“If there's any time that humanity needs to get together, it's that time right now.” — The Rev. Jeffrey Parkkila, senior chaplain at Westminster Retirement Community in Winter Park, Florida.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Chaplains comfort and share grief during COVID-19
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — As infections and deaths from the coronavirus mount, chaplains are challenged to do their jobs in a world where physical contact is limited. Jim Patterson reports.
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How a new law helps churches amid COVID-19
DALLAS (UM News) — Under the new U.S. CARES Act, churches are eligible to apply for small business loans to keep staff on the payroll and to pay utilities. Heather Hahn reports on how the program works.
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COVID-19 challenges programs in North Macedonia
STRUMICA, North Macedonia (UM News) — Social distancing restrictions as well as panic buying due to the coronavirus pandemic are challenging a United Methodist-run social center in North Macedonia that feeds 220 elderly and disadvantaged people every day.
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Mississippi Conference
Mississippians supply needed gear to hospitals
JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi United Methodist disaster response teams are collecting and distributing needed supplies to hospital staff on the front lines. To provide personal protective equipment, volunteers are disassembling cleaning kits usually used after natural disasters. Jasmine Haynes has the story.
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UMC.org
New Easter hymn written for coronavirus era
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Just in time for Easter, popular hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written a new hymn specifically for a season in which the church and its members are dealing with the coronavirus. The prayer, when put to music, can be sung to the tune of "The Church's One Foundation." Gillette has given permission for churches to use the hymn for free during this unprecedented time.
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WNEP
Ringing church bells for coronavirus heroes
MESHOPPEN, Pa. — The bells chime at South Auburn United Methodist Church each day. Arden Tewksbury rings the bells to honor those on the front lines in the fight against the virus — health care workers and first responders, as well as the people who work in grocery stores or in sanitation. Elizabeth Worthington has the story.
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East Ohio Conference
Food distribution shifts with COVID-19
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — People still need the food distributed by North Canton Faith United Methodist Church, and with some adjustments for the COVID-19 pandemic, church members are seeing that they get it. Instead of hot meals for lunch, to-go soup, sandwiches, fruit and cookies are available. Rick Wolcott reports.
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