Church leaders postpone 2020 General Conference
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — With the global impact of the coronavirus, General Conference organizers decided they have no choice but to postpone the denomination's legislative assembly. The venue that was scheduled to host is canceling large events through the first five days of the big meeting. Heather Hahn reports.
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Bishops ask postponement of GC2020
Small churches undaunted by virus challenges
DALLAS (UM News) — Whether it's making an online preaching debut or changing a food pantry delivery to drive-thru, small United Methodist churches and their pastors are scrambling along with everyone else because of coronavirus-related restrictions. One pastor has turned to low-watt FM radio to reach church members without internet. Sam Hodges has the story.
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Virus alters but does not stop Sunday worship
Churches adapting to coronavirus restrictions
Include Deaf and Hard of Hearing in online worship
Coronavirus disrupts annual conference sessionsMANILA, Philippines (UM News) — Seventeen annual conference sessions in the Philippines have been postponed indefinitely due to the threat of the coronavirus and quarantines in the region. The Côte d'Ivoire and Germany North conferences also have postponed their upcoming annual sessions. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.
Read storyOklahoma Conference restructures annual meeting
Churches overcome social distancing to continue outreachNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — This past weekend, churches across the U.S. held virtual worship services online. Now, pastors and other church staff turn to continuing other aspects of their ministry from a distance as the church copes with the spread of COVID-19. Joey Butler and Jim Patterson have the story.Read story
Ebola offers lessons in fighting coronavirusFREETOWN, Sierra Leone (UM News) — While Sierra Leone does not have any confirmed coronavirus cases yet, the government and United Methodist leaders and hospitals are taking precautionary measures in the wake of the country's years-long battle with Ebola. Phileas Jusu reports.Read story
Ask The UMC
How can we livestream worship services legally?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Livestreaming can be an effective way for church and community members to remain connected with worship. United Methodist Communications’ Ask The UMC has more on copyright considerations for livestreaming legally.
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Spotlighting black heroes in children's booksNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A new children's book tells the story of Methodist minister Charles A. Tindley, who worked his way up from childhood poverty to become a respected clergyman and hymn writer. Jim Patterson has the story.
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Great Plains Conference
Kansas legislator and church leader has diedLEAWOOD, Kan. — Nancy Brown, a founding member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and a former state legislator, has died. The Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the church, said her impact was "incalculable." David Burke reports.
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Solar lamps help clergy, students in NigeriaKARIM MAUNDI, Nigeria (UM News) — The four conferences of the Nigeria Episcopal Area received hundreds of solar systems in February to be used in United Methodist churches, homes and schools. The solar products were provided by the United Methodist German Mission Board, which has a partnership with the episcopal area. Ramson Danjuma and Daniel Garba have the story.
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South Georgia Conference
Youth make blankets for kids in foster carePERRY, Ga. — Youth at Perry United Methodist Church spent a recent evening cutting, tying and worshipping. Above all, they shared the love of Christ as they made 20 blankets to give to children who will be entering the foster care system. Kara Witherow has the story.
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North Texas Conference
Joys and challenges for clergywomen in small townsBONHAM, Texas — Clergywomen serving small-town churches have satisfactions but also face prejudice from those who don't accept that women should be in the pulpit. The North Texas Conference shares profiles of four of its women pastors who work in small towns.Read story
Global Ministries
Project provides water to mountain homesSNEEDVILLE, Tenn. — The United Methodist Jubilee Water Project builds about three wells each year in Hancock County, where many residents don't have access to clean, safe water. The project, a mission of the Holston Conference, also helps with indoor plumbing. "The need for water here is amazing. People living up in the 'hollers' even today lack access to clean, fresh water," said Lisa Nichols, director of the project. Christie R. House reports.
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Global Ministries
Partners in relief for Venezuelan migrantsATLANTA — The exodus of people from Venezuela has now exceeded 4.6 million. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has partnered with Methodist churches in Peru, Colombia and Brazil to help meet the needs of arriving Venezuelan migrants. Many of the migrants they encounter are women — often pregnant — along with children and families separated from loved ones. Christie R. House has the story.Read story
Response Magazine
Living the legacy in IndiaLUCKNOW, India — Educating girls was not a very popular idea in India in 1870, so when Isabella Thoburn opened a simple classroom for six girls in a mud-walled room, she posted a guard at the door with a big club. Today, Isabella Thoburn College remains a premier school for young women in India and is supported by United Methodist Women members' mission giving. Paul Jeffrey has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Online giving for UMCOR SundayATLANTA — UMCOR Sunday, observed March 22 this year, falls during a time when most United Methodists in the U.S. and Europe are worshipping through digital technology because of the coronavirus threat. Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief can still be made online or by mail.
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United Methodist Women
Changes planned for 2 UMW spring eventsNEW YORK — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, United Methodist Women announced changes for two major program events scheduled for April through May. The organization plans to reschedule four of its five quadrennial jurisdiction events and is exploring online distance-learning resources for those registered for its national Mission U training events for conference study leaders.
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University Senate
Distance-learning restrictions easedNASHVILLE, Tenn. — To help United Methodist seminaries during the COVID-19 crisis, restrictions on distance learning have been temporarily lifted. Site visits also have been canceled for the immediate future by the University Senate, which provides consultative support and conducts periodic peer reviews of institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church.
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Connectional Table
Connectional Table affirms Christmas CovenantCHICAGO — The Connectional Table has received many questions about the relationship between its legislation to create a U.S. regional conference and the recently released Christmas Covenant legislation that seeks to create regional conferences around the world. In a statement, the Connectional Table affirmed that the Christmas Covenant accurately reflects its legislation.
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See legislation chart
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COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
Perkins School of Theology
Advice on preaching to an empty roomDALLAS — The Rev. Alyce McKenzie, director of the Center for Preaching Excellence at Perkins School of Theology, shares tips for pastors who in this period of coronavirus are giving online-only sermons.
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Dallas Morning News
World War II vet offers perspective on pandemicDALLAS — As a 94-year-old World War II veteran, John Gould has seen his share of hard times. The faithful United Methodist shared with Dallas Morning News columnist Sharon Grigsby his advice for coping with the coronavirus: "Take it easy, pray for each other and look after your neighbors, even if you don’t know them that well — especially those who are lonely or really fragile."
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Men
Latest issue of UMMen magazine availableNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The theme of the Spring 2020 issue of UMMen, the magazine of United Methodist Men, is "What Are We Fighting For?" In the midst of debates on the future direction of the denomination, the issue previews the major proposals coming to General Conference, but also contains tips on men's ministry, as the need to reach out to men and youth will continue no matter what is decided.
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