“Ultimately, does it still resemble worship once we put all these restrictions in place?” — The Rev. Allen Cason, pastor of Metter United Methodist Church in Metter, Georgia, on the necessary steps to reopen his church.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches have much to consider before reopening
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (UM News) — Social distancing measures that came with the coronavirus pandemic forced churches to transition to online worship and ministry. As many states lift shelter-in-place orders, churches must contemplate how — or whether — to return to in-person worship. On May 10, a few United Methodist churches held their first small in-person services since the pandemic. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Georgia shooting sparks call to end racism
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Church leaders are calling for all United Methodists to work for the complete eradication of racism in light of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed while jogging in his neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia, on Feb. 23. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Treasures in the archives: The ‘He Bible’
MADISON, N.J. — The United Methodist archives at Drew University oversees a collection of thousands of books, photos and artifacts related to Methodism. One of its most popular items is also quite rare: a 1611 first edition of the King James Bible with a very notable typo in the Book of Ruth that refers to Ruth as “he.” There are fewer than 200 known copies of the misprinted “He Bible” in existence today.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
WCC: Pray on May 14 for pandemic’s end
GENEVA — The Rev. Ioan Sauca, acting top executive of the World Council of Churches, invites all member churches, including The United Methodist Church, to observe a global prayer day on May 14. The joint initiative with the members of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity is calling for “prayer and supplication” to God for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read press release
RESOURCES
National Council of Churches, Council of Bishops
May 14 webinar among resources of hope
WASHINGTON — A May 14 webinar, “What Communities Need to Know About COVID-19 and Reopening,” is being offered by three major ecumenical groups in the U.S. The webinar, at 1:30 p.m. ET, will include representatives from the Centers for Disease Control interacting with ecumenical leaders. The United Methodist Council of Bishops is encouraging church members to take advantage of the groups’ resources, which also include a May 28 webinar and an ecumenical resource sheet.
Read announcement
To register for May 14 Zoom webinar
Religion and Race
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON — United Methodists join others across the United States in observing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has put together an infographic highlighting the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the church in the U.S.
See infographic
RECENT HEADLINES
Coronavirus hampers malaria efforts in Africa
2018 series — German Methodism: A strong Christian voice
EVENTS
Wednesday, May 13
Webinar: Loaves and Fishes — How to Inspire More From Less in Difficult Times
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches have much to consider before reopening
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (UM News) — Social distancing measures that came with the coronavirus pandemic forced churches to transition to online worship and ministry. As many states lift shelter-in-place orders, churches must contemplate how — or whether — to return to in-person worship. On May 10, a few United Methodist churches held their first small in-person services since the pandemic. Joey Butler reports.
Read story
Georgia shooting sparks call to end racism
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Church leaders are calling for all United Methodists to work for the complete eradication of racism in light of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed while jogging in his neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia, on Feb. 23. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Treasures in the archives: The ‘He Bible’
MADISON, N.J. — The United Methodist archives at Drew University oversees a collection of thousands of books, photos and artifacts related to Methodism. One of its most popular items is also quite rare: a 1611 first edition of the King James Bible with a very notable typo in the Book of Ruth that refers to Ruth as “he.” There are fewer than 200 known copies of the misprinted “He Bible” in existence today.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Council of Churches
WCC: Pray on May 14 for pandemic’s end
GENEVA — The Rev. Ioan Sauca, acting top executive of the World Council of Churches, invites all member churches, including The United Methodist Church, to observe a global prayer day on May 14. The joint initiative with the members of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity is calling for “prayer and supplication” to God for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read press release
RESOURCES
National Council of Churches, Council of Bishops
May 14 webinar among resources of hope
WASHINGTON — A May 14 webinar, “What Communities Need to Know About COVID-19 and Reopening,” is being offered by three major ecumenical groups in the U.S. The webinar, at 1:30 p.m. ET, will include representatives from the Centers for Disease Control interacting with ecumenical leaders. The United Methodist Council of Bishops is encouraging church members to take advantage of the groups’ resources, which also include a May 28 webinar and an ecumenical resource sheet.
Read announcement
To register for May 14 Zoom webinar
Religion and Race
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
WASHINGTON — United Methodists join others across the United States in observing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has put together an infographic highlighting the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the church in the U.S.
See infographic
RECENT HEADLINES
Coronavirus hampers malaria efforts in Africa
2018 series — German Methodism: A strong Christian voice
EVENTS
Wednesday, May 13
Webinar: Loaves and Fishes — How to Inspire More From Less in Difficult Times
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