Rev. Haley Berg Hansen (’22) is Member of UMC’s General Board of Church and Society (GBCS)
The following is an excerpt of an article from The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), published on November 10, 2025. Click here to read the full article.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 10,2025 — The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church recently convened its Advisory Team for Justice and Peace for a three-day retreat on Capitol Hill, where faith leaders from across the United States gathered to discern, dream, and design the Church’s next steps toward justice-rooted action.
“It is always humbling and encouraging to be reminded that the work of mercy, justice, and peace is actively being practiced and pursued throughout our Connection,” said Advisory Team member Rev. Bích Thy (Betty) Nguyễn of the Mountain Sky Conference. “I hope that what comes next from this retreat is the opportunity to continue the work of deepening the Connection within each Jurisdiction; to contribute to the work of mutual learning, resourcing, and empowering United Methodists to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in the area of justice.”
In 2026, each U.S. jurisdiction will host a Justice and Peace Gathering, inviting clergy and laity alike to:
- Engage in training and dialogue around faith-based advocacy and community organizing,
- Explore how United Methodists can respond to pressing social issues through policy and practice,
- Build networks of collaboration that extend the Church’s witness for justice, peace, and compassion.
“The world needs the witness of a church that doesn’t just talk about justice but practices it — together, in every jurisdiction, as one body” said Bishop Julius Trimble, General Secretary for GBCS. “These events are a call to action — an invitation for United Methodists to reimagine what it means to be a people of justice and peace in this moment in history.”
For more specific information about the 2026, U.S. jurisdiction Justice and Peace Gathering, contact Amber Gaines, Engagement and Development Manager, General Board of Church and Society againes@umcjustice.org
To stay informed about upcoming jurisdictional gatherings and to access training and resources from Church and Society, visit www.umcjustice.org and subscribe to our newsletter.
About the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS)
The General Board of Church and Society is the social justice and public witness agency of The United Methodist Church. GBCS equips people of faith to live out the Church’s Social Principles and engage in faithful advocacy for peace, justice, and liberation.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Corey
Senior Executive Director of Communications
General Board of Church and Society
jcorey@umcjustice.org
202-488-5630