"One of the implications of COVID-19 is that we are indeed together as a connection. And in a season of trauma, we claim our strengths — connection, mission, good news of grace." — Bishop Kenneth Carter in his final address as Council of Bishops president.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Bishops told connection key in pandemic fight
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — At a time bishops expected to be preparing for a possible denominational split, COVID-19 has put that on hold. Bishop Kenneth Carter told the United Methodist Council of Bishops that the church's connection could be critical in responding to the disease. Heather Hahn reports.
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Baltimore-Washington Conference
Chaplain shifts ministry amid outbreak
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Rev. Malcolm Frazier has seen his ministry at Asbury Methodist Village retirement community turned upside down because of the coronavirus pandemic. He still tries to engage with residents, but also does temperature checks, sometimes three or four days a week. Erik Alsgaard reports.
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Kentucky Conference
Ministry alive for college students
RICHMOND, Ky. — In Kentucky, campus ministries at seven public universities and three United Methodist colleges are finding ways to connect with students even as dorms and lecture halls stand empty. The Rev. Brandon McGinnis has the story.
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Dallas Morning News
Young pastor steps up, speaks out
DESOTO, Texas — At age 29 and not long out of Morehouse College and Perkins School of Theology, the Rev. Bryant Phelps is leading the Church of the Disciple, a United Methodist church in a ZIP code hard hit by the coronavirus. His efforts to hold the church together and speak prophetically about inequities affecting his community drew the attention of columnist Sharon Grigsby.
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Louisiana Conference
Online search ties Oregon couple to Louisiana church
NEWMAN, La. — A couple in Oregon went searching for the livestream service of a United Methodist church in their state and inadvertently connected to a Louisiana church with the identical name. They kept watching and fell in love with the Rev. Tiffanie Postell of Newman United Methodist Church, so much so that they subscribed to the video feed and even gave money to the church. Todd Rossnagel has the story.
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RESOURCES
United Methodist Publishing House
Webinars look at what's next for church
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Amplify Media, a streaming service with a Wesleyan outlook, is offering the free webinar series "Now & Next: How the Church Is Changing for Good." The first is "The State of the Church: You're Not Alone" at 2 p.m. Central Time April 30. It will look at a survey of 1,000 church leaders about the impact of COVID-19 on ministry.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
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EVENTS
Tuesday, May 5
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