In our United Methodist Church, the concept of grace is central to our theology and practice. Grace represents God’s unmerited favor, a gift freely given to all. We have been invited by Bishop Dan Schwerin to observe 2025 as a Year of Grace. This will be the theme of our 2025 annual conference session.

Within the connectional ministries framework, a Year of Grace offers a powerful opportunity to deepen discipleship, nurture congregational vitality, and engage in mission that reflects Christ’s transformative love. It can be seen as a collective journey of spiritual growth and active ministry. Rooted in John Wesley’s understanding of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace, observing a Year of Grace invites all Methodists to embrace grace as a dynamic force that informs both personal faith and communal action.  

A Year of Grace provides congregations and individuals the opportunity to intentionally reflect on and live out this core aspect of Methodist theology in practical ways.  

Here are some practical steps to embrace a Year of Grace in your local church or community.

1. Start with prayer and worship. Grace begins with God, and a Year of Grace should be rooted in prayer and worship.
•    Incorporate grace-focused theme in worship
•    Encourage personal prayer  
•    Hold special services 

2. Equip Leaders with Grace-Centered Training. Leadership development is key to fostering a culture of grace in the church. Training might include:
•    Workshops on Wesleyan theology  
•    Conflict resolution training

3. Practice radical hospitality. Prevenient grace teaches us that God extends love to everyone, even before they realize they want it. Churches can reflect this by:
•    Welcoming newcomers
•    Reaching out to marginalized groups

4. Offer opportunities for spiritiual renewal. Justifying grace focuses on the transformative power of faith. To nurture awareness of this expression of grace, consider providing:
•    Discipleship classes
•    Personal testimonies
•    Retreats and quiet days

5. Engage in community missions. Sanctifying grace moves us toward action. Organize activities that demonstrate grace in tangible ways, such as:
•    Feeding the hungry
•    Environmental stewardship
•    Support for vulnerable populations

6. Build connectional relationships. The United Methodist Church thrives on its connectional nature. Strengthen bonds with other churches by participating in:
•    Collaborative mission projects
•    District or conference-wide events  
•    Sharing resources

7. Reflect and celebrate. At the end of the year, take time to:
•    Evaluate progress
•    Celebrate milestones
•    Share stories

A Year of Grace is more than a theme; it’s an invitation to align our lives and ministries with the boundless love of God. By taking practical steps to reflect and act on grace, the UMC can empower individuals and communities to experience the transformative power of God’s gift and share it with the world.