NEWS AND FEATURES
Preaching creation care in the land of fracking
JANE LEW, W.Va. (UM News) — The continued rise of fracking activity in West Virginia has divided not only communities but churches — usually between those who stand to profit and others concerned about the long-term environmental impact. Joey Butler reports, with photos by Mike DuBose.
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Tentative General Conference dates publicized
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — The Council of Bishops disclosed a proposal that would push back General Conference more than a year and four months after the lawmaking assembly was originally scheduled. Heather Hahn reports.
Read storyYoung delegates urge GC2021 dates be revised
Helping Native communities during COVID-19 crisisSHIPROCK, N.M. (UM News) — United Methodists around the U.S. are helping Native Americans struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The support includes funding food ministries and providing protective gear for a hospital serving the hard-hit Navajo Nation, where there have been more than 1,100 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 44 deaths. Ginny Underwood has the story.
Read storyCelebrate Native American Ministries Sunday
Church hospitals race to prepare for the coronavirus
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — United Methodist hospitals in the central conferences are racing to prepare facilities to identify and treat patients with COVID-19, even though most lack ventilators and other crucial equipment. Eveline Chikwanah and communicators from across Africa and the Philippines report.
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Keeping church property safe amid closuresNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Empty church buildings come with their own risks. United Methodist Insurance offers five tips to help keep people and property safe during coronavirus-related vacancies. Heather Hahn reports.Read story
Desert Southwest's claim to property upheldCAMP VERDE, Ariz. (UM News) — An Arizona judge has ruled that property used by a breakaway congregation should be returned to The United Methodist Church. Heather Hahn reports on a case that involves the denomination’s trust clause.
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COVID-19 could push the church toward changeCHICAGO (UM News) — Church leaders guiding their flocks through the coronavirus pandemic say some of the responses to the emergency might help point the way to the future. Jim Patterson reports.
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Ohio church alters produce giveaway due to COVID-19COLUMBUS, Ohio (UM News) — Social distancing measures due to the coronavirus pandemic have not prevented The United Methodist Church for All People from continuing to provide support and hope to its community. Joey Butler has the story.
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Holston Conference
United Methodists on the front linesALCOA, Tenn. — As people around the world stay home to fight the coronavirus, many United Methodists have jobs that send them out into a dangerous world to care for others. Annette Spence reports on 11 United Methodists on the front lines.
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LifeWay Research
Survey: Pastors agree climate change is realNASHVILLE, Tenn. — For the first time, a majority of Protestant pastors believe global warming is happening and caused by humans. A 2019 survey from LifeWay Research found 53% of Protestant pastors — and 80% of Methodists — agree with the statement, "I believe global warming is real and man-made." Aaron Earls has the story.Read story
Memphis Conference
Men's ramp ministry adapts to COVID-19PADUCAH, Ky. — The men of Reidland United Methodist Church, for over a quarter century, have provided handicap access to those who cannot safely get in and out of their homes and can't afford to hire a contractor. The Ramp Ministry Team explains how they are able to continue the ministry while still social distancing.
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Remembering Oklahoma City bombingOKLAHOMA CITY — The 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing took place while the state was under stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus. This is the first year that families of victims and survivors did not gather at the memorial site. Members of the Oklahoma Conference and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, including Anne Marshall, who lost her husband in the terror attack, reflect on the tragedy.
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Read Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference story
Oklahoma Conference
Partnership aims to help restaurants, seniorsOKLAHOMA CITY — With the restaurant industry reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, an Oklahoma energy company plans to donate $250,000 to support local restaurants in partnership with Ending Hunger OKC's Meals on Wheels program. The Rev. Bob Long, senior pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, oversees Ending Hunger OKC and its Meals on Wheels program.
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United Methodist Communications
Coronavirus information and inspirationNASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMC.org) — In the latest "Get Your Spirit in Shape" podcast, the Rev. Joe Iovino talks with Sierra Leone Bishop John K. Yambasu and nurse Megan Klingler with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Global Health unit about the coronavirus. The pair shares tips for keeping each other safe and an update on how the church is responding in Africa.
Listen to podcast
World Council of Churches
Supporting lifesaving community mediaGENEVA — In Ecuador, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon is bringing crucial information about COVID-19 to local communities. In Nepal, the Indigenous Community Radio Network and Indigenous Television produced public service announcements about COVID-19. The World Association for Christian Communication is creating a rapid response fund to help support grassroots community media outlets that provide accurate coronavirus-related information to vulnerable people.
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Global Ministries
Young adults have legacy of mission serviceATLANTA — The Global Mission Fellows program of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has 111 young adults from 31 countries serving in 42 countries. Their motto: See differently; serve differently. The program's legacy dates to 1948, when the short-term missionary service for young adults was created to help rebuild the missionary community after World War II. Christie R. House has the story.
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United Methodist Communications
Advice from a veteran of pandemicsORLANDO, Fla. — As a baby, Lucille Ellson survived the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic. The 102-year-old United Methodist offers words of advice and comfort for those anxious about the global spread of the coronavirus. Crystal Caviness reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Baking bread with yeast and loveEMMITSBURG, Md. — The Rev. Heath Wilson's Facebook video, much like a favorite cooking show, finds him standing in the kitchen of Toms Creek United Methodist Church, with a monster bag of yeast at the ready. In his own quest to learn how to make a good loaf of bread, Erik Alsgaard caught up with Wilson for help.
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Birmingham Business Journal
Grant will preserve African American historyBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — St. Paul United Methodist Church has received $500,000 from the National Park Service to preserve and highlight stories related to the African American struggle for equality in the 20th century. The grant will allow the congregation to restore and rehabilitate the church building, located in the Birmingham Civil Rights District. Stephanie Rebman reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Judicial Council
Term expirations for Judicial Council on holdCINCINNATI — Members and alternate members of the United Methodist Judicial Council whose terms were expiring will continue to serve until their successors are elected at the next General Conference, the denomination’s top court has announced.
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Visit Judicial Council website
Global Ministries, UMCOR
UMCOR launches COVID-19 Response FundATLANTA — The United Methodist Committee on Relief has launched a giving campaign, "Sheltering in Love," as it continues to support global denominational efforts to assist vulnerable communities during the coronavirus outbreak. Through the COVID-19 Response Fund, UMCOR plans to quickly release grants of up to $20,000 to its partners, with grant applications available by April 27.
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Donate to COVID-19 Response Fund
Texas Methodist Foundation
Low-interest microloans for churches, ministriesAUSTIN, Texas — Responding to the COVID-19 emergency, the Texas Methodist Foundation has announced a $1 million, low-interest microloan program for United Methodist churches and ministries in Texas and New Mexico.
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Arkansas Conference
Bishop named to state's reopening task forceLITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has named Bishop Gary Mueller to the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force that will provide guidance for opening the state following coronavirus-related closures.
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Emory University
Emory University trustees elect 21st presidentATLANTA — Emory University's board of trustees has announced that Gregory L. Fenves, president of The University of Texas at Austin, has been elected as the United Methodist-affiliated university's 21st president. Fenves will assume office Aug. 1.
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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.
Dallas Morning News
Helping caregivers healHOUSTON — Churches should worry less about livestreaming and more about offering support to medical professionals who in this COVID-19 emergency are doing dangerous work and making agonizing decisions, says Dallas Gingles. He's the associate director of the Houston-Galveston extension program of Perkins School of Theology, a United Methodist school.
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Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Spiritual weapons to fight against COVID-19SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Christians are not powerless in the fight against a deadly virus, writes Bishop Frank Beard, who leads the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. "God has given to every believer an arsenal of weapons to be used in the spiritual battles that we face," he said in a commentary that lists seven such weapons.
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RESOURCES
Perkins School of Theology
Faith leaders speak on COVID-19DALLAS — Robert Hunt, director of Global Theological Education at Perkins School of Theology, has begun a series of podcasts about COVID-19 with faith leaders from a range of religious traditions. The first is with Azhar Azeez, past president of the Islamic Society of North America. North Texas Conference Bishop Michael McKee is a scheduled guest.
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Discipleship Ministries
Latest Upper Room issue available for free downloadNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Since churches are unable to meet and gather safely in their buildings during the coronavirus pandemic, The Upper Room is offering the May/June 2020 issue, both in English and Spanish, as a free, downloadable PDF. The Upper Room also has created a web page featuring resources to help create and maintain spiritual wellness during anxious times.
Download issue
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United Methodist Communications
Connecting with spiritual seekersNASHVILLE, Tenn. — A new survey of U.S. spiritual "seekers" ages 25-49, conducted by the Barna Group on behalf of United Methodist Communications, found willingness to visit a United Methodist church rose to 42 percent in 2019 among U.S. adults seeking more spirituality in their lives and who are aware of the denomination. That's up from 28 percent in 2017.
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