New York Annual Conference

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

Sailors on the hospital ship USNS Comfort raise the colors while the ship is moored in New York Harbor in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts. United Methodist leaders are painting a sobering picture of the coronavirus impact on New York and New Jersey. “This is our new 9/11 in New York,” said New York Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sara Eshleman, U.S. Navy.

Being the church at epicenter of US pandemic

United Methodist leaders paint a sobering picture of the coronavirus impact on New York and New Jersey but also show the church is still at work.

General Church

The Rev. Gary Graves addresses the 2020 pre-General Conference Briefing in Nashville, Tenn. Graves was part of a meeting that discussed plans for late-arriving legislation and difficulties with delegates receiving needed visas. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Plans for late-arriving GC2020 legislation

The group that organizes General Conference also received an update on challenges that U.S. actions are presenting in getting visas for delegates.

Social Concerns

Newly ordained deacons lead the benediction at the end of the ordination service during the New York Annual Conference meeting at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. From left are the Revs. Arletha (Lisa) Miles Boyce, Lea A. Matthews and Janet L. Cox. Matthews says she sees her ministry as a helping hand to marginalized people in the world, including LGBTQ people like herself and her wife. Photo by Stephanie Parsons, NYAC.

LGBTQ deacon ordained by New York Conference

The Rev. Lea Matthews says her ordination was a day of joy, but not without difficulty. She is the latest LGBTQ person to be ordained in The United Methodist Church.

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