News, Information, and Resources from WMJM and our Partners.
An Open Letter Regarding Use of Federal Police
As United Methodist followers of Jesus Christ, we condemn the Trump administration’s decision to send federal agents to Portland on the pretense of enforcing “law and order” against “anarchists and agitators.”
Webinar: Growing Into Our Best Or Worst Selves – Spiritual Reflections on our Times
Join Western Methodist Justice Movement in welcoming Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, Bishop Warner Brown, and Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank who will lead us in considering how we respond spiritually to all that is happening in our world right now.
"This Letter Is Late!" A WMJM Confession on Racism
This letter is late!
We should have written it ages ago! More to the point, we should always have been actively involved in the work of creating a different kind of nation…
Native caucus sounds alarm over tribal land dispute
While most people in the United States have been focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision to revoke the reservation status of a Native American tribe’s more than 300 acres in Massachusetts has gone relatively unnoticed, according to the Native American International Caucus of The United Methodist Church.
A Call to Justice in the Time of COVID-19
In an open letter to The United Methodist Church the members of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition call for people of faith to "pick up the mantle of justice and speak out against oppression in all forms but especially the oppression of the most marginalized and at-risk in our world."
WMJM Farmer's Market Produces Fresh Fruit
On November 9 United Methodists from most of the Western Jurisdiction annual conferences as well as a participant from a Central Conference gathered to share some of their hopes and dreams for The United Methodist Church, especially the Western Jurisdiction. The group intended for its work to be shared at the Fresh United Methodism Summit.
WJ Bishops Promise Safe Harbor, Invite All To Sign
Western Jurisdiction United Methodist bishops intend to set aside complaints against clergy accused of being gay or performing LGBTQ+ weddings; urge others to join them.
Connectional Table’s U.S. Regional Conference Legislation Available
The Connectional Table is publishing in English its legislative petition to create a U.S. Regional Conference, as well as a one-page frequently asked questions sheet and a narrative booklet. The materials will soon be available in other languages.
Can We All Now Realize That the United Methodist Church is a Global Church?
Fast as wind goes the speed of developments in The United Methodist Church, exploring the future of our beloved denomination. The Special Session of General Conference in February 2019 has revealed lots of things about who we are (see "Harvest of Thorns"). In August, African delegates and other individuals met at the Desmond Tutu Center in Nairobi, Kenya, in preparation for 2020 General Conference. This gathering revealed a few things that I hope can help us explore what it means to be a global denomination.
Statement on Judicial Council Ruling
The Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church has released its highly anticipated ruling on the constitutionality of the so-called Traditionalist Plan passed by the 2019 Special General Conference. While many of us had hoped that the entire plan would be ruled unconstitutional, the Judicial Council took the middle road of determining that some parts of the plan conformed with our denominational constitution while other parts did not.
LYNC Statement For Commission on the Way Forward
Love Your Neighbor Coalition Statement to the Commission on a Way Forward, Council of Bishops, 2019 General Conference, and all United Methodists
Central Conference and US United Methodists meet to listen
Thirty-seven representatives from the Central Conferences and United States of America met August 24-29 in Portland, Oregon to spend time listening to each other and reflecting on issues of justice affecting their contexts.
The DRC: Reiterating Hope for a Radiant Future
The absence of peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to be a major concern for United Methodists in and outside the country.
Rise Up! Conference Boosts Movement-Building
"There is an empathy deficit in this country," said Bishop Karen Oliveto, as she addressed over 150 attendees from 17 Annual Conferences and 20 ethnicities attending the "Rise Up!" conference sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement held in Portland over Presidents Day weekend.
Commission on Way Forward Meets; Prayers Asked
The Commission on a Way Forward began its work on Sunday, January 22. This initial organizing meeting will continue until Thursday, January 26, 2017.
What's Happening: Standing Rock
On Thanksgiving weekend, November 2016, a delegation of young adults from Los Angeles visited the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota.
Western Jurisdiction Bishops Support Standing Rock Sioux
The following letter was sent to President Barack Obama by the Bishops of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church expressing opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and support for the Standing Rock Sioux Nation
Open Letter on Excessive Use of Force by Police
Less than a week has passed since the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police in Baton Rouge, LA and Falcon Heights, MN. Their deaths have triggered widespread protests as our nation once again faces the horrifying truth that police brutality is real, especially in economically depressed neighborhoods that are largely inhabited by our black and brown sisters and brothers.
WMJM Celebrates First Openly Lesbian Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Karen Oliveto, senior pastor of Glide UMC, has been elected bishop at the Western Jurisdiction Conference meeting in Phoenix Friday, July 15, 2016.