NEWS AND FEATURES
Weddings, funerals altered by virus restrictions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The coronavirus spread has prompted many United Methodist churches to shift to online worship. But other big events — weddings, baptisms, funerals, memorial services — are on hold or getting downsized. Sam Hodges reports.
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Helping children deal with COVID-19
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Sheltering in place is confusing for children accustomed to daily contact with friends and teachers. Church leaders offer some advice on how to cope during the COVID-19 crisis. Jim Patterson reports.
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Group looking at 2021 for General ConferenceNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — General Conference organizers met in a teleconference to explore rescheduling the lawmaking assembly in 2021 after the coronavirus-compelled delay. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read press releaseChurch leaders postpone GC2020
In GC2020 delay, leaders see needed pauseMINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — General Conference delegates and other United Methodist leaders agreed that postponing General Conference was necessary, given the global health emergency that COVID-19 represents. They also spoke of the need to use this slowdown to pray and prioritize caring for the vulnerable. Heather Hahn and Sam Hodges report.Read story
No travel? Not a problem for mission boardATLANTA (UM News) — Across multiple time zones, directors of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries made a virtual trip for their spring meeting, joining a select few of the Global Ministries staff, who were spaced carefully around a conference room table at the mission agency's headquarters. It was business in the time of the coronavirus. Linda Bloom has the story.Read story
Read Thomas Kemper's reportMission agency elects new top executive
Zimbabwe church keeps diaspora connected
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The Zimbabwean United Methodist Church is flourishing in countries far from home. The Zimbabwe Episcopal Area has planted churches in Australia, Scotland, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the United Arab Emirates in support of church members displaced over the past two decades by political instability and economic turmoil. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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BMCR looks at separation plans, leadership viewsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (UM News) — Much of the annual meeting of the African American caucus of The United Methodist Church focused on major changes being proposed to the now-delayed General Conference, as well as the views of black church leaders. During its 53rd annual meeting, Black Methodists for Church Renewal endorsed the protocol plan for amicable separation of the church. John W. Coleman reports.
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Read BMCR press release
Missouri Conference
Churches sew masks for nursing homesBUFFALO, Mo. — United Methodist churches have volunteers working to make masks for staff at the local nursing homes, which face increased risks because of COVID-19. The churches also are collecting craft projects, including Sunday school curriculum, to provide something for nursing home residents to do while restricted to their rooms. Fred Koenig has the story.
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LiCAS.news
Filipino United Methodists help frontline workersMANILA, Philippines — Ramuel Derige, a Filipino United Methodist who works in Dubai, posted an appeal to friends on Facebook to help provide personal protective equipment to hospitals in the fight against the coronavirus. In about 12 hours, he was able to raise about $3,500. Derige and his friends, all members of The United Methodist Church, were able to buy 1,000 N95 masks for distribution at six hospitals in the Philippines. Mark Saludes has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
Churchgoers hold Day of Giving BackTHOMASVILLE, Ga. — More than 150 people gathered at the Vashti Center on Feb. 22 for the inaugural Day of Giving Back. Before the coronavirus-related shutdowns, churchgoers did multiple mission activities at the United Methodist Women's center. Kara Witherow has the story.
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The Indiana Gazette, East Ohio Conference
Drive-in worship, food pantriesINDIANA, Pa. — Drive-in food pantries and inventive worship techniques are some of the ways churches such as Grace United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania and Westbrook Park United Methodist Church in Ohio are responding to government limits on gatherings because of the coronavirus.
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Missouri Conference
Ministry to residents of extended-stay motelsBRANSON, Mo. — When Peggy Egbert became director of Caring Ministries at Branson United Methodist Church, the ministry consisted of hospital calls and visits with shut-in church members. But her suggestion to be in ministry with people living in extended-stay motels changed everything.
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Florida Conference
Hurricane Irma recovery winds downVALRICO, Fla. — A loving United Methodist community came together two years ago to help communities ravaged by Hurricane Irma. Now, those rebuilding efforts are ending as finances dry up and volunteers scatter to other areas of need. Yvette C. Hammett reports.Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Africa University
AU classes move onlineMUTARE, Zimbabwe — With the Zimbabwe government's order to close all colleges and universities amid the coronavirus pandemic, Africa University is moving its teaching, learning and related activities online to ensure that students' academic progress continues uninterrupted. The United Methodist university is also working with relevant embassies to assist students from outside Zimbabwe. A number of students are facing challenges in returning to their home countries due to travel restrictions and financial constraints.
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MARCHA, Religion and Race
Denouncing 'Chinese virus' languagePLEASANTVILLE, N.J. — The five racial ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist Church denounced the use of the term "China or Chinese virus." The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race did the same, calling President Trump's description of the coronavirus as the "Chinese virus" racist and xenophobic.
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Read Religion and Race statement
National Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
Protect life during coronavirus crisisWASHINGTON — Ecumenical leaders are urging people everywhere to give the highest priority to protecting life during the coronavirus crisis. "Ours is a global church, and this is an international crisis impacting oikumene, the whole inhabited world," said Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and top executive of the U.S. National Council of Churches. "The God of love is calling us together, and it is God's love that will see us through."
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Read full statement
Connectional Table
Group postpones budget allocation workCHICAGO — With the postponement of General Conference and the need to address a global pandemic, the Connectional Table — a United Methodist leadership body — has postponed doing new budget allocations for now. The Connectional Table is responsible for proposing allocations of the funds that support Africa University, United Methodist seminaries, the Black College Fund, ecumenical work and the work of most general agencies.
Read statement
Potential split leads to deep budget cuts
General Secretaries Table
Connection vital in time of the coronavirusNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Caring for the planet and all God's people is the most pressing duty of The United Methodist Church in the midst of the global pandemic, the General Secretaries Table said in a statement. The church is "a critical connecting presence given the worldwide emphasis on intentional social distancing," said the top executives of the 13 general agencies and the Connectional Table.
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Church and Society
Living undocumented during COVID-19WASHINGTON — Karely Amaya, a second-year student at UCLA, reflects on her experience as an undocumented student during COVID-19 and how people of faith can take action to protect others during this public health crisis. Amaya — a member of the Wesley Foundation's 580 Cafe who was originally scheduled to start a Church and Society internship on March 24 — talks with Rebecca Cole.
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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.
Possible steps after General Conference delayCHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News) — Postponing General Conference is the right thing to do, writes the Rev. William B. Lawrence, former president of the denomination's top court. However, he says that church's laws require certain actions this year and he suggests how to get that work done.
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Plenaria blog
The Sabbath and social distancingSAN ANTONIO — The Rev. John Feagins, pastor of La Trinidad United Methodist Church, reflects on keeping one’s distance and keeping the faith in the time of coronavirus.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Helping your church respond to the coronavirusNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The spread of COVID-19 has affected every aspect of daily life, requiring everyone to find ways to adapt. ResourceUMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has created a site to equip churches with a variety of resources, from setting up virtual worship and electronic giving to congregational care and general health information.
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United Methodist Communications
Course helps churches stay connected through ZoomNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pastors and lay leaders can use digital tools to connect with their congregations remotely, and one of the most popular is Zoom, a video-conferencing program. "Zoom for Churches" is a new training resource from United Methodist Communications on how churches can use Zoom to engage members and strengthen community.
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United Methodist Communications
Finding an online giving solutionMOBILE, Ala. — Finding the right tool for online giving is important, but communicating effectively about the tool is key, writes the Rev. Jeremy Steele. He offers advice on online giving.
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