Before Deborah Bass began her chairperson’s address to open the annual meeting of United Methodism’s Black membership caucus last month, she treated her audience to the sound of R&B vocalist Marvin Gaye’s 1971 signature song, “What’s Going On.” She smiled …
Undies for Easter campaign affirms dignity, creates connection
Ahead of Easter each year, Rev. Marilyn Schneider, EPA’s Prison Ministries Coordinator asks Rev. Carmelo Urena, the Head Chaplain of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP), what he needs most. Each year since 2022, except for one year when toiletries …
NEW Matching Challenge! Undies for Easter
People are responding to our Undies for Easter campaign to provide vital undergarments for Philadelphia’s incarcerated individuals. Thank you! We are at approximately 25% of our goal at this time, with 2.5 weeks to go. Step up for our new challenge: a generous …
Called Forward by Black History Month
As we have observed Black History Month, we give thanks for the profound faith, resilience, leadership, and witness of Black communities— within our church and throughout our nation’s history. Black history is not a side note to the story of …
Love That Tells the Truth: Saint Valentine and the Courage of Covenant
Relatives, Before the world wrapped Valentine’s Day in candy and cards, it was a day to remember a human being who walked the path of sacrifice. The truth is layered, as stories often are. There may have been more than …
Public Statement Condemning the Violence, Militarization, and Dehumanization Carried Out by ICE and Border Patrol
GOD said, “What have you done! The voice of your sibling’s blood is calling to me from the ground.” Gen. 4:10 (The Message) January 28, 2026 — As we seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ and in the …
“Saving the Soul of Our Nation, State, and Church”: Faith Forum & Historical Tour offer chance to examine history and stir hope
“If you don’t know history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree,” wrote Michael Crichton. In this 250th year since the founding of our country, we are especially poised …
Faithful Resistance: An Act of Public Witness
The General Board of Church and Society and the General Commission on Religion and Race are participating in an ecumenical and interfaith worship service and march calling for the humane treatment of immigrants. Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice is …
Bringing a God-sized Vision to Life: Help Build Yatosha Deaf School in Tanzania
In Tanzania today, thousands of deaf children live without access to the basic education every child deserves. While the country has made progress in expanding primary and secondary schooling, children with hearing impairments remain among the most underserved and overlooked. In Tanzania, there …
Undies for Easter: An Act of Love
Donate much-needed men’s underwear to Philadelphia prison inmates for Easter. Each inmate arriving into the Philadelphia Prison System is given ONE pair of underwear briefs and no undershirts or socks. Can you imagine life like this? In past years, through …