NEWS AND FEATURES
Both green light, red light for online communion
DALLAS (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic, consequential in so many ways, has prompted debate about and experimentation with online communion across The United Methodist Church. Bishops have weighed in differently about the practice. Sam Hodges reports.
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Bishops told connection key in pandemic fight
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — At a time when bishops expected to be preparing for a possible denominational split, COVID-19 has put that on hold. Bishop Kenneth Carter told the United Methodist Council of Bishops that the church's connection could be critical in responding to the disease. Heather Hahn reports.Read story
In Europe, closing church can mean opening to othersMOSCOW (UM News) — The coronavirus crisis brings far-flung United Methodists in Eurasia together for worship; stimulates community contact in Norway; allows for new ways to carry on old traditions in Germany and propels a homebound mask-making venture in Slovakia. A UM News report.Read story
Pandemic threatening ministry with migrants
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (UM News) — United Methodists are still providing aid to migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., but the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered their efforts by ending face-to-face interaction with those living in camps. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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More UM News: Ministry with migrants
Church members among dead in Congo floodingUVIRA, Congo (UM News) — United Methodists are among the thousands affected by devastating flooding that has left at least 40 people dead and hundreds of homes destroyed in the East Congo Episcopal Area. Two church members died and two primary schools run by the church were washed away. Philippe Kituka Lolonga and Chadrack Tambwe Londe report.
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Clinic offers lifeline in impoverished communityKOPANGA, Kenya (UM News) — At Kopanga Methodist Health Center, the maternity room measures slightly more than 18 by 30 feet, but it is not uncommon to open the door and find as many as nine mothers and their babies patiently waiting for their turn with the provider. The facility also is an anti-retroviral clinic for HIV patients. Gad Maiga reports.
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Ask The UMC
How far back does Christian baptism go?NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christian baptism dates to the beginning of the church itself. The Pentecost celebration after Jesus' resurrection, often called the "birthday of the church," records thousands of people baptized that day. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, has more on the history of baptism.
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Church university aids in COVID-19 fightLUANDA, Angola (UM News) — The United Methodist Church has turned over a campus of its Methodist University of Angola for use as a COVID-19 testing and treatment center. The church also is developing a campaign to deliver food baskets to communities facing food shortages amid the country’s lockdown. Orlando da Cruz reports.
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Global Ministries
Funding resumes for approved grantsATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries has lifted the temporary hold placed in March on approved grants, including allocations by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. The grants will be released throughout 2020, based on cash-flow projections. Elliott Wright reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Chaplain shifts ministry amid outbreakGAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Rev. Malcolm Frazier has seen his ministry at Asbury Methodist Village retirement community turned upside down because of the coronavirus pandemic. He still tries to engage with residents, but also does temperature checks, sometimes three or four days a week. Erik Alsgaard reports.Read story
South Carolina Advocate
Learning from a quarantineCOLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Conference is sharing brief stories of how its pastors and churches are persevering during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rev. Smoke Kanipe has done a sermon series on the crisis, including one sermon titled "Everything I Needed to Know I Learned From Quarantine." Jessica Brodie reports.
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Kentucky Conference
Ministry alive for college studentsRICHMOND, Ky. — In Kentucky, campus ministries at seven public universities and three United Methodist colleges are finding ways to connect with students even as dorms and lecture halls stand empty. The Rev. Brandon McGinnis has the story.
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Tennessee Conference
Churches reach out to older adultsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — While much of the state has shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Middle Tennessee United Methodist churches are actively responding to the needs of the most vulnerable population: older adults. The Rev. Richard H. Gentzler Jr., director of ENCORE Ministry, points to examples of successful ministries.
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Dallas Morning News
Young pastor steps up, speaks outDESOTO, Texas — At age 29 and not long out of Morehouse College and Perkins School of Theology, the Rev. Bryant Phelps is leading the Church of the Disciple, a United Methodist church in a ZIP code hard hit by the coronavirus. His efforts to hold the church together and speak prophetically about inequities affecting his community drew the attention of columnist Sharon Grigsby.
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Louisiana Conference
Online search ties Oregon couple to Louisiana churchNEWMAN, La. — A couple in Oregon went searching for the livestream service of a United Methodist church in their state and inadvertently connected to a Louisiana church with the identical name. They kept watching and fell in love with the Rev. Tiffanie Postell of Newman United Methodist Church, so much so that they subscribed to the video feed and even gave money to the church. Todd Rossnagel has the story.
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Michigan Conference
Detroit center adapts for COVID-19DETROIT — Cass Community United Methodist and partner Cass Community Social Services have been helping Detroit's low-income population deal with the coronavirus. Adjustments include making the lunch program carryout. The church and its ministries have been making a difference for the poor since the Great Depression. John E. Harnish reports.
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Northern Illinois Conference
Mohawks, dog tricks and help for people out of workMENDOTA, Ill. — Pastors and other United Methodists are finding creative ways to connect and help people who are struggling financially during the pandemic. For example, the Rev. Mary Bohall gave her husband a Mohawk haircut to raise funds for grocery gift cards. Anne Marie Gerhardt has the story.
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South Georgia Conference
12-member church makes big differenceCOLLINS, Ga. — Collins United Methodist Church may be small, but it is mighty. Even amid the coronavirus crisis, the congregation — which calls itself The 12 Disciples — continues to serve its community with blessings. Kara Witherow has the story.
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PRESS RELEASES
National Council of Churches
NCC: Virus crisis can lead to 'bold new future'WASHINGTON — The coronavirus pandemic "shines a light on our ability as a nation and as a people to rally together in a time of crisis," says a statement by the governing board of the National Council of Churches. While commending this effort, the statement continued, "We must also name the injustices and challenges that we confront."
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The Upper Room
Spirituality classes delayedNASHVILLE, Tenn. — A two-year bilingual program designed to promote balance and inner peace has been postponed because of the COVID-19 threat. The Academy for Spiritual Formation meetings were set to begin this August in San Antonio. The new start date is Aug. 9, 2021.
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Wespath Benefits and Investments
Pension agency's steps during COVID-19 crisisGLENVIEW, Ill. — Wespath is instituting two premium relief programs to help conferences to better support local ministry needs and churches, without interrupting coverage. That is among the steps the denomination’s pension and benefits agency is taking to help churches and their pastors.
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Connectional Table
Leadership body unveils new websiteCHICAGO — The Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church has launched a new website, www.umcct.org, to provide a clear understanding of its work and resources for ministry throughout the connection. The Connectional Table coordinates the mission, vision and ministries of the denomination.
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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.
Council of Bishops
Pandemic spurs house churches, solidarityKITWE, Zambia — Christ's apostles encountered their own challenges in making worship a communal experience, Bishop Mande Muyombo writes in a commentary. In confronting the coronavirus pandemic, the bishop urges reclaiming the tradition of house churches and staying focused on the common fight against the disease.Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Communicating with the unpluggedNASHVILLE, Tenn. — COVID-19 has meant online church and virtual communications for United Methodists. But how do churches stay in touch with those who aren't online or smartphone savvy? Eric Seiberling offers suggestions including calling circles, handwritten letters and sidewalk chalk.
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United Methodist Publishing House
Webinars look at what's next for churchNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Amplify Media, a streaming service with a Wesleyan outlook, is offering the free webinar series "Now & Next: How the Church Is Changing for Good." The series is based on a survey of 1,000 church leaders about the impact of COVID-19 on ministry.
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