Greater Northwest Episcopal Area

Wildfires burn during a mid-August night near Susanville, Calif. A series of wildfires has destroyed more than 30,000 acres of land around Susanville. Photo by Doug Magill, U.S. Army.

Fires, coronavirus complicate Western disaster relief

After a hurricane or tornado, church disaster relief teams and volunteers typically spring into action. Such a response isn’t possible in wildfires.

Mission and Ministry

Custodian James Jimmerson disinfects the chancel area to prevent any possible spread of the coronavirus at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, May 10, 2020, after online worship, which is recorded in the chapel. Bishops are setting guidelines, including standards for cleaning, and recommending what they think are appropriate times for the churches in their conference to reopen. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Churches practice caution before reopening

United Methodist bishops are setting guidelines and recommending times for the churches in their conference to reopen — recommendations that are not necessarily the same as what their state governments are allowing.

Mission and Ministry

Custodian James Jimmerson disinfects pews to prevent any possible spread of the coronavirus at Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, May 10, 2020, after online worship, which was recorded in the sanctuary. As churches consider returning to in-person worship, cleaning measures are one of many factors leaders will need to consider. “I believe my job, my part in this, is to make sure people are safe in here,” Jimmerson said. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Churches have much to consider before reopening

As many states’ shelter-in-place orders are being lifted, churches contemplate how — or whether — to return to in-person worship.

General Church

The Rev. Joe Kim, Bothell United Methodist Church, Washington, presents his table’s concept for a visioning team to take ideas from the summit and make a report to the 2020 Western Jurisdiction. Photo by Charmaine Robledo.

Gathering dreams of inclusive future

Members of the Fresh United Methodism Summit worked through hundreds of ideas in effort to dream of a new form of Methodism for Western Jurisdiction.

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