This team has the primary purpose of helping local congregations transform the world through ministries of mercy and ministries of justice that address systemic issues. Read more below or use the links in the left navigation to explore our ministries.
Mission, for us, is sharing the love of God in Jesus. This mission, as revealed in the scriptures, always includes God’s mercy (hesed) and justice (mishpat and tsedakah).
In the context of the Mercy and Justice Team’s work to support local churches engaged in transformational ministry, we understand mercy to be helping individuals in need. We define justice as ensuring the human rights and dignity of all, especially the most vulnerable. We affirm that ministries of mercy and justice are at their best when lived out through relationships among equals.
In 2014 when the Mercy and Justice Team formed within the new Great Plains Conference, the team began a discernment process that led to an important insight. We recognized that most of our churches were actively engaged in mercy ministry, but very few were engaged in justice ministry. This realization led us to prioritize our support for justice ministry so that justice might become a defining characteristic of our Great Plains culture. We wrote this commitment into our Vision Plan 2017 to 2021 and highlighted it in bold: “A consistent theme for 2017 and beyond is to bridge the gap between responding to a need and seeking long-term change, in order for justice to become part of the language and DNA of the Great Plains Annual Conference.”
We celebrate how the Holy Spirit has led and blessed this effort over time. We remain committed to building a culture of justice in the Great Plains from 2022 to 2026.
The Great Plains Justice & Mercy team is pleased to introduce our key partners in justice work in our conference. Each of these local non-profit organizations build the power of ordinary people to create community change. You can find United Methodists individuals and congregations involved at all levels of leadership in each of these groups.
The Justice Collaborative is a movement for human rights and dignity growing across the Great Plains. The Collaborative happens everywhere that United Methodists roll up our sleeves to tackle tough, local needs alongside our neighbors.
The vision of the Justice and Mercy team is a Great Plains Conference where justice is as normal as mercy. Our team of 20+ Great Plains UMC clergy and laity meet regularly to bring this vision to fruition. Our team also has many working teams that are open to all who are interested in working for justice.
The Great Plains Interim Justice and Mercy Lead Organizer is Anne Gahn and the Justice Collaborative Contractor is Maddie Johnson.