“Social distancing has been a hurdle in our race to emotionally support Cyclone Idai survivors.” — The Rev. Hortencia Americo, director of connectional ministries for the Mozambique South Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
COVID-19 slows aid to Cyclone Idai survivors
MASVINGO, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 crisis has delayed aid to Cyclone Idai survivors in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, but The United Methodist Church remains committed to assisting those in need. Chenayi Kumuterera reports.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Twin Cities clergy march for justice, solidarity
ST. PAUL, Minn. — More than 30 Minnesota United Methodist pastors and hundreds of clergy from various faith traditions took part in a silent march organized by Twin Cities African American clergy and the presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Clergy were invited to attend to bear witness for justice and stand in solidarity with African American colleagues. The death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis has triggered protests and marches around the country. Christa Meland reports.
Read story
How to help
SBC21
‘Clarion call’ to denounce racism, heal trauma
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, a racial-ethnic plan of The United Methodist Church, has issued a statement, “Let Us Breathe — A Clarion Call for the Church.” The statement calls on the denomination as a whole to denounce the sin of racism and provide resources for efforts to “heal the trauma that our Black congregations and leaders have endured for so long.”
Read statement
Louisiana Conference
Getting ready for Cristobal
BATON ROUGE, La. — Tropical storm Cristobal poses an imminent threat to the Gulf Coast and churches there need to prepare, says the Rev. Elaine Burleigh of the Louisiana Conference. She offers five tips, taking into account that the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Church and Society
Call for action against racism at 2021 gathering
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society’s executive committee is directing the social justice agency to partner with the Commission on Religion and Race to plan for and implement actions at the 2021 General Conference to dismantle racism. The General Conference is set for Aug. 29-Sept. 7 in Minneapolis.
Read press release
World Council of Churches
WCC 11th assembly postponed to 2022
GENEVA —The World Council of Churches has decided, in close consultation with the Evangelical Church in Germany and other host churches and local partners, to postpone its 11th assembly — originally planned for September 2021 in Karlsruhe, Germany — until 2022. Specific dates in the second half of 2022 are under discussion.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Archives & History
Free course on preserving church history
MADISON, N.J. — Registration is open for a free course on the preservation of the history of local churches. The online class, which begins Sept. 14, will cover a wide range of skills necessary to become a complete church historian.
Read press release
Register for class
RECENT HEADLINES
Moving beyond protests to stamp out racism
Churches practice caution before reopening
EVENTS
Monday, June 8-Friday, June 19
Online class: Finding Serenity
NEWS AND FEATURES
COVID-19 slows aid to Cyclone Idai survivors
MASVINGO, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 crisis has delayed aid to Cyclone Idai survivors in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, but The United Methodist Church remains committed to assisting those in need. Chenayi Kumuterera reports.
Read story
Minnesota Conference
Twin Cities clergy march for justice, solidarity
ST. PAUL, Minn. — More than 30 Minnesota United Methodist pastors and hundreds of clergy from various faith traditions took part in a silent march organized by Twin Cities African American clergy and the presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Clergy were invited to attend to bear witness for justice and stand in solidarity with African American colleagues. The death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis has triggered protests and marches around the country. Christa Meland reports.
Read story
How to help
SBC21
‘Clarion call’ to denounce racism, heal trauma
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century, a racial-ethnic plan of The United Methodist Church, has issued a statement, “Let Us Breathe — A Clarion Call for the Church.” The statement calls on the denomination as a whole to denounce the sin of racism and provide resources for efforts to “heal the trauma that our Black congregations and leaders have endured for so long.”
Read statement
Louisiana Conference
Getting ready for Cristobal
BATON ROUGE, La. — Tropical storm Cristobal poses an imminent threat to the Gulf Coast and churches there need to prepare, says the Rev. Elaine Burleigh of the Louisiana Conference. She offers five tips, taking into account that the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Read story and watch video
PRESS RELEASES
Church and Society
Call for action against racism at 2021 gathering
WASHINGTON — The United Methodist Board of Church and Society’s executive committee is directing the social justice agency to partner with the Commission on Religion and Race to plan for and implement actions at the 2021 General Conference to dismantle racism. The General Conference is set for Aug. 29-Sept. 7 in Minneapolis.
Read press release
World Council of Churches
WCC 11th assembly postponed to 2022
GENEVA —The World Council of Churches has decided, in close consultation with the Evangelical Church in Germany and other host churches and local partners, to postpone its 11th assembly — originally planned for September 2021 in Karlsruhe, Germany — until 2022. Specific dates in the second half of 2022 are under discussion.
Read press release
RESOURCES
Archives & History
Free course on preserving church history
MADISON, N.J. — Registration is open for a free course on the preservation of the history of local churches. The online class, which begins Sept. 14, will cover a wide range of skills necessary to become a complete church historian.
Read press release
Register for class
RECENT HEADLINES
Moving beyond protests to stamp out racism
Churches practice caution before reopening
EVENTS
Monday, June 8-Friday, June 19
Online class: Finding Serenity
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