Global Health

Susan Logan worships in an empty pew section at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, March 15, 2020, after church leadership encouraged people to worship from home via video livestream in response to the coronavirus. In keeping with the Metropolitan Nashville mayor’s “Safer at Home” directive, the church building has since been closed. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Weddings, funerals altered by virus restrictions

United Methodist funerals, memorial services, weddings are getting postponed or downsized in emergency period.

A delegate handles prayer beads during prayer at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore. With the coronavirus delaying the 2020 General Conference, church leaders hope United Methodists can experience more time to pray and be the church. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

In GC2020 delay, leaders see needed pause

General Conference delegates and bishops see the postponement as necessary. Responding to COVID-19 pandemic now takes priority.

Global Health

The Minneapolis Convention Center — scheduled to host the 2020 General Conference — announced it is now canceling gatherings of 50 or more people through May 10. The decision comes as General Conference organizers already were considering postponement. Photo by Dan Anderson, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Church leaders postpone 2020 General Conference

With the venue that was scheduled to host is canceling large events through May 10, General Conference organizers decided they have no choice but to find new dates.

Mission and Ministry

A visitor to United Methodist Mercy Hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone, washes his hands at a wash station before entering the hospital on March 16. Amid coronavirus concerns, the use of handwashing stations, previously used during the country’s fight against Ebola, has been stepped up in public places, including hospitals, banks and schools. Photo by Phileas Jusu, UM News.

Ebola offers lessons in fighting coronavirus in Sierra Leone

United Methodist hospitals among those gearing up as coronavirus concerns grow in the West African country.

Sign up for our newsletter!

umnews-subscriptions