Children

Ruth Moreno (in red sweatshirt) and her brother, Lino, make their way to school as the sun rises behind them on the Santa Fe Bridge over the Rio Grande in Juárez, Mexico, in November 2019. They made the two-hour cross-border journey each school day to attend the United Methodist Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas, before in-person classes were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Surviving tribulations part of school’s history

Lydia Patterson is struggling with COVID-19 and a closed border, but the president of the United Methodist school said, “We have seen worse.”

Local Church

Campers and counselors explore the creek at Cedar Crest Camp in Lyles, Tenn., in 2017. Cedar Crest, like many other United Methodist camps, has suspended operations this summer due to COVID-19. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Keeping heart of camping alive during COVID-19

Because of COVID-19, many United Methodist camps have had to cancel this year. That breaks the hearts of camp leaders who know how important the experience is to faith development.

Local Church

Vacation Bible school is going virtual this year, since many churches are closed or just reopening because of the coronavirus. Vacation Bible school online program logos courtesy of (clockwise, starting top left) Cokesbury, APEX UMC FAMILY, First United Methodist Church Oviedo, Go! Children’s Ministry Curriculum; illustration by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Different vacation Bible school coming this summer

Many churches are opting for a virtual vacation Bible school for the safety and health of children and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evangelism

The Rev. Kellie Sanford (right) practices social distancing while visiting with a resident of the CC Young Senior Living community in Dallas. Sanford, a licensed local pastor in The United Methodist Church, serves as chaplain for the facility. Photo by Jennifer Griffin.

Chaplains comfort and share grief during COVID-19

As infections and deaths from the coronavirus mount, chaplains are challenged to do their jobs in a world where physical contact is forbidden.

Sign up for our newsletter!

umnews-subscriptions