NEWS AND FEATURES
United Methodists fight COVID-19 around the globe
MONROVIA, Liberia (UM News) — United Methodists around the world are fighting COVID-19, continuing important ministries and staying in connection despite social distancing. Efforts in Africa and the Philippines include making personal protective gear, raising awareness in rural areas and busy cities, breaking down myths and using experiences with Ebola to stop the spread of the virus. Communicators for UM News report.
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How a new law helps churches
DALLAS (UM News) — Under the new U.S. CARES Act, churches are eligible to apply for small business loans to keep staff on the payroll and to pay utilities. Heather Hahn reports on how the program works.
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General Council on Finance and Administration: FAQ about the law
Discipleship Ministries: The CARES Act may save your church
Chaplains comfort and share grief during COVID-19NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As infections and deaths from the coronavirus mount, chaplains are challenged to do their jobs in a world where physical contact is limited. Jim Patterson reports.Read story
Being the church at epicenter of US pandemicNEW YORK (UM News) — United Methodists in New York and New Jersey are grappling with the unwanted distinction of living at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. On the West Coast, those impacted by early outbreaks find hope that the curve is flattening. Linda Bloom has both stories.
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On West Coast, a glimmer of hope
Prayers, donations help in aftermath of storms
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — When spring storms and COVID-19 collided, a gulf opened up between eager volunteers and those who need them. Cleanup will come later, but donations top the list of needs now. Kathy L. Gilbert has the story.
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Spring storms damage two Holston Conference churches
Solar power improves hospital careKABONGO, Congo (UM News) — Doctors at Kabongo United Methodist Hospital often had to perform surgeries, deliver babies and care for sick children and emergency patients by candlelight. But that’s all changed with the addition of a new solar panel station that is providing reliable power to the hospital and building trust in the community. The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau has the story.
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Ask The UMC
How to identify public domain hymnsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Which hymns and other songs qualify as public domain is based on current copyright law in each country. Most hymns have three parts that can be copyrighted — the tune, text (lyrics) and arrangement — and each part may have different copyright dates, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications.
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COVID-19 challenges programs in North MacedoniaSTRUMICA, North Macedonia (UM News) — Social distancing restrictions as well as panic buying due to the coronavirus pandemic are challenging a United Methodist-run social center in North Macedonia that feeds 220 elderly and disadvantaged people every day.
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United Methodist Communications, Discipleship Ministries
Coming soon: Worldwide virtual Easter choirNASHVILLE, Tenn. — A virtual worldwide United Methodist Easter choir will perform "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" by Charles Wesley. Produced by Discipleship Ministries and United Methodist Communications, the video of the choir will be available for viewing or download on Friday, April 10, at www.umcdiscipleship.org and www.resourceumc.org.
UMC.org
New Easter hymn written for coronavirus eraNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Just in time for Easter, popular hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written a new hymn specifically for a season in which the church and its members are dealing with the coronavirus. The prayer, when put to music, can be sung to the tune of "The Church's One Foundation." Gillette has given permission for churches to use the hymn for free during this unprecedented time.Read story
Global Ministries
Mission continues despite pandemicATLANTA — The COVID-19 pandemic challenges the ways United Methodists usually stay connected in global mission and ministry. To show how the work continues, the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is connecting with faith leaders, health care workers, disaster response coordinators and missionaries for conversations on "Global Mission During a Pandemic." New videos are posted online every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Oklahoma Conference
Panel discusses COVID-19 outbreakOKLAHOMA CITY — In the aftermath of a COVID-19 outbreak in Ponca City, Oklahoma, a panel discusses how it happened and the risk if even small groups get together during this pandemic. Meagan Ewton, editor of publications for the Oklahoma Conference, leads the discussion.
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Mississippi Conference
Mississippians supply needed gear to hospitalsJACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi United Methodist disaster response teams are collecting and distributing needed supplies to hospital staff on the front lines. To provide personal protective equipment, volunteers are disassembling cleaning kits usually used after natural disasters. Jasmine Haynes has the story.
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WNEP
Ringing church bells for coronavirus heroesMESHOPPEN, Pa. — The bells chime at South Auburn United Methodist Church each day. Arden Tewksbury rings the bells to honor those on the front lines in the fight against the virus — health care workers and first responders, as well as the people who work in grocery stores or in sanitation. Elizabeth Worthington has the story.
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East Ohio Conference
Food distribution shifts with COVID-19NORTH CANTON, Ohio — People still need the food distributed by North Canton Faith United Methodist Church, and with some adjustments for the COVID-19 pandemic, church members are seeing that they get it. Instead of hot meals for lunch, to-go soup, sandwiches, fruit and cookies are available. Rick Wolcott reports.Read story and watch video
Michigan Conference
Haiti suffering because of COVID-19LANSING, Mich. — The nation of Haiti is suffering food shortages and other challenges because of the COVID-19 crisis, says the Rev. Karl Zeigler, chair of the Michigan Conference Haiti Covenant Partners. Kay DeMoss has the story.
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South Carolina Conference
Woman thanks church after a 'hand-up'WESTMINSTER, S.C. — For several years, Hopewell United Methodist Church helped Pam Rogers with a variety of financial and advocacy needs stemming from a series of medical issues that left her with little hope for the future. When things got better, she wanted to give back to the church community. The Rev. Jamie McDowell reports.
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No Daily Digest April 9-10There will be no Daily Digest on Maundy Thursday, April 9, or Good Friday, April 10. The Digest will return on Monday. The staff at UM News wishes you a blessed and safe Easter.
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.
North Texas Conference
From under the sea to social distancingGREENVILLE, Texas — Before entering ministry, the Rev. Chris Yost served six years in the U.S. Navy, including 423 days aboard a submarine. Yost, pastor of Greenville’s Wesley United Methodist Church, shares tips for those challenged by social distancing and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Church and Society
Shadow side of social distancingMANILA, Philippines — United Methodist Deaconess Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana reflects on how social distancing, while a public health necessity, magnifies social inequities.
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Perkins School of Theology
Preaching to an empty tombDALLAS — The Rev. Alyce McKenzie reflects on the challenge this Holy Week presents preachers, given that a pandemic has so many people stuck at home and feeling fearful and sad. "Whatever tomb we are in this Holy Week, it is not empty of God," writes McKenzie, a professor at Perkins School of Theology.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Combating loneliness amid COVID-19 crisisNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Although important for public health, social distancing and isolation practices are beginning to take a toll. Tricia Brown offers tips for church leaders to combat the loneliness experienced by their flocks, families and even themselves.
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