“This thing has been hard, and it’s been bad. And it’s as bad as they claim it to be.” — The Rev. Dunford Cole on his experience with the coronavirus.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Clergy, laity tell harrowing COVID-19 stories
DALLAS (UM News) — Though many churches are taking steps to reopen, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has climbed to about 2 million, with new cases increasing in some states. Also mounting are the harrowing stories of United Methodists who have been directly affected by the coronavirus. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Twin Cities churches offer relief after unrest
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Fairmount Avenue and Hamline are among several Twin Cities-area United Methodist churches providing hands-on assistance in immediate cleanup and relief efforts while also exploring how to engage in the longer-term work of addressing the root causes of racism. Christa Meland has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops call on church to act to end racism
WASHINGTON — In the aftermath of police killings of unarmed black people, United Methodist bishops call on all fellow church members to use their voices, pens, feet and hearts to end racism. Among the actions the bishops urge is daily prayer.
Read press release
Read statement
Southeastern Jurisdiction
White bishops stand with African Americans
CRESTWOOD, Ky. — White bishops of the Southeastern Jurisdiction have issued a statement calling "upon all United Methodists to stand with and see our black brothers and sisters." The jurisdiction's bishops hope they expressed the opposite sentiments of the clergy letter that prompted the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to write "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."
Read statement
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.
Minnesota Conference
Thoughts from the inside and outside
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hundreds of clergy from many faith traditions participated in a silent march in Minneapolis, bearing witness for justice and standing in solidarity with African American colleagues after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The Rev. Shawn R. Moore, an African American clergyman who also is a former police officer, offers his perspective on the event and the role of the church moving forward.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Greater New Jersey Conference
Toolkit addresses health care disparities
NEPTUNE, N.J. — To help address racial disparities amplified by the pandemic, the Greater New Jersey Commission on Religion and Race has created a COVID-19 Health Care Disparity Toolkit for pastors to use with their congregations and local partners as they work collaboratively in communities that are suffering and hampered by inequities.
Read story
See resource
RECENT HEADLINES
COVID-19 slows aid to Cyclone Idai survivors
Pastor connects through protest hymn
EVENTS
Thursday, July 9
Webinar: Upgrading your annual campaign
NEWS AND FEATURES
Clergy, laity tell harrowing COVID-19 stories
DALLAS (UM News) — Though many churches are taking steps to reopen, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. has climbed to about 2 million, with new cases increasing in some states. Also mounting are the harrowing stories of United Methodists who have been directly affected by the coronavirus. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Twin Cities churches offer relief after unrest
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Fairmount Avenue and Hamline are among several Twin Cities-area United Methodist churches providing hands-on assistance in immediate cleanup and relief efforts while also exploring how to engage in the longer-term work of addressing the root causes of racism. Christa Meland has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Council of Bishops
Bishops call on church to act to end racism
WASHINGTON — In the aftermath of police killings of unarmed black people, United Methodist bishops call on all fellow church members to use their voices, pens, feet and hearts to end racism. Among the actions the bishops urge is daily prayer.
Read press release
Read statement
Southeastern Jurisdiction
White bishops stand with African Americans
CRESTWOOD, Ky. — White bishops of the Southeastern Jurisdiction have issued a statement calling "upon all United Methodists to stand with and see our black brothers and sisters." The jurisdiction's bishops hope they expressed the opposite sentiments of the clergy letter that prompted the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to write "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."
Read statement
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.
Minnesota Conference
Thoughts from the inside and outside
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hundreds of clergy from many faith traditions participated in a silent march in Minneapolis, bearing witness for justice and standing in solidarity with African American colleagues after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The Rev. Shawn R. Moore, an African American clergyman who also is a former police officer, offers his perspective on the event and the role of the church moving forward.
Read commentary
RESOURCES
Greater New Jersey Conference
Toolkit addresses health care disparities
NEPTUNE, N.J. — To help address racial disparities amplified by the pandemic, the Greater New Jersey Commission on Religion and Race has created a COVID-19 Health Care Disparity Toolkit for pastors to use with their congregations and local partners as they work collaboratively in communities that are suffering and hampered by inequities.
Read story
See resource
RECENT HEADLINES
COVID-19 slows aid to Cyclone Idai survivors
Pastor connects through protest hymn
EVENTS
Thursday, July 9
Webinar: Upgrading your annual campaign
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.