NEWS AND FEATURES
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.
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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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World Council of Churches
Supporting lifesaving community media
GENEVA — 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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Oklahoma Conference
Partnership aims to help restaurants, seniors
OKLAHOMA 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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PRESS RELEASES
Arkansas Conference
Bishop named to state's reopening task force
LITTLE 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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RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Connecting with spiritual seekers
NASHVILLE, 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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RECENT HEADLINES
Desert Southwest's claim to property upheld
COVID-19 could push the church toward change
EVENTS
Thursday, April 23
Webinar: Start planning your church's COVID-19 recovery ministry now
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