“There’s very little that looks like normal.” — Heidi Levine, vice president for student development and planning at United Methodist-related Simpson College, on beginning fall term amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Colleges, seminaries reopen amid COVID-19
ABILENE, Texas (UM News) — Across United Methodist-related higher education — including 13 seminaries and 112 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone — there’s a scramble on to reopen safely for fall term amid the ongoing pandemic. Many schools resume this week. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Texas Conference
Church food pantry feeds 100,000-plus
HOUSTON — A food pantry at Chapelwood United Methodist Church’s Fair Haven campus has served more than 100,000 people since the pandemic arrived in March. Other Houston-area churches have been part of the food bank’s volunteer force. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story
Global Ministries
Virus doesn’t stop rural ministry outreach
BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. — The coronavirus has altered but not stopped the busy work of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Area Cooperative Ministry — made up of nine rural, mostly African American United Methodist churches — in outreach, witness, service, Christian education and leadership development. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
WTVF-Channel 5
Choir brings outdoor caroling to homebound
MADISON, Tenn. — The choir at City Road Chapel United Methodist is singing hymns to parishioners who are unable to safely leave the house during the pandemic. The choir, wearing masks and staying at a distance outside, visits homes on Wednesday nights.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Missouri Conference
Grants available for Little Free Libraries
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Conference is offering $250 grants to churches that want to build and stock a Little Free Library in their area. The goal is to connect 100,000 students with 100,000 books.
Read press release
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.
Des Moines Register
Bells toll for coronavirus victims
DES MOINES, Iowa — West Des Moines United Methodist Church is honoring coronavirus victims by ringing its church bell once for each Iowan who has died in the pandemic. Columnist Courtney Crowder reflects on the destruction COVID-19 has wrought in the community.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
African schools adapt to health requirements
Bishop Yambasu’s funeral set for Sept. 6
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Promise of Advent webinar: Reimagining Advent church services
Thursday, Sept. 10
Webinar: A closer look at the offering
NEWS AND FEATURES
Colleges, seminaries reopen amid COVID-19
ABILENE, Texas (UM News) — Across United Methodist-related higher education — including 13 seminaries and 112 colleges and universities in the U.S. alone — there’s a scramble on to reopen safely for fall term amid the ongoing pandemic. Many schools resume this week. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Texas Conference
Church food pantry feeds 100,000-plus
HOUSTON — A food pantry at Chapelwood United Methodist Church’s Fair Haven campus has served more than 100,000 people since the pandemic arrived in March. Other Houston-area churches have been part of the food bank’s volunteer force. Lindsay Peyton reports.
Read story
Global Ministries
Virus doesn’t stop rural ministry outreach
BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. — The coronavirus has altered but not stopped the busy work of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Area Cooperative Ministry — made up of nine rural, mostly African American United Methodist churches — in outreach, witness, service, Christian education and leadership development. Christie R. House reports.
Read story
WTVF-Channel 5
Choir brings outdoor caroling to homebound
MADISON, Tenn. — The choir at City Road Chapel United Methodist is singing hymns to parishioners who are unable to safely leave the house during the pandemic. The choir, wearing masks and staying at a distance outside, visits homes on Wednesday nights.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Missouri Conference
Grants available for Little Free Libraries
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Conference is offering $250 grants to churches that want to build and stock a Little Free Library in their area. The goal is to connect 100,000 students with 100,000 books.
Read press release
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.
Des Moines Register
Bells toll for coronavirus victims
DES MOINES, Iowa — West Des Moines United Methodist Church is honoring coronavirus victims by ringing its church bell once for each Iowan who has died in the pandemic. Columnist Courtney Crowder reflects on the destruction COVID-19 has wrought in the community.
Read commentary
RECENT HEADLINES
African schools adapt to health requirements
Bishop Yambasu’s funeral set for Sept. 6
EVENTS
Tuesday, Aug. 25
Promise of Advent webinar: Reimagining Advent church services
Thursday, Sept. 10
Webinar: A closer look at the offering
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