Building Burns, Church Goes On

The 135-year-old sanctuary of a United Methodist Church in Odessa burned to the ground early Thursday morning, but Woods Chapel Odessa will still have church this Sunday. The pastor and congregation have decided to worship at their regular time this Sunday morning at 11 a.m., advising people to bring chairs or blankets for worship in their parking lot. They are treating it as a homecoming service, inviting everyone with a current or former connection to the church to attend and share memories. For the latest from Woods Chapel Odessa visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WoodsChapelOdessa/.  

Missouri Delegation Invites Submissions for 2020 Vision Devotional

The General and Jurisdictional Conference delegation of the Missouri Annual Conference invites Missouri laity and clergy to submit short devotions for compilation in a Vision 2020 devotional. This devotional will be used by the Missouri delegation throughout their work and discernment leading up to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2020. The themes of devotions included in this volume should be on seeking wisdom and discerning God's will. Devotions should be roughly 250-words and grounded in scripture. The delegation is receiving submissions from September 3-October 15. Submit your devotions here: https://missouri-reg.brtapp.com/2020VisionDevo.

Bishops Issue Call to Address Humanitarian Crisis on Border

South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops issued a letter today joining the Texas bishops in a call to address the humanitarian crisis along the U.S. southern border. The full letter is posted on the Missouri Conference website at https://www.moumethodist.org/scj-bishops-address-humanitarian-crisis-at-border.