"What do we have as United Methodists? A theology of grace; a belief of God ever be us, wooing the world into repentance, relationship, and wholeness; an understanding about our redemption and forgiveness that forever sets us free; and a belief that we can, in cooperation with the Spirit of God, be perfected in love. That's what we have."  Christy Thomas (United Methodist Reporter, Nov. 30, 2012)