Daily Digest - April 3, 2020

“This is our new 9/11 in New York.” — New York Area Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton.
 
“If New York and New Jersey were nations, New York would be No. 5 in the world and New Jersey would be No. 8 in terms of the number of cases.” — Greater New Jersey Area Bishop John R. Schol.


NEWS AND FEATURES

Being the church at epicenter of US pandemic
NEW YORK (UM News) — United Methodists in New York and New Jersey are grappling with the unwanted distinction of living at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. On the West Coast, those impacted by early outbreaks find hope that the curve is flattening. Linda Bloom has both stories.
Read story
On West Coast, a glimmer of hope

Holston Conference
Spring storms damage two churches
KODAK, Tenn. — The pastors of two Knoxville-area churches damaged by spring storms say they are thankful no one was hurt and the interiors were mostly spared. Lightning sparked a fire in one church and a tree fell on the other. Annette Spence has the story. 
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South Carolina Conference
Woman thanks church after a ‘hand-up’
WESTMINSTER, S.C. — For several years, Hopewell United Methodist Church helped Pam Rogers with a variety of financial and advocacy needs stemming from a series of medical issues that left her with little hope for the future. When things got better, she wanted to give back to the church community. On Feb. 23, Rogers cooked a “thank you” spaghetti dinner for the congregation. The Rev. Jamie McDowell reports.
Read story


PRESS RELEASES

Finance and Administration 
How the CARES Act affects churches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. CARES Act is lengthy legislation intended to provide emergency assistance amid the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Among other things, it expands unemployment insurance and establishes loans that churches might use. The General Council on Finance and Administration has compiled answers to frequently asked questions about the law.
Read FAQ
Discipleship Ministries: The CARES Act may save your church

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.

Church and Society 
Shadow side of social distancing 
MANILA, Philippines — United Methodist Deaconess Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana reflects on how social distancing, while a public health necessity, magnifies social inequities.
Read commentary
 

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EVENTS

Monday, April 20-Friday, May 1
Online class: Having difficult congregational conversations