“We have been in an outbreak of malaria since March and we have so many patients coming to the hospital. These include children under the age of 5 and even expecting mothers.” — Dr. Larry Tanyanyiwa on the alarming increase of malaria patients coming to United Methodist Nyadire Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe as the hospital prepares to fight COVID-19.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Coronavirus hampers malaria efforts in Africa
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic could hamper progress made fighting malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, the World Health Organization warns. As nations work to stop the spread of the coronavirus, malaria control measures have been disrupted and cases have begun to spike in some regions, including Zimbabwe, where The United Methodist Church’s three mission hospitals report a sharp increase in malaria patients. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Church bell rings for COVID-19 victims, heroes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every day around noon, the bell rings at South Auburn United Methodist Church in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania. Arden Tewksbury, an 87-year-old member who grew up in this church, rings the bell to honor those lost to COVID-19, as well as doctors, nurses and first responders fighting the pandemic. Crystal Caviness reports.
Read story
Holston Conference
Clergy moms reflect on pandemic Mother’s Day
ALCOA, Tenn. — Being a clergy mom is always tough, but when the coronavirus shut down schools and sent children home for parents to teach and entertain, the job got even more difficult. Annette Spence talks with clergy moms about the challenges and joys they face this Mother’s Day.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Meet Bishop Bruce Ough
MINNEAPOLIS — During a youth retreat, his pastor asked a simple question. “Bruce,” Bishop Ough recalls him saying, “have you ever thought about ministry?” The bishop talks about his faith journey with the Rev. Joe Iovino as part of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast.
Listen to podcast
Framingham Source
Chef uses church kitchen to feed those in need
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Using the kitchen of First United Methodist Church, a laid-off chef is creating meals for those in need and those too busy to cook during the COVID-19 crisis. With the church’s support, Diana Palmer now makes more than 200 meals a week. Sabetha LaFontant has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Methodist Council
New director for Methodist office in Rome
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Rev. Matthew Laferty, a United Methodist pastor who has been serving in Vienna, Austria, will become director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome on Sept. 1. “I have a keen interest in Christian unity and have made ministry with Christians of different denominations and theological understandings a central feature of my ministry,” Laferty said in the announcement from the World Methodist Council.
Read announcement in First Friday newsletter
RESOURCES
Texas Conference
Webinar maps out road to reopening
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — The Texas Conference will host a webinar, “The Road to Reopening the UMC,” at 2 p.m. Central time May 13. Panelists include the Revs. Ed Robb and Susan Kent of The Woodlands United Methodist Church; the Rev. Adam Hamilton of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas; the Rev. Jenn Stiles-Williams of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando, Florida, and other large-church pastors.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
COVID-19 testing czar gets home church support
Preaching creation care in the land of fracking
EVENTS
Thursday, May 21
Webinar: What Might Stewardship Look Like in the Months Ahead?
NEWS AND FEATURES
Coronavirus hampers malaria efforts in Africa
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UM News) — The COVID-19 pandemic could hamper progress made fighting malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, the World Health Organization warns. As nations work to stop the spread of the coronavirus, malaria control measures have been disrupted and cases have begun to spike in some regions, including Zimbabwe, where The United Methodist Church’s three mission hospitals report a sharp increase in malaria patients. Kudzai Chingwe reports.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Church bell rings for COVID-19 victims, heroes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every day around noon, the bell rings at South Auburn United Methodist Church in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania. Arden Tewksbury, an 87-year-old member who grew up in this church, rings the bell to honor those lost to COVID-19, as well as doctors, nurses and first responders fighting the pandemic. Crystal Caviness reports.
Read story
Holston Conference
Clergy moms reflect on pandemic Mother’s Day
ALCOA, Tenn. — Being a clergy mom is always tough, but when the coronavirus shut down schools and sent children home for parents to teach and entertain, the job got even more difficult. Annette Spence talks with clergy moms about the challenges and joys they face this Mother’s Day.
Read story
United Methodist Communications
Meet Bishop Bruce Ough
MINNEAPOLIS — During a youth retreat, his pastor asked a simple question. “Bruce,” Bishop Ough recalls him saying, “have you ever thought about ministry?” The bishop talks about his faith journey with the Rev. Joe Iovino as part of the “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast.
Listen to podcast
Framingham Source
Chef uses church kitchen to feed those in need
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Using the kitchen of First United Methodist Church, a laid-off chef is creating meals for those in need and those too busy to cook during the COVID-19 crisis. With the church’s support, Diana Palmer now makes more than 200 meals a week. Sabetha LaFontant has the story.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
World Methodist Council
New director for Methodist office in Rome
LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. — The Rev. Matthew Laferty, a United Methodist pastor who has been serving in Vienna, Austria, will become director of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome on Sept. 1. “I have a keen interest in Christian unity and have made ministry with Christians of different denominations and theological understandings a central feature of my ministry,” Laferty said in the announcement from the World Methodist Council.
Read announcement in First Friday newsletter
RESOURCES
Texas Conference
Webinar maps out road to reopening
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — The Texas Conference will host a webinar, “The Road to Reopening the UMC,” at 2 p.m. Central time May 13. Panelists include the Revs. Ed Robb and Susan Kent of The Woodlands United Methodist Church; the Rev. Adam Hamilton of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas; the Rev. Jenn Stiles-Williams of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Orlando, Florida, and other large-church pastors.
To register
RECENT HEADLINES
COVID-19 testing czar gets home church support
Preaching creation care in the land of fracking
EVENTS
Thursday, May 21
Webinar: What Might Stewardship Look Like in the Months Ahead?
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