Across The United Methodist Church, Church and Society Chairs, Peace With Justice Coordinators, and Caretakers of God’s Creation help communities put faith into action, connecting the Church’s social witness with the realities facing their communities, equipping United Methodists to advocate for justice, pursue peace, care for creation and live more fully into the call to love our neighbors.
As several of these leaders transition out of their roles, the General Board of Church and Society celebrates their faithful service and the many ways they have strengthened our connection.
With Gratitude, We Recognize
- Rev. Robert Amundsen, Church and Society Chair, Central Appalachian Missionary Conference — 2 years
- Rev. Glen Connoley, Peace With Justice Coordinator, Missouri Conference — 6 years
- Rev. Diane Dixon-Proctor, Peace With Justice Coordinator, Baltimore-Washington Conference — 10 years
- Rev. Raponzil Drake, Church and Society Chair, Great Plains Conference — 1 year
- Rev. Kimberly Hornung-Marcy, Church and Society Chair, New England Conference — 4 years
- Rev. Lisa May, Peace With Justice Coordinator, Kentucky Conference — more than 3 years
- Rev. Don Terry, Peace With Justice Coordinator, Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference — 1 year
Church and Society Chairs provide vital leadership within annual conferences, helping clergy and laity engage the Social Principles and respond to pressing social concerns. Through education, advocacy and relationship-building, they encourage the Church to address injustice with courage, compassion and hope.
Peace With Justice Coordinators help annual conferences and local churches work toward a world grounded in dignity, reconciliation and peace. They raise awareness of critical issues, cultivate ministries of peace and justice, and help United Methodists support transformative work through the Peace with Justice Special Sunday offering.
Caretakers of God’s Creation help annual conferences and local churches respond faithfully to environmental concerns. They encourage United Methodists to understand caring for creation as an essential part of Christian discipleship and to pursue environmental justice through education, advocacy and sustainable practices.
Although these leaders serve in different contexts, they share a common calling: to help the Church put its faith into action. Their service takes many forms from organizing gatherings and sharing resources, to cultivating relationships and inviting others into the work. Its impact is not always easily measured, but it can be seen in the person who discovers their voice, the congregation that takes its first step toward advocacy and the partnership that grows into sustained action.
This ministry reflects the connectional nature of The United Methodist Church. Our witness is strengthened when people across local churches, districts, annual conferences and general agencies share their gifts and work toward a common vision of justice and peace.
The General Board of Church and Society gives thanks for the wisdom, commitment and faithful witness of those concluding their service. The relationships they cultivated and the ministries they strengthened will continue to bear fruit in their annual conferences and throughout the denomination.
As one chapter of their leadership comes to a close, we celebrate all they have contributed and pray for God’s guidance in what comes next. May their example continue to inspire United Methodists to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
This content was originally published by the General Board of Church and Society; republished with permission on ResourceUMC.org on August 20, 2026.