“We’ve always shared stories orally. Podcasts are just a new method for doing it.” — The Rev. Todd Rossnagel, director of communications for the Louisiana Conference
NEWS AND FEATURES
Podcasts give churches ‘germ-free’ way to minister
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As ongoing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 keep in-person gatherings from happening, United Methodists continue to find new ways to connect and minister online. If they weren’t already podcasting, many are starting to do so. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Wrestling with budget after GC2020 postponed
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — After the pandemic-forced postponement of General Conference, United Methodist financial leaders grappled with how to handle the denomination’s budget after 2020. Their goal: To stay within the bounds of church rules while recognizing the new economic realities experienced across the denomination. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
CBS 11
Church hires laid-off catering workers
DALLAS — Highland Park United Methodist Church is providing 1,200 lunches a day to area shelters, and instead of volunteers doing the food prep, the church has hired catering firm workers laid off because of coronavirus restrictions. The Rev. Paul Rasmussen, pastor, describes what he calls a “win-win” initiative in an interview with Dallas’ TV station CBS 11.
Watch video
World Council of Churches
A visionary missionary heads home
GENEVA — After more than 30 years as a pastor, ecumenist and church leader, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit firmly believes that the church can change the world. As the top executive of the World Council of Churches for the past 10 years, he has engaged with people of faith around the globe in pursuit of that belief, including United Methodists such as Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, the WCC’s co-vice moderator. Claus Grue has the story.
Read story
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
UMC in Central and Southern Europe
Helping European United Methodists through crisis
ZURICH — The coronavirus crisis has changed life dramatically in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania in recent days. Many people are now worried about the inadequate health care system and the supply of essential goods. But — as Urs Schweizer, assistant to United Methodist Bishop Patrick Streiff, points out — United Methodist congregations in these countries are trying to respond with confidence, creativity and great commitment.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Advice for churches on Facebook groups
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many churches have Facebook pages now, but Facebook group pages may be new to them. United Methodist Communications offers a tutorial online to help church communications leaders get started.
Learn more
5 tweaks for online church services
RECENT HEADLINES
Weddings, funerals altered by virus restrictions
Commentary: Possible steps after General Conference delay
EVENTS
Thursday, April 23
Webinar: Start planning your church’s COVID-19 recovery ministry
NEWS AND FEATURES
Podcasts give churches ‘germ-free’ way to minister
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As ongoing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 keep in-person gatherings from happening, United Methodists continue to find new ways to connect and minister online. If they weren’t already podcasting, many are starting to do so. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Wrestling with budget after GC2020 postponed
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — After the pandemic-forced postponement of General Conference, United Methodist financial leaders grappled with how to handle the denomination’s budget after 2020. Their goal: To stay within the bounds of church rules while recognizing the new economic realities experienced across the denomination. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
CBS 11
Church hires laid-off catering workers
DALLAS — Highland Park United Methodist Church is providing 1,200 lunches a day to area shelters, and instead of volunteers doing the food prep, the church has hired catering firm workers laid off because of coronavirus restrictions. The Rev. Paul Rasmussen, pastor, describes what he calls a “win-win” initiative in an interview with Dallas’ TV station CBS 11.
Watch video
World Council of Churches
A visionary missionary heads home
GENEVA — After more than 30 years as a pastor, ecumenist and church leader, the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit firmly believes that the church can change the world. As the top executive of the World Council of Churches for the past 10 years, he has engaged with people of faith around the globe in pursuit of that belief, including United Methodists such as Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, the WCC’s co-vice moderator. Claus Grue has the story.
Read story
COMMENTARIES
UM News includes in the Daily Digest various commentaries about issues in the denomination. The opinion pieces reflect a variety of viewpoints and are the opinions of the writers, not the UM News staff.
UMC in Central and Southern Europe
Helping European United Methodists through crisis
ZURICH — The coronavirus crisis has changed life dramatically in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania in recent days. Many people are now worried about the inadequate health care system and the supply of essential goods. But — as Urs Schweizer, assistant to United Methodist Bishop Patrick Streiff, points out — United Methodist congregations in these countries are trying to respond with confidence, creativity and great commitment.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
United Methodist Communications
Advice for churches on Facebook groups
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many churches have Facebook pages now, but Facebook group pages may be new to them. United Methodist Communications offers a tutorial online to help church communications leaders get started.
Learn more
5 tweaks for online church services
RECENT HEADLINES
Weddings, funerals altered by virus restrictions
Commentary: Possible steps after General Conference delay
EVENTS
Thursday, April 23
Webinar: Start planning your church’s COVID-19 recovery ministry
Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.