Ministry

In a Nativity scene at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus are depicted being held in a detention center, as a protest of how immigrants are being treated in the United States. “We feel it’s important to depict the parallel of what’s happening in our world with what we understand to have been happening in the biblical story of the birth of Jesus,” said the Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, senior pastor of Oak Lawn. Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

Nativity scenes, art spotlight immigration

Some United Methodist churches are reimagining their annual Christmas Nativity displays to protest the federal government’s raids on suspected undocumented immigrants.

Local Church

Karen Ririe hands a plate to a student during a Thanksgiving Day meal at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. Ririe is the international student coordinator at the college. She also is a member of Oak Park United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, Okla. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Giving international students a taste of Thanksgiving

Coffeyville First United Methodist Church in Kansas offers food and fellowship to college students who can’t travel home for the holidays.

Church Leadership

Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana (second from left), a Global Ministries area liaison for Asia and the Pacific, leads “A Conversation on Power and Decolonization” during the Asia Mission Leaders’ Summit on Oct. 21 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The session focused on leadership, sustainability and decolonizing mission practices. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Asian mission leaders reimagine future together

Global Ministries’ Asia Mission Leaders’ Summit in Cambodia highlights collaboration, empowerment and the Spirit’s call to shared mission.

Social Concerns

Ola Williams sorts through donated produce at the Willow Community Food Pantry in Willow, Alaska. Williams serves as director of the pantry, a ministry of Willow United Methodist Church. 2023 file photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Mission agency, churches work to fill gaps

The United Methodist Church’s mission agency is stepping up with grants to help fill food pantry shelves. Churches also are striving to support those going without pay during the shutdown.

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