Social Concerns

Illinois State Police Lt. Col. Jason Bradley (left) speaks with the Rev. Hannah Kardon, a United Methodist pastor who was among a group of clergy on Oct. 10 asking to bring Holy Communion to detainees in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, near Chicago. The following day another group of clergy also made the same request. Both times Bradley reached out to ICE officials, who denied the clergy entry. Photo by the Rev. Britt Cox, First United Methodist Church in Evanston, Ill.

With warm faith, pastors seek to counter ICE

United Methodists in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are striving to lead courageously by protecting neighbors, sharing their Christian witness and setting the record straight on what’s happening in their cities.

Social Concerns

Young people march through the streets of Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 10 holding signs reading, “Even lemurs want water and electricity,” referring to the popular primates that are native to the country. The message highlights growing frustration among youth over the country’s persistent water and power shortages. Photo by Diary Andrian.

Church responds to crisis in Madagascar

United Methodists are calling for prayer and faithful action as the Indian Ocean nation experiences political and social upheaval.

Social Concerns

Sarah Metroff (left), marketing manager of investment for Wespath Benefits and Investments, speaks with M. Theresa Basile (middle), co-founder of United Methodists for Kairos Response, and Andy Hendren (right), top executive of Wespath, during September meetings at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Wespath organized the summit to foster dialogue about its investments. Photo courtesy of Wespath Benefits and Investments.

Investment debates underway for 2028

After the clock ran out on the discussion at the 2024 General Conference, debate is already underway regarding how Wespath Benefits and Investments can invest more ethically.

Social Concerns

The Rev. Will Ed Green (right), senior pastor of Silver Spring United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., shows part of the church’s facility to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Moore visited the church Feb. 23 as part of efforts to promote affordable housing. Photo by Alison Burdett, Baltimore-Washington Conference.

State gives big boost to church housing plan

Maryland is providing crucial tax credits for Silver Spring United Methodist Church’s $88.2 million affordable-housing initiative. The growing church is among many U.S. congregations repurposing property for good.

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