Beyond the Pulpit 6.22.25

Hello Crozet UMC,

This past week, Beyond The Pulpit, I’ve been preparing for the next segment of our “What do we say about….?” worship and study series, and I invite you to join me on Sunday! In this 4-week focus, we’re using the newly revised United Methodist Social Principles to see what our denomination says about issues we face every day as faithful followers of Christ. You can follow along using this United Methodist Social Principles Packet that we’ve put together as a resource for this study. This week our focus is Part II: The Economic Community.

As United Methodists at Crozet UMC, we believe that our faith shapes how we live — not only in our spiritual lives, but also in our daily decisions. The Social Principles related to our Economic Community remind us that all we are and all we possess belong to God. We are not owners, but stewards of our resources — called to use them not just for personal gain, but to uplift the poor, support fair labor, fight human trafficking, and advocate for ethical, just economies that reflect the values of God’s kingdom.

This topic shows up in our daily lives more than we might think. Whether it’s stretching a paycheck to cover rising grocery bills, thinking about how our savings are being used, or noticing the growing gaps between those who have more than enough and those barely getting by, we’re all part of a larger economic picture. In a place like Crozet, where community values run deep, how do we live out God’s call to justice and compassion? How do we make choices that reflect our faith—not just on Sunday, but at the gas pump, the bank, and the dinner table?

Join us this week as we look to Scripture and reflect together on what it means to promote economic justice where all people have access to basic necessities and opportunities for human flourishing.