Freedom Run

Every year on July 4 the Parley Pratt Freedom Run in Columbia recognizes religious freedom. This year the run was scheduled to start at the courthouse and run past a diversity of houses of worship, including Missouri United Methodist Church. Cautions around COVID-19 resulted in the cancelation of large scale gathering, but the organizers are still sharing the message of religious freedom. To view the primary video about the run, go to https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1666981310106219. To view an interview about Independence Day from retired United Methodist Elder Mel West, who was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the event, go to https://www.facebook.com/pppfreedomrun/videos/609203426373067/.

Unsnarling U.S. and Church Racial History

Historians and other church leaders joined a livestreamed town hall to explore Methodism's complicated and sometimes suppressed record on race. They hoped to help United Methodists turn away from past sins and dismantle racism. Read the United Methodist News Service story at https://www.umnews.org/en/news/unsnarling-us-and-church-racial-history. Watch the video at  https://www.umc.org/en/content/dismantling-racism-town-hall.