Social Issues

The Rev. Rachel Cornwell, wearing glasses at center, joins with the Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol, wearing a clerical collar at left, and other D.C.-area pastors in a time of prayer and protest on Ash Wednesday on Capitol Hill. The gathering was organized by Repairers of the Breach, led by Bishop William J. Barber II, who called on faith leaders to stand together in prayer and moral resistance against injustice. United Methodist churches in the U.S. capital and beyond are doing what they can to help federal workers, contractors and others affected by the cuts and layoffs led by the Trump administration, some of which federal courts have already paused. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Rachel Cornwell, Dumbarton United Methodist Church.

Churches confront mass federal layoffs

Pastoral care, prayer and protests are some of the ways United Methodist congregations are supporting church members and others affected by the Trump administration’s drastic cuts.

Human Rights

United Methodist deaconesses Norma Dollaga (right) and Rubylin Litao talk with Bienvenido and Estrella Nonay in Caloocan, Philippines. The Nonays’ son Bernardo was assassinated in 2018, one of thousands of extrajudicial killings carried out as part of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial "war on drugs." The deaconesses are founders of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, which unites family and friends of victims and advocates in demanding an end to the violence and punishment for those responsible. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

United Methodists react to Duterte arrest

Church leaders and justice advocates in the Philippines say the arrest of the former president is a step toward justice for the thousands who died during his war on drugs.

General Agencies

Members of the United Women in Faith Program Advisory Group celebrate the announcement of Assembly 2026, scheduled for May 15-17, 2026, in Indianapolis. Board and program advisory group members met in person March 6-9 at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tenn., the organization’s first in-person meeting since early 2020. Pictured in the foreground are board member Marilyn Sanchez Reid of the Western Jurisdiction and Vice President Heidi Careaga of the North Central Jurisdiction. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Women’s group plans assembly, calls for justice

United Women in Faith kicked off plans for Assembly 2026 in Indianapolis and heard the call to act now for racial justice.

Mission and Ministry

“Hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits.” Books requested by an inmate have been carefully packaged for shipping by Books to Prisons volunteers in Birmingham, Ala. Photo by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Ministry sends Books to Prisons

Unique ministry promotes literacy and spreads joy, one book at a time.

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