Social Justice Ministry
at St. Mark’s UMC
“Educate, advocate and engage our congregation and community on issues of social justice, using the UMC Social Principles to guide us individually and collectively in serving Christ to transform the world
“Do all the good you can; By all the means you can; In all the ways you can; In all the places you can; To all the people you can; As long as ever you can.” John Wesley
The United Methodist Book of Discipline shares principles that set out the church’s position on social issues. The social principles are categorized into six general sections:
The Natural World
The Nurturing Community
The Social Community
The Economic Community
The Political Community
The World Community
In the Spotlight
Welcoming the Stranger – Celebrating Faith in all its Forms
The St. Mark’s Social Justice Team invites you to join us in celebrating faith in all its forms, our winter focus.
God has created a diverse world of humans who celebrate and show gratitude for his loving gifts in many different ways. Sadly, these differences continue to be the root of conflict and persecution, at home and around the world.
The United Methodist Church “…condemns all overt and covert forms of religious intolerance, being especially sensitive to their express and media stereotyping. We assert the right of all religions and their adherents to freedom from legal, economic and social discrimination” (Social Principles, 162.B)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
Our 24/7 news cycle confirms that fear-fueled hate crimes against faith communities are happening not just around the world, they are happening here at home. Consider the following:
7,100 – number of Christians killed
for faith related reasons in 2015, the most ever in modern history.
197% – growth of anti-Muslim hate groups
in the US between 2015-2016.
38 – the number of attacks on US places of worship in 2018
including churches, synagogues and mosques
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Let’s work together to understand and celebrate faith in all its forms!
We encourage you and your family to get involved with educational, enlightening and fun activities happening right now!
Join
Documentary Screening of
“Beyond Our Differences”
Feb. 9, 16 & 23 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. in Room G/H
The award-winning documentary featuring personal perspectives on expressions of faith from around the world, including interviews with the Dali Lama, Desmond Tutu, kings, queens and world leaders.
Book Discussion
“Beyond Tolerance” by Gustav Niebuhr
March 22 | 9:40 a.m.
At a time when religious conflict and violence seem to dominate the media, distinguished religion journalist Gustav Niebuhr set off across America to find people who are building, not burning, the bridges between faiths.
Support
Visit the Indianapolis based Center for Interfaith Cooperation at centerforinterfaithcooperation.org for a variety of ways to become engaged.
Visit
The Social Justice Connection Table to learn more about Welcoming the Stranger and to join our email list, Friends of Social Justice.