NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches improvise as different Holy Week looms
DALLAS (UM News) — United Methodist churches are scrambling to figure out how best to observe Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and especially Easter while COVID-19 restrictions limit in-person gatherings. Sam Hodges reports.
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Acts of worship for Holy Week, Easter
Pandemic presents challenge to church giving
SEATTLE (UM News) — Even when churches can't pass the plate, they still rely on offerings. But church leaders also want to be sensitive to the faithful's own economic needs in a time of rising unemployment. Heather Hahn reports on giving and COVID-19.
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Renowned United Methodist civil rights leader dead at 98ATLANTA (UM News) — The Rev. Joseph Echols Lowery, a United Methodist pastor who loved to preach and never feared speaking truth to power, died at his home on March 27. He was 98. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.Read story
Filipino pastors fear for safetyCANDON CITY, Philippines (UM News) — Amid a strict home quarantine on the island of Luzon, two United Methodist pastors said they fear for their safety because of harassment and intimidation related to their social justice work. Bishops and other church leaders have condemned the military surveillance and intimidation. Gladys P. Mangiduyos reports.Read story
Mississippi church property dispute settledLOUISVILLE, Miss. (UM News) — The Mississippi Conference and a Louisville congregation settled a 2-year-old lawsuit filed after most of the congregation voted to leave The United Methodist Church. Heather Hahn has the story.
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Caldwell still preaching after guilty plea
HOUSTON (UM News) — Kirbyjon Caldwell, former pastor of a United Methodist megachurch, has surrendered his clergy credentials and awaits sentencing in federal court, having pled guilty March 11 to a fraud charge. But Caldwell remains on staff at Windsor Village United Methodist Church and will preach there occasionally as a lay preacher, Texas Conference Bishop Scott Jones said. Sam Hodges reports.
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Radio station extends reach in Côte d'IvoireABIDJAN, Côte d'Ivoire (UM News) — The United Methodist Church's Voice of Hope will now be broadcast throughout eastern Côte d'Ivoire with the assignment of a new frequency in Abengourou. Bishop Benjamin Boni announced the news during a celebration of the radio station's 10th anniversary. Isaac Broune has the story.
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AU shifts to online classes, but some remain on campusMUTARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Students at Africa University are adapting to online classes following the government directive to close all schools, colleges and universities to curb the spread of the coronavirus. For international students and staff who remain on campus, the United Methodist university has changed some procedures to keep everyone safe. Eveline Chikwanah reports.
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Podcasts give churches 'germ-free' way to ministerNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As ongoing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 keep in-person gatherings from happening, United Methodists continue to find new ways to connect and minister online. If they weren’t already podcasting, many are starting to do so. Joey Butler reports.
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Wrestling with budget after GC2020 postponedNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — After the pandemic-forced postponement of General Conference, United Methodist financial leaders grappled with how to handle the denomination’s budget after 2020. Their goal: To stay within the bounds of church rules while recognizing the new economic realities experienced across the denomination. Heather Hahn reports.
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Arkansas Conference
After tornado, churches spring into actionJONESBORO, Ark. — Relief efforts are underway after an EF3 tornado whipped through this Northeast Arkansas city, damaging hundreds of homes and businesses and injuring 22 people. In part due to the current COVID-19 social distancing efforts, no fatalities were reported. Caleb Hennington has the story.Read story
Missouri Conference
Pastor discusses recovery in isolationCOLUMBIA, Mo. — For many people struggling with addiction, groups are important. The Rev. Shane Laswell, minister of Morning Star United Methodist Church’s Celebrate Recovery, is worried about the forced isolation because of COVID-19. He has come up with some tips and alternatives.
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Michigan Conference
African worshippers find home in Grand RapidsGRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Restoration Community, a church of African immigrants, has found a home at Wyoming Wesley Park United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dean Prentiss, pastor at Wesley Park, says an "Acts Council" with members from both congregations works to share concerns, handle conflicts and plan together. The church has since suspended in-person worship because of the coronavirus. Jack Harnish has the story.
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Global Ministries
Building capacity for coronavirus responseATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is developing an ongoing, flexible plan to help communities implement infection control aimed at breaking the coronavirus transmission chain. The United Methodist Committee on Relief and the agency’s Global Health unit also are working on ways to increase the capacity of United Methodist networks in global and local settings. Christie R. House reports.
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UMCOR gives supplies to first responders
Church of the Village
Former DS, bishop's wife dies of COVID-19NEW YORK — United Methodists are mourning the passing of the Rev. Sherrie Dobbs Johnson, a former district superintendent in the Greater New Jersey Conference and wife of retired Bishop Alfred Johnson. She died March 27 of complications related to COVID-19. The Church of the Village has a remembrance.
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World Council of Churches
A visionary missionary heads homeGENEVA — After more than 30 years as a pastor, ecumenist and church leader, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit firmly believes that the church can change the world. As the top executive of the World Council of Churches for the past 10 years, he has engaged with people of faith around the globe in pursuit of that belief, including United Methodists such as Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, the WCC's co-vice moderator. Claus Grue has the story.Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Finance and Administration
Board hears update on new coronavirus-related lawNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Families First Coronavirus Response Act affects paid leave offered by churches and other employers with between 50 and 500 employees. The General Council on Finance and Administration board has compiled answers to frequently asked questions about the relief package.
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Higher Education and Ministry
Student loan payment suspensions availableNASHVILLE, Tenn. — A three-month suspension of student loan payments is being offered by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus. The pandemic may cause financial hardship for many paying off student loans.
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E-resources for education and ministry available
Love Your Neighbor CoalitionCalling for justice amid pandemicNEW YORK — As the church confronts a global pandemic, the Love Your Neighbor Coalition urges United Methodists to act for justice for those most at risk from COVID-19 and its effects.
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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.
Enforced COVID-19 isolation recalls days in prisonNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — In the 1980s Republic of Korea, the Rev. Thomas Kim was held as a political prisoner for eight months, and he likens that imprisonment to the enforced isolation brought on by COVID-19. While that isolation is hard to take, he writes that it is nearly impossible to take the racism and xenophobia aimed at Asian Americans.
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God's role in times of crisisMOSS, Norway (UM News) — Much unhealthy theology emerges when people face all kinds of crises. The coronavirus pandemic is no exception, writes the Rev. Knut Refsdal, a district superintendent for The United Methodist Church in Norway.Read commentary
UMC in Central and Southern Europe
Helping European United Methodists through crisisZURICH — The coronavirus crisis has changed life dramatically in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania in recent days. Many people are now worried about the inadequate health care system and the supply of essential goods. But — as Urs Schweizer, assistant to United Methodist Bishop Patrick Streiff, points out — United Methodist congregations in these countries are trying to respond with confidence, creativity and great commitment.
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Florida Conference
Adapting worship in a time of pandemicLAKELAND, Fla. — The coronavirus pandemic isn't the first crisis to force people of faith to worship apart from their community. But in a time that requires "great adaptation," the Rev. Paul W. Chilcote, a retired professor, writes about how social distancing can lead to authentic and faithful worship.
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RESOURCES
Ask The UMC
Keeping congregations connectedNASHVILLE, Tenn. — While nothing replaces being physically together, congregations can find creative ways to engage members and communities in prayer, worship and ministry. United Methodist Communications' Ask The UMC team offers tools to help church members stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Read more Ask The UMC
United Methodist Communications
UMCom to offer daily tech tips for local churchesNASHVILLE, Tenn. — As churches shift to digital ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, United Methodist Communications is posting a week of daily Local Church Learning Sessions on the ResourceUMC and UMCom Facebook pages. Topics include tips for using technology such as Zoom and Facebook Live, electronic giving and utilizing text messaging as a connectional tool.
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Discipleship Ministries
Chuck Knows Church: Help during COVID-19 crisisNASHVILLE, Tenn. — The online video series Chuck Knows Church is back. He’s teaming up with Discipleship Ministries' #SeeAllThePeople campaign to share a few simple ideas that churches can do to help their community during this time of crisis.
Watch series
United Methodist Communications
Advice for churches on Facebook groupsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many churches have Facebook pages now, but Facebook group pages may be new to them. United Methodist Communications offers a tutorial online to help church communications leaders get started.
Learn more
5 tweaks for online church services
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