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Advocacy & Justice
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THE PEACE WITH JUSTICE PORTFOLIO JULY 2025

Action Alerts
TAKE ACTION: Good Trouble Continues – John Lewis National Day of Action
On July 17, 2025, the day Congressman John Lewis passed five years ago, local and national organizers will continue to advance a cause he championed his entire life —the protection of voting rights.
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TAKE ACTION: IRS Declares Churches Can Endorse Political Candidates Without Tax-exempt Status Penalty
In a July 7, 2025 court filing, The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) declared that Churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates in certain circumstances without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status, despite a decades-old Congressional statute that bans political candidate endorsements.
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See current action alerts

Bible Study Resource
Pages for Progress
The latest Pages for Progress Resource Guide is now available, featuring the book "The Painful Truth about Hunger in America: Why We Must Unlearn Everything We Think We Know—and Start Again” by Mariana Chilton.
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Church and Society Announces 2025 Online Grant Award Process Is Now Open
GBCS is now accepting applications for the 2025 grant funding cycle beginning today, July 31, 2025. The deadline to submit your grant application is August 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
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Official Social Principles Book Now Available for Purchase
Teaming up with The General Board of Church and Society, Cokesbury has completed the editing and production of the official book, Social Principles of The United Methodist Church 2025-2028.
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Church and Society’s Online Store Offers New, Updated Resources
All GBCS content is updated to match current 2025-2028 Social Principles, GBCS advocacy positioning, and cross references from the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline and 2020/2024 Book of Resolutions.
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Month In Review
Church and Society Interns Offer Their Reflections as Summer Internships Close
GBCS Ethnic Young Adult (EYA) Interns Jenna Hopgood, University of Michigan, Kudzaishe Faith Tariro Muchanyerey, Africa University, Tafadzwa Chikawa, Africa University, and Lucas Chung, Boston College, share their Church and Society internship experiences; what they learned; the impact it had; and what they plan to do going forward.
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Our Shared Humanity
“Created in God’s image to live in covenant with God and the world, we honor the dignity of all beings and affirm the goodness of life.” The United Methodist 2025-2028 Social Principles, Preamble
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Important ICE Raids Statement from Bishop Julius Trimble, Church and Society
In the wake of the military escalation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles, CA and in other U.S. Cities, Church and Society General Secretary Bishop Julius C. Trimble urges United Methodist to pray, stand with immigrants, and protest peacefully.
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Advocating for Justice in Healthcare: A Youth-led Response in Zimbabwe
Church and Society Intern Tafadzwa Chikawa, recent graduate of Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, provides his final article in a three part series on social justice concerns in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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Food Insecurity is a Matter of Justice
Church and Society Intern Tafadzwa Chikawa, recent graduate of Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, offers his second article in a three part series on social justice concerns in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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A Faith Based Perspective on Poverty in Zimbabwe
Church and Society welcomes guest writer Tafadzwa Chikawa, recent graduate of Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe and Church and Society Intern working from Zimbabwe. Tafadzwa has agreed to write a series of articles on social justice concerns in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
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The Sign

Join Us in Building a Stronger Community for Justice

Dear GBCS Subscriber,

Thank you for being a part of our community as we work together to impact our shared commitment of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace through our UMC Social Principles. At the General Board of Church and Society, we strive to educate, advocate, and connect individuals who are passionate about seeking social justice and making a difference in the world.

To continue expanding this vital community, we need your support in reaching others who share our commitment to fostering a vision of God’s peace and justice. One way you can contribute is by sharing our newsletter with those in your network.

We’ve included a message below that you can send to friends, family, or colleagues who might want to join us in this important work. Feel free to adjust it as needed to make it your own. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference in 2025 and beyond!

Sample Email

Subject:  A Newsletter for Peace, Justice and Faith

Message:
Hi [Friend’s Name],
I wanted to share an incredible resource with you. The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church provides a newsletter full of insights into social justice issues, inspiring stories, and actionable steps to make a difference in our churches, communities, country and the world. It’s a meaningful way to stay informed and connected to efforts for justice and peace that’s driven by our United Methodist Social Principles.

If you’d like to join this community, you can sign up here:  https://www.umcjustice.org/what-you-can-do/subscribe