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.

The Western Methodist Justice Movement has been a supporter of the Christmas Covenant legislation since its inception in December 2019. If passed, it transforms central conferences into regional conferences and creates a U.S. regional conference that would allow these regions to design ministry for their particular missional contexts.

The United Methodist Africa Forum (UMAF) is organizing an inaugural gathering this April 21-23, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa. UMAF is gathering United Methodists from across Africa dedicated to promoting unity and the future of the UMC in Africa.

Participants engaged in focused conversations, worship and Bible study together to deepen the understanding and relationships with one another. It became a time, not only of sharing, but also deep intentional listening where participants engaged with one another in a world-wide conversation lifting issues and concerns related to various contexts, especially those facing The United Methodist Church outside of the United States.

Michael Yoshii gives an update on a trip organized and sponsored by Eyewitness Palestine highlighting  “environmental justice.”

Keeping its vision centered on justice, the Western Methodist Justice Movement has been working in the last several years to support collaborative ways for laity and clergy to work together to do mission and ministry, especially intersectional justice, across the jurisdiction.
As the call was made for the 2022 Jurisdictional conference and the election of bishops, WMJM looked for ways to keep justice in the conversation in collaborative ways.

“Reconnecting for Justice” was the theme of a half-day event hosted by Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM) on November 1, 2022, one day before the 2022 Western Jurisdictional Conference meeting began.

The Sojourners report is the most complete accounting to date of how Christian Nationalism contributed to the events leading up to January 6 and the day of the attack itself. It deals with how Christian Nationalism often overlaps with and provides cover for white supremacy and racial subjugation, especially in a way that limits the rights of others.

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.

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.

WMJM will host the web event “Seeing Episcopal Discernment Though a Social Justice Lens” on Sunday Afternoon, July 31.

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)

On Friday, December 17th, State Department official John Robbins made a visit to the Palestinian village of Wadi Foquin in response to advocacy efforts led by Friends of Wadi Foquin.

WMJM Chair Jan Nelson looks back at how this justice movement got started. And where it might go.

Small groups gathered for informal conversation and reported back on the key issues raised in the discussion. This gathering allowed a wider set of voices to participate in the conversation and provided space for the Holy Spirit to enter into the conversation.