Social Concerns

A 1961 map shows the location of churches and the borders of episcopal areas within the Central Jurisdiction, which the Methodist Church established to segregate Black members from the wider church. The union that formed The United Methodist Church in 1968 dissolved the Central Jurisdiction. During the Council of Bishops spring meeting in Jacksonville, Fla., bishops explored the legacy of the Central Jurisdiction as denominational leaders consider changes to the geographic jurisdictional system. Image courtesy of Archives and History.

Lessons from past shape jurisdictions’ future

United Methodist bishops learned more about the legacy of the segregated Central Jurisdiction and history of the jurisdictional system, as leaders contemplate possible changes to that system.

Social Concerns

The Rev. Christopher P. Momany. Photo by Kristen Schell.

For every righteous ‘no,’ there must be a holy ‘yes’

Methodism’s Wesleyan-Holiness heritage holds principles that can be applied to today’s struggles around human dignity.

Human Rights

An illustration shows Wesley Chapel, built in 1768 and located in downtown Manhattan. The chapel was the first meeting house of John Street United Methodist Church, the New York City church that grew out of the first Methodist Society in North America and still worships near Wall Street today. The church played a role in balancing civic responsibility in the early days of the U.S. republic and faithfulness to God. Photo courtesy of John Street United Methodist Church.

As US 250th nears, bishops discuss democracy

United Methodist bishops and scholars from around the world examined Christian faith and democracy at the spring Council of Bishops meeting. The discussions came as democracy faces threats around the world.

Violence

The Rev. Joseph M. De Castro is the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Dubai. His congregation of mostly migrant workers and others who live in the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries have been caught in the middle of war. Photo courtesy of the TFUMC Dubai Media Team.

Middle East United Methodists feel brunt of war

Filipino United Methodists who work and worship along the Arabian Peninsula have been caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

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