Social Concerns

Racism
Graphic by Ben Ward, photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Atlanta: Connection across difference

The UM News podcast “Signs of Life” returns with the story of two congregations in Atlanta that embarked on a study of a Howard Thurman book. One congregation predominately black and the other white, participants explore together a story of new understanding and relationship.
Social Concerns
This blog appears in the Blogs and Commentaries section of UM News. UM News is a ministry of United Methodist Communications.

Suicide is a public health crisis. How can faith communities respond?

Faith leaders need help in recognizing the signs that a parishioner may be contemplating suicide. To help address this need, the E. Stanley Jones Foundation and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries have developed a free online training course for clergy and lay leaders.
Immigration
Members of MARCHA discuss priorities during their online annual meeting, held July 31-Aug. 1. The caucus replaced its in-person meeting with a virtual gathering due to concerns that members of the Hispanic-Latino community could be detained while traveling under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Advocacy for immigrant communities will remain a priority for the group, members said. Photo composition by the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez, UM News.

Hispanic-Latino caucus reviews mission, structure

MARCHA sets priorities at annual meeting, including reviewing bylaws, strengthening ties with Latin America, advocating for immigrant communities and developing the Elías Galván Endowment Fund.
Social Concerns
Peter Levenstrong, associate rector at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco, speaks during the AI and Church Summit Aug. 24-27 at the Harry Denman Building in Nashville, Tenn. The ecumenical gathering, themed “Human Agency,” featured participants from The Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (USA) and The United Methodist Church. Photo by Chris Law, Discipleship Ministries.

Summit probes the danger and benefits of AI

More than 500 church leaders learned about and debated the merits of artificial intelligence at the AI and Church Summit Aug. 24-27 in Nashville.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Loading

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved