Bishop Farr Offers Check-In after a Long Week
Navigating Two Viruses
Statement from Bishop Bob Farr of Missouri on President Donald Trump's use of a Church Building and the Bible
St. Louis Social Justice Events
Missouri Methodist Presence at Protests
Annual Conference Collection Challenge
Scouting During a Pandemic
Bishop Farr Offers Check-In after a Long Week
Bishop Farr offers words of encouragement to his historically black churches and black pastors and challenges white pastors and lay leaders to listen more and take action. See his video message at https://vimeo.com/425574719.
Navigating Two Viruses
From United Methodist Discipleship Ministries
We are lamenting the violent actions of authorities, racism, and systemic oppression that has been on display in recent weeks. Meanwhile, most of us have not gathered in our church buildings for nearly three months during the global pandemic. As we make plans to regather for in-person worship, this virtual conference is designed to prepare your congregation to navigate these challenges. Join the online discussion on Tuesday, June 9 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. by registering at https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/navigating-2-viruses-regathering-in-the-midst-of-racism-pandemic.
Statement from Bishop Bob Farr of Missouri on President Donald Trump's use of a Church Building and the Bible
On Monday evening, the President of the United States stood in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. and held up a bible for a photo op. On his way there, demonstrators gathered in the churchyard were driven away by police action with the use of tear-gas among other tactics. As my bishop colleague Mariann E. Budde of the Episcopal Church noted, “He did not pray. He did not mention George Floyd, he did not mention the agony of people who have been subjected to this kind of horrific expression of racism and white supremacy for hundreds of years.” Our Bible is a testament to the values of love, justice, mercy and healing. I call on our President, and all our public officials, to unify and heal. Help us to be a truly United States of America, a nation where justice is granted to all its people. I call on all who follow Jesus to heed the commandment to love our neighbor as yourself.
St. Louis Social Justice Events
Faith for Justice, a coalition of Christian activists pursuing the biblical call to action in the public sphere, is organizing multiple social justice events in St. Louis today, tonight and tomorrow including a Say Their Name Vigil, Protest Prayer Room, and Direct Action Training in Defense of Black Lives. For more information go to https://www.faithforjustice.org/upcoming-events.
Missouri Methodist Presence at Protests
Several Missouri United Methodist pastors have been involved in public demonstrations in the past few days calling for justice and specific changes to help reform our systems. Read the story at https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/united-methodist-pastors-have-presence-at-protests-14014377.
Annual Conference Collection Challenge
Festival of Sharing has partnered with the districts to open drop-off sites at the end of June and beginning of July for the Annual Conference Collection Challenge items. To find out what hygiene item your district is collecting and where they can be turned in, please visit www.festivalofsharing.org/annual-conference-2020.html.
Scouting During a Pandemic
The Missouri Annual Conference has released a statement on local church scouting activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. When a local church serves as the chartering organization for a boy scout troop, the troop together with all its assets and liabilities is owned by and part of the local church. For this reason, the Conference recommends treating the troop exactly as the church would any other ministry of the local church. To read the complete statement, go to https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetail/statement-on-local-church-scouting-activities-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-14014497.
