Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the UMC

The pandemic is causing activities around Martin Luther King Jr. Day to take a different shape this year, but many United Methodists are working to make sure Monday’s holiday is not just a day off. Manchester United Methodist Church in St. Louis has a full range of online learning activities and discussions all day, and concludes with a modern worship civil rights concert on their Facebook page. For more information about Manchester’s MLK Day ON! go to https://manchesterumc.org/mlkdayon/.  Church of the Resurrection (COR) Downton in Kansas City has in-person mission service opportunities, at-home service opportunities and online learning events planned for the weekend. Read about their plans for an MLK Weekend of Serving at https://cor.org/leawood/serve#d/serve/25745/cor_l.

Disaster Training Starts Feb. 5

Register before Jan. 25 for the Early Response Team Training. Early Response Teams (ERTs) fill a specific need in the days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence. ERTs are not a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams. Under very specific guidelines, ERTs assist survivors, without causing further harm or being a burden to the affected community. Learn more and register here: https://www.moumethodist.org/eventdetail/14924141?month=2&year=2021&day=1&display=m .

MOAC Award Nominations Due February 15

Every year the Missouri Annual Conference celebrates and honors the ministry of churches and United Methodists across the state through the MOAC Awards. You’re invited to nominate an individual or church for their work in mission, discipleship, evangelism, or inclusiveness, justice and worth. Learn more at www.moumethodist.org/moac-awards.