Micah 6:8 directs our actions as followers of a just God and a loving Savior. Resources on this page are meant to help the individual and congregations learn better how to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
Racial Justice
The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons. The United Methodist Church recognizes that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history. Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of racial justice at all times and in all places.
— The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016, paragraph 5
Learn more about the conference's anti-racism efforts on pages dedicated to racial justice. You'll find:
The conference's Creation Care Team is a group of laity and clergy representing Nebraska and Kansas under the Mercy and Justice Team. Members of the team are rural and urban, male and female and all have a desire to serve God by caring for God's creation.
Among the team's goals is the concept of educating people about the importance of preserving our environment and how that effort is a justice issue because of the way environmental challenges disproportionately impact the marginalized in our society.
While immigration has become a hot-button issue in the United States, the Great Plains Conference wants to focus on the humanity of the people who come to this country in search of a better life for themselves and/or their children. As disciples, we believe we must show love to all people.
Check out resources regarding immigration on a special page. There you will find:
- Resolutions passed by our annual conference session.
- Statements from Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.
- Facts and figures regarding the United States.
- Links to the Immigrant Legal Center.
- Bible studies.
- Other immigration resources.
More Justice Ministry Efforts
- Health and Wholeness — This ministry focuses on addiction ministries, the abolition of the death penalty, disability awareness, gun violence prevention, and hunger ministries.
- Diversity and Advocacy — The mercy and justice team of the Great Plains Conference is charged with carrying out the responsibilities of several committees mandated by the General Conference and The United Methodist Book of Discipline to monitor diversity and inclusiveness in the church. These include the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the General Commission on Religion and Race, and issues around affirmative action.
- Global AIDS Fund — Learn more about the worldwide effort to stop this epidemic.
Peace with Justice — The Peace with Justice Program aims to make shalom visible and active in people's lives and communities. The General Conference assigned the General Board of Church and Society to implement the program and called the church to "strengthen its capacity to act as a public policy advocate" in communities and nations throughout the world.- Restorative Justice — Jesus called his followers to take salvation to all people in all nations. Throughout the Great Plains, congregations are taking this message of salvation into correctional facilities and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Through Kairos experiences and DISCIPLE Studies, inmates can experience Christ's love and grace.
- Mental Health – Download a list of mental health resources in the Great Plains Conference compiled by the Congregational Excellence team.
The Great Plains United Methodist Micah Corps program is based on Micah 6:8: "Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God."
This summer intern program is designed to give young adults opportunities to:
- Grow in their spiritual walk with God.
- Link faith with social justice action.
- Learn from social justice experts in Nebraska, Kansas and Washington, D.C.
- Strengthen leadership skills.
- Connect with Great Plains United Methodists across Nebraska and Kansas.
