A Statement of Care and Compassion Concerning the Coronavirus Outbreak

The emergence of a global health crisis, arising from the emergence last month of a novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, is causing increased worry in an already anxious world. The Church is called to be in prayer for those affected by the virus, those caring for the affected, including those in the medical and scientific industry trying to diagnose and treat patients, as well as effectively prevent, detect and respond to this virus. COVID-19, like SARS and Bird Flu before it, will come and go. The specific scares will pass; but now is a good time, before this pandemic (or whatever the next pandemic may be) reaches you for churches to do a checkup on their worship practices and gain some important factual data about healthy practices to inform how your community gathers together. Certainly, at this point, the conclusion we come to should not be that being together is dangerous. Additionally, it is too early to conclude that Communion should be suspended. After all, receiving Holy Communion has a much lower risk of spreading infection than shaking hands does. We will await instruction from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding any change in our shared practices. In the meantime, our hopeful conclusion is that God calls us together to be the body of Christ with confidence so that we may taste and see the goodness of the Lord. To read the Coronavirus statement in full and for resources relating to worship and other church activities at this time go to https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/a-statement-of-care-and-compassion-concerning-the-coronavirus-outbreak-13422070.

Funds for General Conference, Episcopal Fund

The finance agency board voted to recommend to the United Methodist General Conference that part of the Permanent Fund could be used to provide funding for General Conference-related expenses and any emergency needs of the Episcopal Fund. The General Council on Finance and Administration Board took the action during a meeting by conference call on Feb. 28. Read press release
 

Journey4Justice

Fifty people aged 13-103 have an opportunity to embark on a justice journey together to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. The Museum and the Memorial are unlike any museum you may have visited in the past. It is better defined as an experience - an intense experience that will leave you challenged and convicted. See details and register here: https://www.moumethodist.org/journey4justice.