Category: Voices
God’s work reviving us
![Campfire on a beach](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bishop_blog_TOP.jpg)
Bishop David Alan Bard asks us to rally to the task set before us, making disciples of Jesus Christ so that lives — and the world — can be different.
Wesleyan theology demands that we be antiracist
![Cross and stained glass](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/momany_op-ed_TOP.jpg)
Respecting the value of every single human being was a common theme among many Methodist abolitionists, says Rev. Christopher Momany, and it holds true in antiracism work today.
Navigating conflict and building resilient churches
![Community members standing in a circle](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/calm_blog_TOP.jpg)
In this op-ed, three Michigan Conference laity offer their Calm approach as a practical roadmap for church leaders to pivot after disaffiliation toward a future of renewed vitality.
A community of kindness
![Dandelion spreading seed](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/bishop_blog_TOP.jpg)
Bishop David Alan Bard expresses gratitude for the Christlike kindness he and his family have received following his mother’s death.
Honest love of country
![Fireworks](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/bishop_blog_TOP.jpg)
Bishop David Alan Bard challenges us to see our nation and its history with honest eyes, not only celebrating the things we love but working together to change it for… Continue Reading Honest love of country
A pastoral letter to laity
![Symbols of one's baptism in Christ](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/letter_laity_TOP.jpg)
This pastoral letter from the Connectional Ministries Team Staff offers a prayer of lament along with the names of the local pastors, clergy, and churches within the Michigan Conference leaving… Continue Reading A pastoral letter to laity
Work together to fix the problems
![Fixing tire](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/tire.jpg)
How do we begin to heal our nation’s brokenness? Cheryl Bistayi ponders what might happen if we worked together to find solutions rather than shouting at the problems.
Walking to Emmaus and Annual Conference
![Annual Conference](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bishop_blog_TOP-jpg.webp)
As the Michigan Annual Conference gets closer, Bishop David Bard asks us to hold the gamut of emotions we will experience there and remember to look for Jesus in our… Continue Reading Walking to Emmaus and Annual Conference
Grateful for our union benefits
![Hands in a circle](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/union_benefits_TOP-jpg.webp)
In this op-ed, retired pastor Glenn M. Wagner shares from his four decades of pastoral experience significant benefits of the “United” in our UMC.
Seeing the difference we can make together
![Singing at Advocacy Day rally](https://michiganumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/kim_TOP.png)
Rev. Taek Kim reflects on attending Advocacy Day and how he witnessed God working mightily as United Methodists joined in prayer and action on gun safety advocacy.