Worship

Before receiving communion, we are invited to confess and turn from a state of sin as part of the liturgy. It is only through acknowledging our sin that a process of restoration can begin. Communion elements photo by hudsoncrafted, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, United Methodist Communications.

Ask The UMC: Why do we confess our SIN, not SINS, in communion?

What is the difference between sin and sins? United Methodists confess both before celebrating Holy Communion.

Standing in front of the pulpit of John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol, England, the Rev. Jonathan Pye leads a Sept. 12 service celebrating the 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury’s crossing of the Atlantic to America. Pye is the chair of the Bristol District of the Methodist Church in Britain and deputy chair of the trustees of John Wesley’s New Room. Attendance for the service was limited to allow for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Tim Tanton, UM News.

Celebrating Asbury’s impact on 2 shores

The 250th anniversary of Francis Asbury’s crossing of the Atlantic from England to America is being celebrated jointly by the Methodist Church of Britain and The United Methodist Church.

Local Church

New mask recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the rise in the delta variant of the coronavirus affect churches' decisions on in-person worship and safety protocols. Pews image by Andrew Seaman, courtesy of Unsplash; mask image courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Churches mask up, close doors as virus spikes

As the U.S. sees a surge of the more-contagious delta variant, United Methodist churches are taking extra precautions. Congregations also are taking steps to reach vaccine holdouts.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. Wayne Dickert guides a raft down the Nantahala River near Bryson City, N.C. A 1996 U.S. Olympic kayaker and pastor of Bryson City United Methodist Church, Dickert has conducted riverside services beside the Nantahala for the past 15 years. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Ministry on the river celebrates 15 years

The Rev. Wayne “Wayner” Dickert, a 1996 U.S. Olympic kayaker and pastor, runs a riverside worship service in North Carolina. Their collection money supports clean water projects in Haiti.

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