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Immigration
Maria Chavalan Sut prepares a meal for herself in the kitchen at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Va. After three years of living in sanctuary at the church, Chavalan Sut, who fled Guatemala in 2016, received a Stay of Removal for one year that allows her to move freely until her asylum case is heard. Photo © Richard Lord.

Woman in sanctuary relishes new freedom
Maria Chavalan Sut, who lived in sanctuary at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, has been granted a Stay of Removal for one year.
General Agencies
Spring flowers bloom in a farm field near Ashland City, Tenn., in 2020. Agencies of The United Methodist Church are committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a goal announced on Earth Day. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Agencies set greenhouse gas emissions goal
Most United Methodist general agencies are committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a goal announced on Earth Day.
Racism
A person reacts outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis after the guilty verdict handed down April 20 in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. While expressing the sense that the verdict was just, United Methodist leaders urged continuing work toward dismantling widespread racism and systemic injustice against people of color. Photo by Carlos Barria, Reuters.

United Methodists react to Chauvin verdict
Church leaders praised the justice of the verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, but cautioned that much work lies ahead to overcome systemic racism.
General Church
The Discipleship Ministries office in Nashville, Tenn., is being renovated to be better equipped for use post-COVID-19. Although the staff is primarily working at home, the building is being used for small staff meetings as well as a daily prayer broadcast from the Upper Room Chapel. The 13 agencies of The United Methodist Church are facing budget cutbacks among uncertainty around a potential schism. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

General agencies cutting back
Faced with an ongoing pandemic and denominational uncertainty, United Methodist general agencies are reducing staff while trying to stay true to their missions.

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General Church
Global Mission Fellow Bellarmee Milosi gives a tutoring session for children in Tramo, Philippines, as part of the Kapatiran-Kaunlaran Foundation Inc. With the current budget constraints, expansion of this successful young adult ministry is unlikely. 2018 file photo courtesy of Global Ministries.

Church agencies cope with new realities

The changing landscape caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty over the denomination’s future has created challenges for United Methodist agencies.
Social Concerns
United Methodist deaconess Cindy Johnson (right) walks to buy medicine with Isabél who traveled with her daughter from Nicaragua to Matamoros, Mexico, hoping to request asylum in the U.S. Kassandra, 16 months, was suffering from fever and weight loss while she and her mother waited for their turn to approach the bridge leading to Brownsville, Texas. Johnson, who makes regular visits to the makeshift camp, brought members of the United Methodist Immigration Task Force for a firsthand look at the immigration situation. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

United Methodists respond to migrants at the border

The United Methodist Immigration Task Force saw United Methodists in action caring for migrants from around the world seeking asylum at border towns in Texas.
Mission and Ministry
Children share their one daily meal at the United Methodist orphanage in Goma, Congo, in 2015. United Methodists joined other faith groups at the United Nations during a symposium to explore how best to support the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals for improving human lives. File photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Investing in people on global scale

United Methodists join other faith groups at the United Nations to discuss financial support of global goals to improve lives.
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