Jean Tshomba, coordinator of UMCOR's disaster management office in East Congo, delivers food and other relief items to a woman displaced by war. According to data provided by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 521,000 people, mainly women and children, are living with host families or in sites for displaced persons in the region. (Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.)
To The Beloved People of The United Methodist Church,
We write to you at a moment when our world is confronted by profound suffering, deep division, and urgent calls for justice and compassion. We do so with humility, aware of the fragility of some of our communities and the diversity of perspectives within our beloved connection.
We also write with a relentless hope grounded in Christ’s resurrection. As Easter people, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, to love boldly, to serve joyfully, and to lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.
The United Methodist Church stands unwavering in its commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We affirm, as our Book of Discipline and Social Principles declare, that every person is of sacred worth, deserving of justice, dignity, and protection, regardless of nationality, race, gender, or identity. Our calling as United Methodists is to love as Christ loved, to serve as Christ served, and to lead as Christ led-resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.
During our recent meeting, the Council of Bishops engaged in reflective conversations and offers four pastoral letters for your prayerful dialogue, discernment and witness:
- A Call for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo: We grieve the violence and humanitarian crisis in Congo, standing with our siblings in their plea for peace and restoration.
- A Plea for Ceasefire and Justice in Palestine and Israel: We lament the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis, urging an immediate ceasefire, the protection of all civilians, and a just peace rooted in dignity for all.
- A Call to Reject Violence Against Transgender Persons: We denounce all forms of violence and discrimination against transgender people, affirming their sacred worth and calling the church to deeper compassion and understanding.
- A Stand Against the Dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies: We reject efforts to erase the progress made toward justice and inclusion, affirming that every person’s story and history are valuable and matter to God and to us all.
Christians for Ceasefire
The Rev. Larry Clark, a United Methodist pastor from Toledo, Ohio (far left), participates as a delegation of U.S. Christians holds an Aug. 18, 2024, prayer vigil at the Kerem Shalom crossing on the border between Israel and Gaza. The group came to the Middle East to accompany threatened Christians and other Palestinians and call for a ceasefire in Gaza. (Photo by Paul Jeffrey/UM News)
Each letter is rooted in our Wesleyan tradition, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and inviting us to live out our baptismal vows: to resist evil, to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
We know that statements alone do not change hearts-stories do. We encourage you to listen, to share, and to bear witness to the stories of those most affected by violence, injustice, and exclusion.
We acknowledge that these letters may challenge, comfort, or unsettle you. Yet, as a worldwide church, we are called to holy conversation - to wrestle together, to learn from one another, and to seek the Spirit’s guidance in community. The common thread through all these letters is God’s unwavering love for humanity and the sacred dignity of every person.
Let us journey together as disciples-loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously. May we be a church that listens deeply, acts justly, and grows in grace….moving towards God’s vision for Beloved Community.
With gratitude and hope,
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, President, Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church
Click below to read the four letters:
A Call for Peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A Plea for Ceasefire and Justice in Palestine and Israel
A Call to Reject Violence Against Transgender Persons
A Stand Against the Dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies