Hate Divides. Love Unites.

'We Will Not Be Silent': A Call to Collective Action Against Injustice
Grounded in Scripture and United Methodist Social Principles

Dear Beloved Community,

Grace and peace to you. We write to you in a time of urgency and moral clarity. Across this nation, we are witnessing a rising tide of injustice: the unjust firings of public servants committed to truth, the arrests, criminalization of marginalized communities, cruel and unjust deportations that tear families apart, and the stripping of life-sustaining budgets from schools, healthcare, and housing. We grieve the resurgence of book bans that silence essential stories, the attacks on civil rights protections hard-won by previous generations, the rollbacks of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitments, and the escalating assaults on our LGBTQIA+ siblings. We also denounce resistance to environmental protections and climate justice that endangers God’s creation and frontline communities.

These actions are not isolated. They are coordinated, deliberate, and deeply dangerous.

They threaten not only individuals and communities, but also the moral fabric of our society and the vision of the beloved community we are called to build.

We say: enough.

As people of faith, moral leaders, and United Methodists committed to our Social Principles and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we refuse to be silent.

Scripture calls us to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8), to “defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:9), and to stand with the marginalized, for “when one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Jesus declared that his mission was “to bring good news to the poor… release to the captives… and let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18). We also affirm that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1), and that stewardship of creation is a sacred responsibility.

Our United Methodist Social Principles affirm:

“We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God.” (¶161)
“We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress, and physical protection.” (¶162)
“We reject laws that discriminate against people because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.” (¶162.F)
“We commit ourselves to the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.” (¶163.G)
“We support freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and access to the arts, literature, and learning.” (¶163)
“We support measures... to ensure the sustainability of life for all God’s creation.” (¶160)

In light of these sacred commitments, we call for a unified and organized response rooted in nonviolent resistance, prophetic truth-telling, and radical solidarity.

We invite you to join us in the following actions:

Teach-ins exposing the harm of unjust firings, book bans, rollbacks, deportations, civil rights violations, and climate inaction in accordance with the Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions.
Host public vigils, prayer walks, and interfaith services to uplift impacted communities and proclaim hope.
Mobilize congregations to contact legislators and show up at school boards and city councils.
Support those facing arrest, deportation, censorship, or public discrimination with legal aid, pastoral care, and public solidarity.
Advocate for inclusive education, environmental justice, civil rights protections, and care for all God’s children.
Connect with missionally aligned coalitions, hubs, and community advocates across race, faith, gender identity, sexuality, class, and geography to protect and expand sacred justice work.

Join the United to Love - "Hate Divides. Love Unites." campaign.

This campaign is a public witness to our shared belief in dignity, justice, and collective liberation. As part of the campaign, we encourage your congregation to boldly proclaim its commitment.

Visit the Advocacy and Action table at Annual Conference to:

Order a church banner or yard sign for your congregation or home.
Sign-up for campaign resources for worship, small groups, and community events.
Join a network of congregations taking faithful stands against injustice in all its forms.

This is a time to act with courage, strategy, and deep faith. We are not powerless. We are not alone. And we will not be divided.

Let us unite not with hatred or despair, but with love fierce enough to disrupt, to protect, and to transform.

We are United to Love because Hate Divides. Love Unites.