Commission on Archives and History of The UMC

09/22/2026

When it comes to American Methodism, few cities hold as much history as New York. Join the Rev. Stefanie Bennett, senior pastor at Street United Methodist Church, on a walking tour of Lower Manhatten on October 10 to "uncover the stories of the people called Methodists." Registration cost of $20 includes lunch.

Register at https://www.johnstreetchurch.org/events/methodistmanhattan/.

09/21/2026

Online or in person, here's an opportunity to hear Dr. Ashley Boggan when she is at Candler School of Theology Sept. 22-23 to take part in three public events focused on q***r history, memory, and The United Methodist Church. Register at the link in the comments.

Ashley Boggan, general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History of The UMC, will be at Candler Sept. 22-23 to take part in three public events focused on q***r history, memory, and The United Methodist Church.

Learn more and register to attend these events in person or online: bit.ly/boggan-candler-events

During these two days, Boggan will preach in Candler's chapel worship and participate in the panel discussion "Q***r and Community Archival Practices" alongside archivists, pastors, and scholars. She'll also present a lecture on reclaiming the heart and method of Methodism, looking at the concept of what she calls "Wesleyan Vile-tality."

"'Wesleyan Vile-tality' is a willingness to look beyond today’s acceptable practices, standards, and norms, and bend the rules in order to ensure that more and more persons can be included within the kindom of God,” Boggan explained in a 2025 episode of the United Methodist Church podcast "Get Your Spirit in Shape." "And that all persons, no matter who they are, how they identify, whom they love or how they live, can know and experience the love of God, can know their own self-worth and can grow to love themselves so that they can love others."

09/16/2026

Hispanic Heritage Month is underway (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) and, today, we're lifting up the story of Jovita Idár, a Mexican American journalist, activist and Methodist working in South Texas in the early 20th century.

Check out the story in the comments to learn more about this trailblazer.

09/15/2026

GCAH was in the room at the SEJ Historical Society's meeting held at Asbury UMC in Greeneville, Tenn. We appreciate the dedication and work of all our denominational archivists and historians!

Pictured: GCAH's Rob Lee, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and Mike Feely, chair of the Holston Conference Commission on Archives and History.

09/12/2026

As we continue commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks in 2001, GCAH pauses to reflect on the events of that tragic day.

We recognize the great pain felt by survivors and first responders still to this day and we offer our prayers for them.

We also reflect on the response that day and the weeks that followed by UMCOR that was housed in part in a historic congregation in Lower Manhattan, John Street United Methodist Church.

We share this United Methodist Communications video from 2014. And we commit ourselves to the work of seeking peace in all parts of the world.

09/11/2026

Today across the world, and, especially in the United States, we remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001. On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, we share a remembrance from Jay Cardwell, a member and trustee at John Street United Methodist Church, the oldest congregation in American Methodism. In this article from United Methodist News, Jay recounts making his way through the dust to his church that day and the events of the days and weeks that followed and how that single event, while not totally defining him, did forever change his life.

Find link in the comments. Photo courtesy of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

09/10/2026

Last evening GCAH’s Connectional Coordinator, The Rev. Dr. Rob Lee was at Christ United Methodist Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. There he presented the church with a certificate celebrating their important place on the landscape of worldwide Methodism during a special worship service. Christ UMC traces its roots to the earliest Korean immigrants to Hawaii. Dr. Lee was also joined by the Western Jurisdiction’s Commission on Archives and History, which included two GCAH board members.

09/07/2026

Our General Secretary, Dr. Ashley Boggan is in England this week with a group of bishops most recently elected in the 2022/2024 cycle. She’s serving as their historian-in-residence and helping to guide them to a deeper expression of their Wesleyan heritage.

Do you see your bishop or a bishop you recognize?

09/07/2026

The United States celebrates on Sept. 7, a federal holiday intended to recognize the American labor movement and the contributions of laborers.

]n 1908, the Methodist Church took a stand for the rights of workers with the Social Creed. In this 2017 video from our archives, we learn the history behind The United Methodist Church's long stance in support of workers.

[Note: GBCS leadership featured in the video is from 2017.]