Alka's Angle

As you know I am in Philippines for a meeting of the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) where among other things we visited a few ministries that are related to the United Methodist Church. One of them is Kapatiran (brotherhood) -Kaunlaran (improvement) Foundation Inc. (KKFI), which was founded as a response to the challenge to work among and with the poor in their struggle for genuine human development. For the past 72 years, the KKFI has been at the forefront of the struggle for social transformation.

This week, the Illinois Supreme Court issued their decision of the Pretrial Fairness Act being constitutional, and directing courts across the state to implement the law and end the use of money bond on September 18, 2023. The Pretrial Fairness Act was signed into law in February 2021. You can read more about the Pretrial Fairness Act. 

As you may have noticed we are in a 6 week sermon series on the “Social Principles” of the United Methodist Church. We often hear that because of the separation between church and state church should not get involved in political matters, and while we as United Methodists affirm that separation, but Methodists have also been actively involved in social and political matters since their founding in 18th century England.

This week marks the completion of 8 years of my ministry at Broadway UMC. I am very grateful for all the experiences I have had here, and all the ways you have blessed me. You are all wonderful people and I am indebted to each one of you for the freedom you have given me to show up in spaces of justice, to participate in protests and marches, and to see the scripture with the eyes of marginalized people. I have learned and grown a lot with you all in these 8 years. Thank you for always loving me and my family! I also want to share with you a few more joyful events-

We had a wonderful time of food and fellowship at Broadway’s “Worship in the Yard” last Sunday. Jon prepared an amazing spread and there were about 30 people to enjoy the meal. And even though Chuck could not be with us, we manifested his spirit of welcome by inviting several guests who were passing by. The weather was beautiful also. Grateful to all who helped, participated and celebrated with us.