Who We Are & What We Do
In wake of the protests regarding the racial injustice, across this country, a group of Methodists in the Gallatin Valley (Bozeman UMC and Living Waters UMC) decided to get together to put their passion for social justice into action. As United Methodists, we are called to stand up against injustice. In the baptismal covenant of the United Methodist Church, we commit to our vow to:
“accept the freedom and power God gives [us] to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”
SJAT does a variety of initiatives and projects including supporting missions with chosen emphases—homelessness and food insecurity, providing educational initiatives on mental health and racial justice, to informing our congregation about legislation during the current session of the Montana legislature regarding certain and other issues to which our Christian faith speaks. Last not but least, we are a newly formed group that aims to grow our vision and presence.
Our Values
Who Are We? (Values of Identity)
Every Person Is Sacred
We believe every person is created in the image of God and is of sacred worth. To believe otherwise is to be isolated from the world and from God.
Risky Faith
We take these risks to be intellectual and faithful, to build bridges with strangers of diversity, to be forward-thinking and still biblical, and to be Methodist and more than Methodist.
Justice-Seeking Community
We show God’s love to the world through actions that alleviate suffering and break down barriers in the world through service and justice.
Touching God in Discipleship
We will become disciples by beginning the journey somewhere, and then navigating life together as an ongoing pilgrimage.
Radical-Grace Community
We embody the life of Jesus Christ through tangible acts of kindness and hope in a world that needs both.
* “more than Methodist” acknowledges both the diversity of ecumenical backgrounds such as Catholics, Evangelicals and Episcopalians within the community alongside the rich traditions among other faiths within Christianity incorporated into the BUMC faith.
*Justice is defined as the Biblical mandate to make right our relationships with God, relationships with one another and relationships with the natural creation.
Why Do We Exist? (God’s Purpose For Us)
We are called to call people from isolation into sacredness and love.
We are called to work against isolation, exclusion, and negativity; and provide a place for diverse relationships in a divided world.
We are called to provide refuge from the evils of the world.
We are called to demonstrate the value of being a Christian through personal healing, tangible hope, and service.
We are called to be an open, accepting, welcoming, and non-judgemental community.
Social Justice Action Team
- Gloria Zimmer, Co-Chair
- Allie Zanieri-Hale, Co-Chair
- Pastor Zach Bechtold
- Vickie Wilkinson
- Debra Redburn
- Linda Hospodor
- Betty Merta
Interested in joining the team? Send us a message to connect.
Methodists in the Gallatin Valley 