I was honored last week at Annual Conference (Wisconsin) to receive the Perry Saito Award for a lifetime’s work in ministries of social justice. This isn’t anything I sought, and in fact, never really considered myself qualified for. It made me realize that work in social justice isn’t something I do; it is an aspect of who I am. I have read a number of times that human beings crave two things: recognition and appreciation. I’m not sure I fully grasped this until I was honored this way.

Through a miscommunication, I wasn’t given the opportunity to address the Conference and give my thanks for the award, so I am doing it here. I am so grateful for this distinction. I honestly feel I have done nothing exceptional. For me, to be in ministry is to be faithful to the teachings of Jesus to champion God’s will “on earth as it is in heaven.” This means a deep and defining commitment to biblical justice.

I grew up being told a lie. That lie was “religion and politics don’t mix.” I realized the lie as I studied the Bible. Scripture informed my faith; faith shaped my values; my values defined my politics. People who believe religion and politics don’t belong together should steer clear of reading the Bible and should avoid the teachings of Jesus at all costs. There has never been a more political voice in history louder and stronger than Jesus the Christ. If we had no other scriptures than Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 25:31-46, and the Lukan beatitudes we would have a lifetime of social/biblical justice to occupy our time.

Social justice is actually a poor umbrella term. First, justice by its very definition is social. Justice has to do with relationships, ethics, morality, fairness, mercy, compassion, empathy, and understanding. We cannot do justice in isolation by ourselves. Justice is always interactive. It defines how we treat each other, think about each other, listen to each other, and protect each other. True justice needs no qualifier. Real justice IS God’s justice.

And it is not some lame nationalism, exclusionary barrier, oligarchical power grab, or spiritual privilege. The only thing more universally intended and designed than justice is love. If God is love, God is also justice. And justice must take many forms. Someone asked me to make a list of all the things I have been engaged in that I would place under the label “justice ministry.” I was able to make this list in under three minutes, from my teenage years to today (49 years):

• helped shut down a child pornography ring in my hometown
• designed and hosted a disabilities rights symposium in college
• protested mistreatment of Jewish students
• protested against South African Apartheid
• protested (and was arrested) anti-nuclear weapons at Picatinny arsenal
• CUMAC-ECHO feeding and food bank ministries
• Developed environmental stewardship curriculum
• Co-chaired the Gay and Lesbian Rights Coalition
• Led workshops on racial justice and equality
• Led awareness raising and education workshops on youth violence, specifically gun violence
• Led bridge building workshops at Native American Family camp
• Participated in prison ministry for over 20 years
• Worked on gay rights, disabilities, racial justice, and immigration legislation for 6 General Conferences
• Conducted research projects on food justice, climate justice, healthcare, wealth inequality, and community engagement, and produced curriculum
• Served 15 years at the General Board of Discipleship in stewardship, conference leadership, congregational leadership, and research; much relating to justice issues
• Served four years as a Board Member of the General Board of Church and Society
• Worked on anti-addiction resources
• Participated in the global listening sessions for the revision of The United Methodist Social Principles
• Wrote, edited, and revised portions of the Social Principles with special focus on ethical uses of social media
• Was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries for ten years
• Helped People’s UMC go solar, placing solar panels on church and parsonage, receiving a Dane County Climate Justice Award in 2023
• Helped People’s UMC become a Reconciling Congregation and a member of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice
• Helped People’s UMC declare itself a Sanctuary Church, January 21, 2025
• Created the Not One More anti-gun violence program
• Participated in four immigration reform and support networks

Look, I don’t believe that anyone can do everything, but I do believe everyone can do something. Scrap the term “social justice,” and zero in on a just and merciful something. Feed the hungry, visit the sick, stand with the oppressed, defend the refugee, protect the innocent, care for your neighbor. The Golden Rule and the Great Commandment are both social justice injunctions.

Our Annual Conference theme this year was “Practicing Hope.” What does this look like? What does this feel like? What not only practices hope, but produces hope? Social justice. A commitment to God’s justice is the way we practice hope here on earth. We have limited time but almost limitless need and opportunity. I was surprised how much of my ministry has been connected to mercy and justice, but I truly shouldn’t be. I have never tried to be a crusader; only faithful to doing God’s will as I understand it.

Years ago, I made a real ass of myself by demanding that The United Methodist Church rethink “Peace and Justice Sunday,” to call it instead “Peace with Justice Sunday.” My reasoning was that you cannot ever truly have peace unless you have justice. I was part of a small group calling for the change and was disappointed that nothing happened… right away. Four years later we made the change and secretly it may be one of the things of which I am most proud. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called Children of God. And blessed are those who strive for justice for they lay the groundwork for peace.