Seminar program aims to connect faith and justice
Faith and and our work for justice are integral to each other. The seminar program of Church and Society seeks to help United Methodists make these connections.
As we enter the new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on 2017.
It was a full year for the seminar program at Church and Society. More than 800 people from across the U.S. came to Washington, D.C. to learn about putting our faith into action through seeking justice and pursuing peace.
Jesus stood on the side of the marginalized, the oppressed, the foreigner, the weak, the elderly and children. We, as Christians and United Methodists, must understand the issues that impact these groups and work for justice. The seminar program tackled difficult topics like immigration, human trafficking, poverty, climate change, race relations and interfaith dialogue. Groups heard challenging theological reflections, listened to experts on the issues, and participated in thought-provoking experiential exercises. Each one of the participants moved from learning to advocacy and did so with passion and integrity.
While each seminar might have a different focus, we hope that all participants leave with a greater understanding that faith and justice are integral to each other.
One seminar participant said, “The seminar made me think about how conversations on justice really need biblical context. As Christians, we should think about what God’s desire is for justice. I plan to open my Bible to learn more about how God has carried people through times of social injustice.”
As we enter 2018, I remember that God calls each of us to the work of peace and justice.
Are there issues you see impacting your community? Do you look around and see injustice? Have you thought about ways you can do more to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives and set the oppressed free?
One step on that journey might be coming to Washington, D.C. to participate in a seminar. We’d love to work with you to design a program that fits your local context.
The seminar page on our website has more information on the program. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me, Aimee Hong, the director of the seminar program.
