NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches have much to consider before reopening
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (UM News) — Social distancing measures that came with the coronavirus pandemic forced churches to transition to online worship and ministry. As many states lift shelter-in-place orders, churches must contemplate how — or whether — to return to in-person worship. On May 10, a few United Methodist churches held their first small in-person services since the pandemic. Joey Butler reports.
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Pastors guide members through pandemic
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UM News) — Although churches are closed to curb the spread of the coronavirus, United Methodist pastors in Africa and the Philippines are reaching out to members with devotional guides for at-home worship and daily words of encouragement. UM News communicators report.Read story
Methodists led response in earlier epidemicPHILADELPHIA (UM News) — When yellow fever sickened thousands and ground government to a halt in 1793, a U.S. founding father turned to two trailblazing African American Methodist leaders for help. Heather Hahn has the story.Read story
Georgia shooting sparks call to end racism
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Church leaders are calling for all United Methodists to work for the complete eradication of racism in light of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed while jogging in his neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia, on Feb. 23. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Read COB press release: Bishops condemn killing of Ahmuad Arbery
Read UMW statement
Coronavirus hampers malaria efforts in AfricaHARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic could hamper progress made fighting malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, the World Health Organization warns. As nations work to stop the spread of the coronavirus, malaria control measures have been disrupted and cases have begun to spike in some regions, including Zimbabwe, where The United Methodist Church's three mission hospitals report a sharp increase in malaria patients. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read storyTalented 10-year-old inspires others during pandemicCHITUNGWIZA, Zimbabwe (UM News) — Ten-year-old United Methodist Britney Sadete released her first gospel album just days before the country was locked down to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Now, her music is providing an escape and message of hope for those struggling during the global pandemic. Kudzai Chingwe has the story.
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Ask The UMC
What is our end goal as United Methodists?NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Salvation means much more than just assurance of being forgiven of our sins and going to heaven when we die, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications. The goal of our journey of following Christ is a life transformed, forever with God as we live into his plans for us.
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Read more Ask The UMC
United Methodist Communications
Treasures in the archives: The 'He Bible'MADISON, N.J. — The United Methodist archives at Drew University oversees a collection of thousands of books, photos and artifacts related to Methodism. One of its most popular items is also quite rare: a 1611 first edition of the King James Bible with a very notable typo in the Book of Ruth that refers to Ruth as "he." There are fewer than 200 known copies of the misprinted "He Bible" in existence today.
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United Methodist Communications
Sewing group helps battle the coronavirusSAN ANTONIO — A sewing ministry at La Trinidad United Methodist Church is helping fight the coronavirus. The Sewing for Preemies Group has produced and donated masks and surgical scrub caps to hospitals in Chicago, Houston and the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. Crystal Caviness has the story.
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National Justice for Our Neighbors
Attorney helps homeless child find familyLONG ISLAND, N.Y. — When New York Justice for Our Neighbors attorney Samantha Blecher first met 15-year-old Lupe, the teenager had already made the dangerous journey to the United States. She had spent a month in one of the Office of Refugee Resettlement shelters designed for minors and was now in the care of her half-sister. Her perilous journey has a happy ending.Read story
United Methodist Communications
Church bell rings for COVID-19 victims, heroesNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every day around noon, the bell rings at South Auburn United Methodist Church in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania. Arden Tewksbury, an 87-year-old member who grew up in this church, rings the bell to honor those lost to COVID-19, as well as doctors, nurses and first responders fighting the pandemic. Crystal Caviness reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Meet Bishop Bruce OughMINNEAPOLIS — During a youth retreat, his pastor asked a simple question. "Bruce," Bishop Ough recalls him saying, "have you ever thought about ministry?" The bishop talks about his faith journey with the Rev. Joe Iovino as part of the "Get Your Spirit in Shape" podcast.
Listen to podcast
Native American Comprehensive Plan
Preserving Native language and cultureWEOGUFKA, Ala. — United Methodist Marcus Briggs-Cloud is racing against time to revive the Maskoke Seminole language he considers key to his tribe's culture, history and identity. He has helped create an ecovillage on 577 acres of Alabama woods, "where we can be good to the earth, keep our language and culture alive and be able to live as a full-time Indian," he said. Ginny Underwood has the story.
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Memphis Conference
Handbell solo brightens worshipMEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mullins United Methodist Church was surprised during its virtual worship by a handbell solo by the congregation's organist, Andre Duvall. He played 16 bells to brighten worship with "We, Thee Adore." Mary Beth Richardson has the story.
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Watch video at 27:30 mark
PRESS RELEASES
Global Ministries
Young adult global mission class canceled for 2020ATLANTA — The 2020 international class of Global Mission Fellows, a popular United Methodist program for young adults, has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Current candidates can reapply for next year through an expedited process. The annual US-2 class is not expected to be affected in the same way.
Read press release
National Justice for Our Neighbors
States called to protect meatpacking workersDES MOINES, Iowa — United Methodist Justice for Our Neighbors centers in Iowa and Nebraska are pressing their states to protect the health and safety of meatpacking workers, most of whom are immigrants and refugees. Since early April, 10,000 COVID-19 cases have been linked to meat-processing plants, and at least 45 people have died.
Read press release
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.
Central Texas Conference
Bishop withdraws online communion supportFORT WORTH, Texas — Central Texas Conference Bishop Mike Lowry initially supported offering online communion during the COVID-19 emergency. In a self-described "mea culpa" blog post, he shares why he changed his mind.
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New England Conference
Opposed at first, bishop now backs online communionMETHUEN, Mass. — New England Conference Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar's further reflections on online communion caused him to switch to favoring it as an option for churches during the coronavirus pandemic.
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RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
Applications open for various grantsNASHVILLE, Tenn. — Discipleship Ministries offers several grant programs to further the priority of making disciples around the world. Applications for grants for Ministries with Young People and the Global Youth Service Fund are due June 1. Applications for Racial Ethnic Local Church Grants, which provide funding to strengthen ethnic congregations, are due Sept. 1.Learn more
Archives and History
Heritage Sunday resources now availableMADISON, N.J. — Worship, preaching, study and discussion resources are now available for Heritage Sunday, a denomination-wide Special Sunday to be observed May 24. "Our denominational roots and Wesleyan heart and soul — the things that have and continue to make United Methodists who they are — are important compass points to guide our living into an unanticipated, unprecedented 'new normal,'" said the Rev. Alfred T. Day, top executive of the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History.
Read press release and get resources
Religion and Race
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage MonthWASHINGTON — United Methodists join others across the United States in observing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has put together an infographic highlighting the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the church in the U.S.
See infographic
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Free guide for pastors on the move during pandemicWASHINGTON — Pastoral transitions this year will be like no others before. To help during this challenging time, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership is providing a free guide for pastors beginning ministry in a new congregation during the pandemic.
Learn more and download guide
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