“Coming together as annual conferences in worship and prayer to discern Jesus’ direction in ministry is particularly important in a time of crisis.” — Bishop Christian Alsted, Nordic and Baltic Episcopal Area.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Plans vary to get annual conference business done
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Even with COVID-19, United Methodist annual conferences around the world need to get business done by the end of the year. The regional bodies of the denomination will do that in a wide variety of ways: in-person meetings, virtual get-togethers and combinations of the two. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Partial list of annual conference changes
West Ohio Conference
United Methodists asked to become tracers
CINCINNATI — Contact tracing is a key strategy to contain the coronavirus. Some Ohio clergy and laity already have undergone training to become tracers. But more tracers are needed. Kay Panovec has the story.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Virtual small group grows connections
MINNEAPOLIS — The “How Is It With Your Soul?” group is bringing Minnesotans together while they shelter at home because of the coronavirus. Launched in March, the daily online events on Zoom attract between five and 15 people each evening for a devotion, sharing, support and dialogue. Christa Meland has the story.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Parking lot services include honking horns
LEONARDVILLE, Kan. — The Revs. Sandy and Bruce Ferguson lead six United Methodist churches in rural Riley County. The clergy couple has combined joint parking lot services with livestream broadcasts to keep worship going during the pandemic. Church members honk their horns during high points of the services. “It’s almost like Baptists yelling, ‘Amen,’” Bruce Ferguson said. David Burke reports.
Read story
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.
UM & Global
Tracking the church’s global internet presence
NEENAH, Wis. — David W. Scott, director of mission theology for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, examined the internet presence of United Methodist conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. He checked out Facebook posts, Twitter feeds and websites. The activity level varies hugely.
Read blog
RECENT HEADLINES
Talented 10-year-old inspires others during pandemic
Methodists led response in earlier epidemic
EVENTS
8:30 p.m. EDT Friday, May 15
Webinar: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly — Prophetic Voices from the Philippines
NEWS AND FEATURES
Plans vary to get annual conference business done
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — Even with COVID-19, United Methodist annual conferences around the world need to get business done by the end of the year. The regional bodies of the denomination will do that in a wide variety of ways: in-person meetings, virtual get-togethers and combinations of the two. Jim Patterson reports.
Read story
Partial list of annual conference changes
West Ohio Conference
United Methodists asked to become tracers
CINCINNATI — Contact tracing is a key strategy to contain the coronavirus. Some Ohio clergy and laity already have undergone training to become tracers. But more tracers are needed. Kay Panovec has the story.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Virtual small group grows connections
MINNEAPOLIS — The “How Is It With Your Soul?” group is bringing Minnesotans together while they shelter at home because of the coronavirus. Launched in March, the daily online events on Zoom attract between five and 15 people each evening for a devotion, sharing, support and dialogue. Christa Meland has the story.
Read story
Great Plains Conference
Parking lot services include honking horns
LEONARDVILLE, Kan. — The Revs. Sandy and Bruce Ferguson lead six United Methodist churches in rural Riley County. The clergy couple has combined joint parking lot services with livestream broadcasts to keep worship going during the pandemic. Church members honk their horns during high points of the services. “It’s almost like Baptists yelling, ‘Amen,’” Bruce Ferguson said. David Burke reports.
Read story
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.
UM & Global
Tracking the church’s global internet presence
NEENAH, Wis. — David W. Scott, director of mission theology for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, examined the internet presence of United Methodist conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. He checked out Facebook posts, Twitter feeds and websites. The activity level varies hugely.
Read blog
RECENT HEADLINES
Talented 10-year-old inspires others during pandemic
Methodists led response in earlier epidemic
EVENTS
8:30 p.m. EDT Friday, May 15
Webinar: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly — Prophetic Voices from the Philippines
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