“I know from my background in psychology that we don’t make our best decisions as human beings when we’re under stress. This might not be the best time to change our perspective on the theology around communion.” — Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi on the question of allowing online communion during the coronavirus emergency.
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.
Read story
Clinic offers lifeline in impoverished community
KOPANGA, 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.
Read story
Global Ministries
Funding resumes for approved grants
ATLANTA — 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.
Read story
South Carolina Advocate
Learning from a quarantine
COLUMBIA, 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.
Read story
Tennessee Conference
Churches reach out to older adults
NASHVILLE, 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.
Read story
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.”
Read statement
The Upper Room
Spirituality classes delayed
NASHVILLE, 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.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops told connection key in pandemic fight
Helping Native communities amid COVID-19 crisis
EVENTS
Thursday, May 21
Webinar: What might stewardship look like in the months ahead?
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.
Read story
Clinic offers lifeline in impoverished community
KOPANGA, 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.
Read story
Global Ministries
Funding resumes for approved grants
ATLANTA — 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.
Read story
South Carolina Advocate
Learning from a quarantine
COLUMBIA, 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.
Read story
Tennessee Conference
Churches reach out to older adults
NASHVILLE, 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.
Read story
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.”
Read statement
The Upper Room
Spirituality classes delayed
NASHVILLE, 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.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Bishops told connection key in pandemic fight
Helping Native communities amid COVID-19 crisis
EVENTS
Thursday, May 21
Webinar: What might stewardship look like in the months ahead?
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