Daily Digest - July 20, 2020

“None of us thought the thing we love to do would become a lethal activity.”The Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor, president of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, on the danger of group singing during the COVID-19 pandemic.


NEWS AND FEATURES 

Pandemic challenges music ministers, choirs

HOUSTON (UM News) — COVID-19 has disrupted United Methodist life in many ways, and it’s done a number on choir singing, causing music ministers to scramble to keep music going and keep sidelined choir members engaged. Sam Hodges reports.
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Kenyan pastors take worship door to door
BUSIA, Kenya (UM News) — Kenya's ban on large faith gatherings to slow the spread of the coronavirus is not preventing church leaders from spreading the Gospel. Rather than livestreaming services, rural church leaders are hitting the road to equip members with the tools they need to fellowship at home during the pandemic. Gad Maiga reports.
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United Methodist Communications
Proximity: From issues to people

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Weeks of quarantine and stay-at-home orders have given everyone a renewed appreciation of the value of proximity. United Methodist missionary Eric Soard learned about the importance of proximity — what John Wesley called “watching over one another in love” — while serving as an educator and the founder of Wesley College in Mwanza, Tanzania. Soard shared his story with the Rev. Joe Iovino on the latest episode of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast. 
Listen to episode


PRESS RELEASES

United Methodist Women
Dismantle racist systems, UMW board says 

NEW YORK — The board of directors for United Methodist Women has affirmed a statement calling for the dismantling of racist systems “in our communities, agencies, workplaces, governments and churches.”
Read press release

Discipleship Ministries
‘Inspire’ documentary wins Telly award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A documentary about a United Methodist pastor working to help a neighborhood in Germany won a prestigious award and is making the film festival circuit. “On The Brühl,” directed by Steve Horswill-Johnston of Discipleship Ministries, won a Telly Award.
Read press release
Watch documentary 


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