“We are in an unprecedented health crisis that requires us to adapt our ministries.” — Arkansas Conference COVID-19 response statement.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Weddings, funerals altered by virus restrictions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The coronavirus spread has prompted many United Methodist churches to shift to online worship. But other big events — weddings, baptisms, funerals, memorial services — are on hold or getting downsized. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
The Indiana Gazette, East Ohio Conference
Drive-in worship, food pantries
INDIANA, Pa. — Drive-in food pantries and inventive worship techniques are some of the ways churches such as Grace United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania and Westbrook Park United Methodist Church in Ohio are responding to government limits on gatherings because of the coronavirus.
Read Indiana Gazette story
Read East Ohio Conference story
Missouri Conference
Ministry to residents of extended-stay motels
BRANSON, Mo. — When Peggy Egbert became director of Caring Ministries at Branson United Methodist Church, the ministry consisted of hospital calls and visits with shut-in church members. But her suggestion to be in ministry with people living in extended-stay motels changed everything.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
National Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
Protect life during coronavirus crisis
WASHINGTON — Ecumenical leaders are urging people everywhere to give the highest priority to protecting life during the coronavirus crisis. “Ours is a global church, and this is an international crisis impacting oikumene, the whole inhabited world,” said Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and top executive of the U.S. National Council of Churches. “The God of love is calling us together, and it is God’s love that will see us through.”
Read press release
Read full statement
Church and Society
Living undocumented during COVID-19
WASHINGTON — Karely Amaya, a second-year student at UCLA, reflects on her experience as an undocumented student during COVID-19 and how people of faith can take action to protect others during this public health crisis. Amaya — a member of the Wesley Foundation's 580 Cafe who was originally scheduled to start a Church and Society internship on March 24 — talks with Rebecca Cole.
Watch video
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Course helps churches stay connected through Zoom
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pastors and lay leaders can use digital tools to connect with their congregations remotely, and one of the most popular is Zoom, a video-conferencing program. “Zoom for Churches” is a new training resource from United Methodist Communications on how churches can use Zoom to engage members and strengthen community.
See resource
RECENT HEADLINES
Helping children during COVID-19 crisis
Series: Singing the gospel in Côte d’Ivoire
EVENTS
Monday, April 13-Saturday, May 23
Online class: Building relationships through youth ministry
NEWS AND FEATURES
Weddings, funerals altered by virus restrictions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — The coronavirus spread has prompted many United Methodist churches to shift to online worship. But other big events — weddings, baptisms, funerals, memorial services — are on hold or getting downsized. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
The Indiana Gazette, East Ohio Conference
Drive-in worship, food pantries
INDIANA, Pa. — Drive-in food pantries and inventive worship techniques are some of the ways churches such as Grace United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania and Westbrook Park United Methodist Church in Ohio are responding to government limits on gatherings because of the coronavirus.
Read Indiana Gazette story
Read East Ohio Conference story
Missouri Conference
Ministry to residents of extended-stay motels
BRANSON, Mo. — When Peggy Egbert became director of Caring Ministries at Branson United Methodist Church, the ministry consisted of hospital calls and visits with shut-in church members. But her suggestion to be in ministry with people living in extended-stay motels changed everything.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
National Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
Protect life during coronavirus crisis
WASHINGTON — Ecumenical leaders are urging people everywhere to give the highest priority to protecting life during the coronavirus crisis. “Ours is a global church, and this is an international crisis impacting oikumene, the whole inhabited world,” said Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and top executive of the U.S. National Council of Churches. “The God of love is calling us together, and it is God’s love that will see us through.”
Read press release
Read full statement
Church and Society
Living undocumented during COVID-19
WASHINGTON — Karely Amaya, a second-year student at UCLA, reflects on her experience as an undocumented student during COVID-19 and how people of faith can take action to protect others during this public health crisis. Amaya — a member of the Wesley Foundation's 580 Cafe who was originally scheduled to start a Church and Society internship on March 24 — talks with Rebecca Cole.
Watch video
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Course helps churches stay connected through Zoom
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pastors and lay leaders can use digital tools to connect with their congregations remotely, and one of the most popular is Zoom, a video-conferencing program. “Zoom for Churches” is a new training resource from United Methodist Communications on how churches can use Zoom to engage members and strengthen community.
See resource
RECENT HEADLINES
Helping children during COVID-19 crisis
Series: Singing the gospel in Côte d’Ivoire
EVENTS
Monday, April 13-Saturday, May 23
Online class: Building relationships through youth ministry
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