By Rev. Duane Carlisle, Board Member
From March 16-19, the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) gathered in Los Angeles, CA, for our spring board meeting. As we engaged in our work of advancing peace, justice, and human rights, we were welcomed with deep hospitality by Faith United Methodist Church in Torrance, CA, and its pastor, Rev. Allison Mark, who also serves as our Board Chairperson. I am profoundly grateful to Rev. Mark and the entire Faith UMC community for their generosity and care during our time together.
We began our time in Los Angeles by honoring the indigenous peoples on whose land we stood, offering this statement:
“We give homage to the Tongva people, the traditional caretakers of this land, Tovaangar (the Los Angeles Basin and southern Channel Islands). We mourn the violent displacement and disenfranchisement of those who inhabited and stewarded this land for generations. We pay our respect to the Tongva people, past and present, and their connection to this place. May our work continue to resist colonialism through acts of repentance, reconciliation, and justice.”
Our meeting was a time to reaffirm the commitments of The United Methodist Church to social justice, as articulated in the 2020/2024 Social Principles and Book of Resolutions. We discussed ways to equip and mobilize the Church to lead on justice issues and to ensure that our advocacy remains deeply rooted in our faith. Over four days, we worshiped together, strengthened relationships, gathered in subcommittees, and engaged in visioning sessions. But beyond our internal discussions, we stepped outside the meeting room to witness the challenges facing communities in Los Angeles and the ways United Methodists and their partners are responding with justice and compassion.
One of the most impactful moments of our time together was a panel discussion with residents of Altadena, one of the communities most devastated by the January wildfires. We heard firsthand accounts of loss—not just of homes, businesses, and church buildings but of the community itself. Many families, unable to afford rebuilding, have been permanently displaced. Altadena UMC, one of two United Methodist churches lost to the fires, was more than a place of worship—it was a center of connection for a diverse, working-class community. The heartbreak of these losses was palpable as we later visited the neighborhood and saw the extent of the destruction.
Amidst the loss, we also witnessed the strength of the Methodist connection. Surrounding United Methodist congregations have come together to support Altadena UMC, offering their worship spaces so the congregation can continue gathering as they wait to rebuild. This outpouring of hospitality and solidarity is a testament to the resilience of the Church and the power of community. It was deeply moving to see how the body of Christ is making a way forward in the face of devastation.
Our journey continued with a visit to Baldwin Park UMC, one of several Welcome Centers for migrants in the California-Pacific Annual Conference. Pastors Toña and Rafael Rios shared powerful stories of hospitality and accompaniment, reminding us that the call to welcome the stranger is at the heart of the gospel.
We then traveled to Altadena UMC, where we were greeted by Rev. Andre Wilson and Heather Wilson. This church, along with Pacific Palisades UMC, lost its entire building to the fires, along with the homes of both pastors and many congregants. Yet even in their loss, they remain committed to rebuilding their ministry and their community.
Our final stop took us to Old Los Angeles Plaza and La Plaza UMC, home of the Museum of Social Justice. Located in the church’s lower level, the museum tells the often-overlooked stories of the diverse people who have shaped Los Angeles. As we gathered for dinner at the historic Pico House, we heard from faith leaders at Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles (CLUE L.A.). Domenica Castillo, Rev. Frank Wulf, and Rev. Jennifer Gutierrez spoke passionately about their work to support low-wage workers and advocate for economic justice.
My visit to Los Angeles came full circle on the following Sunday as I worshiped at Hollywood UMC. Near the end of an inspiring worship hour, Rev. Hannah Bonner, senior pastor of Hollywood UMC, called up the lay leaders of Hollywood UMC and Altadena UMC. Aviana Springs of Altadena and Ruth Williamson of Hollywood joined hands as they walked up the aisle to the chancel. Then Aviana called a row of young people forward and she introduced Altadena’s confirmation class which would be meeting in Hollywood for their confirmation journey. It was such a beautiful example of our Methodist connection at work and God’s grace in the midst of challenges.
Throughout our time in Los Angeles, I was reminded that justice work is not abstract—it is lived out in communities, among people striving for dignity and hope. This board meeting was not just about policies or resolutions; it was about seeing where God is at work in the world and discerning how we, as the Church, can join in. As we left, we carried with us the stories of those we met, the challenges they face, and the sacred call to act in love and justice.
May we continue to be faithful to this work, knowing that God’s grace is ever calling us forward—for the transformation of the world.
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