“With the proper preparation and training, I believe a General Conference could be held virtually.” — Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, Council of Bishops president and leader of the Louisiana Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
Should General Conference go virtual?
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — With COVID-19 still on the rise, a number of United Methodists urge that General Conference organizers plan for the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly to transpire online. Others worry that internet connectivity and accessibility issues might put some delegates out of reach. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Nigeria bishop calls for dialogue on police reform
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna is calling on the government to address the protests going on in the country through dialogue rather than police and military forces. According to Amnesty International, the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 protesters on Oct. 20. Several United Methodist pastors said they were witnesses to the violence. The Rev. Ande Emmanuel reports.
Read story
Greater Northwest Conference
Wildfires, COVID-19 put communities in survival mode
PORTLAND, Ore. — For the Hispanic and Latinx migrant communities working the fields and farms of the Willamette Valley to the southern border of Oregon and north through the landscape of central Washington, there has never been a safety net for them or their families. Wildfires and COVID-19 have added fuel to their fears. United Methodist Hispanic ministries are working to support them. Kristen Caldwell reports.
Read story
The New York Times
Fraternity challenged by one of its chapters
GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Kappa Alpha chapter at Southwestern University, a United Methodist-affiliated school, wants the national fraternity to drop its association with Robert E. Lee and investigate alleged racial harms committed by Kappa Alphas. Amy Harmon reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Religion and Race
Panel examines intersectionality
WASHINGTON — Christian ethicists will discuss how the work of justice is interconnected during an online panel at noon U.S. Central time Oct. 28. The panel is part of The United Methodist Church’s Dismantling Racism effort. Speakers include the Rev. Miguel A. De La Torre of Iliff School of Theology and the Rev. Traci C. West of Drew University Theological School.
Read press release
Mountain Sky Conference
Colorado bishops support COVID-19 health guidelines
GREENWOOD, Colo. — Mountain Sky Area Bishop Karen Oliveto and the bishops of the state’s Episcopal and Lutheran churches issued an open letter criticizing a recent federal court ruling allowing faith communities to ignore state public health mandates on crowd size and mask wearing. “We believe in science. We believe in the public good. We believe that we are loving our neighbor when we follow guidelines to reduce transmission in our communities,” the episcopal leaders wrote to Gov. Jared Polis in support of his guidelines aimed at slowing COVID-19 transmission.
Read statement
RECENT HEADLINES
Côte d’Ivoire church to help build schools in central Africa
Helping children during the COVID-19 crisis
EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 29
#Still in Mission Podcast 22
NEWS AND FEATURES
Should General Conference go virtual?
MINNEAPOLIS (UM News) — With COVID-19 still on the rise, a number of United Methodists urge that General Conference organizers plan for the denomination’s top lawmaking assembly to transpire online. Others worry that internet connectivity and accessibility issues might put some delegates out of reach. Heather Hahn reports.
Read story
Nigeria bishop calls for dialogue on police reform
JALINGO, Nigeria (UM News) — Nigeria Area Bishop John Wesley Yohanna is calling on the government to address the protests going on in the country through dialogue rather than police and military forces. According to Amnesty International, the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 protesters on Oct. 20. Several United Methodist pastors said they were witnesses to the violence. The Rev. Ande Emmanuel reports.
Read story
Greater Northwest Conference
Wildfires, COVID-19 put communities in survival mode
PORTLAND, Ore. — For the Hispanic and Latinx migrant communities working the fields and farms of the Willamette Valley to the southern border of Oregon and north through the landscape of central Washington, there has never been a safety net for them or their families. Wildfires and COVID-19 have added fuel to their fears. United Methodist Hispanic ministries are working to support them. Kristen Caldwell reports.
Read story
The New York Times
Fraternity challenged by one of its chapters
GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Kappa Alpha chapter at Southwestern University, a United Methodist-affiliated school, wants the national fraternity to drop its association with Robert E. Lee and investigate alleged racial harms committed by Kappa Alphas. Amy Harmon reports.
Read story
PRESS RELEASES
Religion and Race
Panel examines intersectionality
WASHINGTON — Christian ethicists will discuss how the work of justice is interconnected during an online panel at noon U.S. Central time Oct. 28. The panel is part of The United Methodist Church’s Dismantling Racism effort. Speakers include the Rev. Miguel A. De La Torre of Iliff School of Theology and the Rev. Traci C. West of Drew University Theological School.
Read press release
Mountain Sky Conference
Colorado bishops support COVID-19 health guidelines
GREENWOOD, Colo. — Mountain Sky Area Bishop Karen Oliveto and the bishops of the state’s Episcopal and Lutheran churches issued an open letter criticizing a recent federal court ruling allowing faith communities to ignore state public health mandates on crowd size and mask wearing. “We believe in science. We believe in the public good. We believe that we are loving our neighbor when we follow guidelines to reduce transmission in our communities,” the episcopal leaders wrote to Gov. Jared Polis in support of his guidelines aimed at slowing COVID-19 transmission.
Read statement
RECENT HEADLINES
Côte d’Ivoire church to help build schools in central Africa
Helping children during the COVID-19 crisis
EVENTS
Thursday, Oct. 29
#Still in Mission Podcast 22
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