The Bishops of the United Methodist Church had their spiring meeting in Chicago recently where they, in collaboration with the Connectional Table, developed and released the denomination’s new “Vision Statement.” It is the result of a multi-year process of discernment to capture these kernels of truth rooted in scripture and lead the United Methodist Church forward into a hope-filled future. United Methodists are called to “embody this vision as we
Grow and form disciples
Develop Christ-like leaders
Stand in solidarity with the poor and the most vulnerable
Seek health and wholeness for all people and creation.
We will continue to hear more about this vision and how we as United Methodists can fully live into these statements.
By divine intervention, this Sunday we will focus on LOVE- the vision calls us to LOVE boldly and the sermon series reminds us of our freedom to LOVE!
It is in that LOVE and in ‘standing with solidarity with the vulnerable’ I also bring to our attention Illinois’ budget! As COURAGEOUS leaders and faithful residents, we need to make sure our legislators hear our voices and do what we need for the community to thrive. Will Illinois slash funding for healthcare, housing, education, transit, and violence prevention OR will our state lawmakers take action to do the right thing? That is a big question!
Join ONE Northside in asking our legislators to fund violence prevention and the Parent Mentor program, invest in affordable housing, and fund healthcare access for undocumented adults. All these programs are currently on the chopping block and will suffer even more if the proposed federal budget passes this year. You can email your legislator by using this link.
You can also join ONE Northside for their Springfield Advocacy Day on May 22nd, 2025. Please sign-up here to reserve your spot on the bus. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and more details will be emailed to those who register. Training on advocacy with state legislators will also be given a couple days before the trip.
Beloveds, in the scripture reading for this Sunday, Jesus tells his disciples that he's giving them a new commandment: that they LOVE one another, that people will know they are followers of Jesus if they LOVE one another. For Jesus, love isn't simply about feeling warm feelings toward each other, it is more about the act of caring for one another. How do we love our neighbors? At the base level, we fight for them to have what they need not just to survive, but to flourish. One way to love our neighbors today is to support a state budget that reflects our values as people of faith.
May God bless you as you do so, and may you be a blessing to all you meet. I look forward to seeing you at church.
