P. Jones describes the current state of White Christian Nationalism in the United States. Read more
Feb 17, 2025
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United Methodists Join Lawsuit Challenging Immigration Raids in Houses of Worship
Three annual conferences and the General Commmission on Religion and Race have joined a federal lawsuit challenging the removal of a Homeland Security policy designating houses of worship as protected from immigration raids. Read more
Feb 11, 2025
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Protecting Sacred Spaces: Why the Western North Carolina Conference is Standing Up for Religious Freedom
Western North Carolina Conference explains why it has joined a lawsuit with 26 other Christian denominations and Jewish groups challenging the Trump Administration's rule allowing immigration raids on houses of worship and other sensitive sites. Read more
Feb 13, 2025
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Shutterstock
Christian Congregations Are Standing Up to Cruelty. Why Won’t Politicians?
The Trump team has attacked bishops, Lutheran social service organizations, and other faith communities, including partners of the United Methodist Church, simply for following the gospel's social teachings. Read more
Feb 13, 2025
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Trump Isn’t Defending Religious Communities – He’s Waging War on Them
According to the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president of Interfaith Alliance, the Trump administration is already the most harmful to religious freedom in modern American history. Read more
Feb 13, 2025
UMC Now
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A Refreshed Wesleyan Vision Is Emerging
An author and frequent presenter at United Methodist conferences, the Rev. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote sees the UMC being inspired by a refreshed version of John and Charles Wesley's vision. Read more
Feb 14, 2025
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Worldwide Regionalization and Ratification Webinar Coming
United Methodist annual conferences are voting this year on constitutional amendments that would enact regionalization, giving regions of the UMC greater autonomy to craft their ministerial standards according to their contexts. Read more
Feb 13, 2025
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USAID Freeze Strikes Africa University
At Africa University in Zimbabwe, programs researching malaria and tuberculosis were halted and staffers on those efforts were no longer getting their paychecks after funding from USAID was suspended. The freeze had an immediate $1.2 million impact. Read more
Feb 10, 2025
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Janet Joyner
UWFaith CEO Says 'This Is a Pivotal Moment' for Mission, Advocacy
Sally Vonner, United Women in Faith CEO, says the organization reaffirms "our deep commitment to the guiding values of justice, mercy, and humility" in the face of the unChristian policies coming out of Washington, D.C. Read more
Feb 11, 2025
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Love Without Exceptions
The first historically Black United Methodist church in New Jersey to become a Reconciling Congregation is growing into that identity as it welcomes and affirms LGBTQ+ people in its life and leadership. Read more
Dec 12, 2024
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When God Says 'No:' Discerning Closed Doors and New Directions
Sometimes earnest, strategic congregational discernment can help us surrender a long-held vision or plans that are flawed or futile, and instead embrace a new direction where God wants to lead us to serve our mission and community. Read more
Feb 5, 2025
Featured Articles
Visioning is Discernment Rebranded
Congregational discernment is about listening for God's voice first to find a church's vision for its future in ministry and in that way, aligning its desires with His purposes. Read more
Feb 12, 2025
Happy Black History Month?
Since 1976, February has marked a national celebration of cultures from Africa and the Caribbean, and the important contributions made by Black citizens. However, this year's celebration was muted when President Trump blamed DEI for an airline crash Read more
Feb 13, 2025
Boston Educator Named Perkins School of Theology Dean
Bryan P. Stone, an innovative educator, researcher and bridge-builder, is the new Leighton K. Farrell Dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. He joins SMU from the Boston University School of Theology. Read more
Feb 10, 2025
