Iowa Annual Conference

A person reacts outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis after the guilty verdict handed down April 20 in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. While expressing the sense that the verdict was just, United Methodist leaders urged continuing work toward dismantling widespread racism and systemic injustice against people of color. Photo by Carlos Barria, Reuters.

United Methodists react to Chauvin verdict

Church leaders praised the justice of the verdict against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd, but cautioned that much work lies ahead to overcome systemic racism.

Disaster Relief

The Rev. Catie Newman prays with John W. Weaver in front of a neighbor’s wind-damaged home while a United Methodist volunteer team makes emergency repairs to his roof in Marion, Iowa. Weaver’s mobile home was severely damaged during a derecho windstorm Aug. 10. Newman is the disaster response coordinator for the Iowa Conference.

Church leads storm recovery in Iowa

United Methodist volunteers are coming from all over Iowa and other states to help following an Aug. 10 derecho windstorm that left a 700-mile path of destruction.

Mission and Ministry

Bishop John Wesley Yohanna addresses the media during the commissioning of a borehole-drilling machine at The United Methodist Church’s headquarters in Jalingo, Nigeria. The rig will provide access to clean water in rural villages. Photo by the Rev. Ande Emmanuel, UM News.

New drilling machine boosts clean water efforts

The United Methodist Church in Nigeria’s purchase of a new borehole-drilling rig offers the hope of clean water for more people in rural villages.

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.

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