"Our hope is that families will start their VBS day watching the video, and then digging into their boxes to do as little or as many of the activities they want to." — Amanda Garman on Highland Park United Methodist Church's virtual vacation Bible school in Dallas.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Different vacation Bible school coming this summer
DALLAS (UM News) — Many churches are opting for a virtual vacation Bible school for the safety and health of children and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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Missouri Conference
Pastors join protests in Missouri
ST. LOUIS — After a few months of their ministry primarily being online, many United Methodist pastors took to the streets to be part of the protests calling for justice after the death of George Floyd. The Rev. Matt Miofsky, lead pastor of The Gathering, a multisite church, was among those at a peaceful protest June 1. The city experienced a wave of violence that night. Fred Koenig reports.
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South Carolina Conference
Church innovations amid COVID-19
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — The pandemic prompted Brookland United Methodist Church to start a new contemporary worship service on Facebook Live. As South Carolina churches prepare for in-person worship, Jessica Brodie writes about the innovations congregations have embraced since March.
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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.
Florida Conference
Pastors describe 'The Threat of Blackness'
LAKELAND, Fla. — Following the February shooting of Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia, the Florida Conference invited four black clergymen to reflect on that tragedy, their own experiences with racism, and the need for the church to confront its own struggles. As their thoughts were being published in an essay "The Threat of Blackness," news of the deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of police emerged. "When I scream, 'Black Lives Matter!' it's not enough. I need my white clergy friends to stand with me," writes the Rev. Gary A. Marcelin, one of the contributors.
Read reflections
RESOURCES
Discipleship Ministries
How churches regather in tough times
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As United Methodists make plans to regather for in-person worship, Discipleship Ministries will hold a virtual conference designed to prepare congregations to navigate challenges of the pandemic and racism. The conference is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central time June 9.
To register
World Council of Churches
New resources to usher in 2020 Season of Creation
GENEVA — A new guide for eco-theological worship resources and activities for the 2020 Season of Creation liturgical season, held annually between Sept. 1 and Oct. 4, is now available. A webinar, "Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope," is planned for June 8.
Read press release
RECENT HEADLINES
Church aids flood survivors in Congo
Pastor connects through protest hymn
EVENTS
Sunday, June 7
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