Justice Takes Courage - Edition #11
Decades ago, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded America of the fierce urgency of the moment: that justice, equality and freedom to thrive could no longer be denied Black Americans while budgets and policies supported massive military buildups and corporate profits at the expense of peacebuilding humanitarian leadership both at home and abroad.
As we journey into 2026, (after witnessing alarming peace and social injustices in 2025), we call upon followers of Jesus, including the people called Methodist all over the world to embrace “The Fierce Urgency of Now” once more.
The Need for A Fierce Urgency of Now in 2026
Less than a week in 2026 was marked as a year of direct international aggression with the United States military attack on Venezuela and the arrest and removal of President Maduro.
In addition, the U.S. threatened the sovereignty of other neighbors in our hemisphere and egregiously announced to take over Greenland from Denmark for U.S. interests in an unlawful and imperialistic political move.
On our domestic front, harms have particularly been thrust upon our most vulnerable and historically marginalized community members. In addition to Presidential Executive Orders attacking transgender rights, as well as 27 state passed laws in 2025 banning gender affirming health care, inserting government authority in a once revered space reserved for parents, youth, and their trusted doctors.
A federally funded suicide prevention hotline dedicated for LGBTQ+ youth was shut down in July 2025, precisely as a climate of stigma and violence has been directed toward transgender youth and adults.
This new year marches on in a nation where the U.S. Government has cut funds to housing assistance for homeless; and reduced cancer research by the billions; has decimated agencies that address environmental protection, food assistance, disaster response, and critical public radio accessibility for rural Americans.
And we have witnessed the attacks on the civil rights of the disability community, reflected in the hollowing out of The Department of Education.
Adding to a yoke of injustice, enter 2026 under the strain of continued violence against our migrant communities, with families being separated and jails and ICE detention centers filled with immigrants that have been law abiding contributors to the welfare of the country.
As I was recently reminded by a friend who is a filmmaker and historian: “We use to be the country that brought people out of hiding, and now we aggressively target people to expel and drive people to hiding.”
The Church must stand on the side of immigrants and those who would advocate for their rights to safety and due process as well as human dignity. What we are witnessing is not unlike the slave catchers who had the law on their side and could invade private places and sanctuary states and demand proof of freedom. Black and Brown People are now under assault along with any person including those who choose to demand respect for themselves or neighbors.
Our nation’s prominence as a leading force for humanitarian aid across the globe to address global health crisis and child poverty has been abandoned for policies and slogans that mention greatness but denigrate inclusion. These hollow slogans point to an unspecified more perfect past and fail to meet the challenge of closing the present-day chasm of economic and opportunity disparity.
There Are Years That Ask Questions and Years That Answer
American writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston once said “There are years that ask questions and years that answer”. 2026 may be either a year that answers, or a year with more questions. Either way, we can rejoice because we know God is faithful and the biblical witness is a reminder that blessings and restoration come after seasons of drought and hardship.
The Reverend Bresean Jenkins, Pastor of Ebenezer UMC Washington D.C., reminded his congregation that in the new year of 2026, setting goals is an opportunity to be good stewards “of the opportunities God places in front of us.” All that is before us, including oppression, social disruption, economic challenges, family celebrations as well as church and societal challenges should drive us to our knees in prayer.
Social Justice Actions Are Part of a Long Methodist Legacy
From the earliest formation of the Methodist movement and subsequent formation of the United Methodist Church, the gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ has been affirmed as both social and personal. Methodism took notice that the need for salvation and social change are both necessary.
When workers could not organize and mandatory fourteen-hour shifts were part of a seven-day work week; when children worked when they should have been in school; when health care was for the wealthy and profit was prioritized over safety and a fair wage - it was at this point that a New Methodist Social Creed was adopted without dissent on May 30, 1908, by the General Conference meeting in Baltimore Maryland.
In this current social and political environment, here are actions we can take now in 2026:
- Renew a commitment to support the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (The World’s most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, 196 countries)
- Support policies and practices that “protect all forms of life and natural ecosystems, while supporting human beings to live and steward a healthy balance with the earth.” (UMC Social Principles)
- Remember our commitment to the recognition that all people are of sacred worth, and our commitment to, “supporting the equal rights, liberties and protections of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
- Embrace our baptismal vows to resist evil and injustice in every form it takes including racism, classism, and neocolonialism tethered to Christian Nationalism that make enemies of our neighbors.
- Pray, organize, educate, and support the Golden Rule to treat and value others as we would desire to be treated.
Be encouraged.
Bishop Julius C. Trimble