"I truly believe in living one's faith and this campsite is living our faith." — The Rev. Don Ford, pastor of Harmony United Methodist Church in Coos Bay, Oregon, on homeless people camping in the church parking lot.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Churches extend helping hands to homeless
MACON, Ga. (UM News) — From helping people file for the government's coronavirus aid checks to turning a church parking lot into a tent camp, United Methodist churches are finding new and different ways to help those who are homeless or living in poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kathy L. Gilbert reports.
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New General Conference dates announced
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — Organizers have confirmed that the next General Conference will be Aug. 29-Sept. 7, 2021, in Minneapolis, despite pleas that the decision-making body not meet at the start of the academic year. Heather Hahn reports.
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Read General Conference press release
Read Council of Bishops press release
Michigan Conference
Great Lakes Bay Region flooding affects up to 12,000
LANSING, Mich. — United Methodists are praying and assessing needs after historic flooding affecting 10,000 to 12,000 in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has provided a $10,000 grant that will assist the conference's immediate response. Bishop David Bard said conference staff and volunteers are coordinating a response with UMCOR and state and local agencies.
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Read Bishop Bard's appeal
Oklahoma Conference
TV special shows United Methodist impact
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Conference produced a 30-minute television special called "Hope for the Heartland: Stories of Inspiration from The United Methodist Church" that aired May 24 on CBS and ABC affiliates in the state. The video can now be viewed on the conference website.
Watch video
North Carolina Health News
Churches help with rural internet access
ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. — With the coronavirus pandemic highlighting rural broadband needs, United Methodist churches have set their sights on increasing access in their communities. Liora Engel-Smith reports how churches are helping in an area where close to half of the households lack internet connections.
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Chicago Tribune
Libertyville Sunday school holds Kindness Parade for residents
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. — Turning Sunday school lessons into action, a group of United Methodist students and their parents conducted a Kindness Parade, waving to residents from their cars. James T. Norman has the story.
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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.
Celebrating Asian/Pacific American heritage
WASHINGTON (UM News) — Reflecting on Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, the Rev. Grace S. Pak remembers her own story as an immigrant growing up in the U.S. but still not feeling welcome. In the wake of rising xenophobia in response to the coronavirus, Pak writes that this is a time to reflect on how "we are all in this together."
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Florida Conference
Why reopening a church is different
LAKELAND, Fla. — Planning for the future during COVID-19 presents challenges for the church unlike any experienced by business, writes the Rev. Alex A. Shanks. He suggests practical and theological principles churches should consider before reopening church campuses.
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RECENT HEADLINES
United Methodist ministry aids Navajo Nation
Reclaiming more food to fill pandemic gaps
EVENTS
Thursday, May 28-Sunday, May 31
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