News, Information, and Resources from WMJM and our Partners.
Constitutional Amendments and the UMC
On October 16, 2024, WMJM presented a webinar on the constitutional amendments for The United Methodist Church.
A panel of Agency Representatives, and content specialists discussed where The United Methodist Church goes next on the constitutional amendments passed at the 2020 (a.k.a. 2024) General Conference session.
What’s next for Constitutional Amendments?
To help you, your church, and your conference prepare, WMJM is hosting a web event to help people understand the voting process, who can vote on ratification, how the votes are counted, how this conversation is happening around the globe, and how you can have an impact, even if you are not a voting member of your annual conference.
WMJM Gathers at Western Jurisdictional Conference
WMJM gathered together in Spokane Washington before the Western Jurisdictional Conference. You can now view videos of the day’s programming.
New Voices Speak Out for Africa
Since its inception, UMAF has expressed its position that African United Methodist Churches should stay as part of a Unified United Methodist Church.
A Call to Our Church in a Time of Moral Reckoning: UMKR Responds to the War in Palestine/Israel
United Methodists in UMKR, like so many throughout our church, are weeping for the people of the Holy Land. We decry the indiscriminate attacks on all civilians, both Israelis and Palestinians. We mourn with those who are grieving for the dead, we suffer for those who are injured, starving, or living in fear today, and we seek the safe release of all the political captives held by both the state of Israel and Hamas.
Responding to Christian Nationalism
Christian Nationalism is a troubling ideology that seeks to merge Christian and American identities. It distorts both the Christian faith and America’s constitutional democracy.
Save January 20, 2024, and register now for a conversation on Christian Nationalism.
WMJM Report on UM Africa Forum
Guests from Western Methodist Justice Movement and other groups share their reflections on attending the United Methodist Africa Forum meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa in April of 2023.
Called to Transform the World
The social witness of the United Methodist Church is a vital part of our calling and mission of transforming the world. We cannot afford to see that witness weakened or neglected, when more than ever our world urgently needs to hear a faith-filled voice for justice and compassion.
An important part of that witness are the legislative resolutions adopted by our church bodies.
Looking at inclusion from a global perspective
In his “Bar of the Conference” podcast, United Methodist campus minister Derrick Scott III talks to the Rev. Israel Alvaran, a United Methodist elder in the Philippines who now works with the advocacy group Reconciling Ministries Network. Alvaran talks about his faith journey, the state of the church in the Philippines and his hopes for regionalization.
WMJM Host updates on Africa Forum and Christmas Covenant
WMJM Hosted two web in March to provide updates about the upcoming United Methodist Africa Forum and the Christmas Covenant Legislation on reducing colonialism being proposed to General Conference. Both sessions had presentations about the April gathering of African church leaders to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa and about the intent of the legislation which has been written and shepherded by a group of central conference representatives.
A Pastoral Letter on Gun Violence in America
As gun violence continues to threaten life and lively hood across the United States, the Western Methodist Justice Movement offers this pastoral letter to our community.
Now is the time for us to speak out and stand up for gun violence prevention, and for the ability to live safely in our neighborhoods.
WMJM Denounces Ruling on Reproductive Justice
The Western Methodist Justice Movement denounces Dobbs v. Jackson, the recent Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. We affirm the sacred worth of those who are or may become pregnant and believe that all people have a right to privacy in medical care and treatment.
Seeing Episcopal Discernment through a Social Justice Lens
WMJM will host the web event “Seeing Episcopal Discernment Though a Social Justice Lens” on Sunday Afternoon, July 31.
WMJM Stands with Central Conference Voices to Decry Vote Manipulation
Leadership of the Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM) stand with Central Conference Bishops and other Central Conference voices in decrying the attempt by the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) and other conservative organizations to manipulate the processes of General Conference by offering to expedite vaccines for voting delegates from outside the United States. ( Photo by Arek Socha, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News)
From the WMJM Chair: Time to Get Organized!
WMJM Chair Jan Nelson looks back at how this justice movement got started. And where it might go.
Webinar: The Ongoing Palestinian Nakba ("catastrophe")
In June, Friends of Wadi Foquin presented a webinar on current land confiscation in the West Bank village of Wadi Foquin for the construction of a new segregated road that will serve the illegal Israeli settlements and expand Israel’s apartheid infrastructure.
Did you Miss It? Decolonizing the Church: True Regionalization for the UMC
On June 5 WMJM hosted this webinar to highlight information about the Christmas Covenant proposal and the church's history of being a colonial power. Presenters shared about impacts of colonization in the Philippines, Africa, and Europe. Along with information about how the Christmas Covenant, a plan originating out of UMC Central Conferences, changes this point of view in UMC structures.
Follow-up on Funding for Episcoapal Leadership
Thank you to those who were able to attend the February 13 presentation by the GFCA on the election of Bishops. You may find linked here important documents from the gathering
Neocolonial Manipulations by Good News and WCA Are Resurfacing
American exceptionalism plays a crucial role for United Methodist traditionalists in defining their worldview and reaction to situations in the global church. They have difficulty admitting failure with humility; instead, they have a tendency to blame and break the institution, burn the house and point to everyone else but themselves as the problem. Sadly, this evil persists today in our denomination.