Bishop Stanovsky's COVID-19 notices

On April 23 and 27, Bishop Stanovsky published COVID-19 notices for churches that were sent out to our mailing list.  Notice #4 talks about sharing what we have with those that have less.  Notice #5.1 talks about the extension of worship suspension and building closures.

Notice #4
Notice #5.1

Register for Wednesday Webinar on stewardship in the age of COVID-19

Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky will be joined by Cesie Delve Scheuermann, Inspiring Generosity blogger and stewardship consultant for the Oregon-Idaho Conference, and Rev. Ken Sloane, Director, Stewardship & Generosity, UMC Discipleship Ministries for our next Wednesday Webinar, April 29, this one focusing on stewardship during this COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The webinar will start at 8 am AKDT, 9 am PDT, and 10 am MDT.
 
During this webinar, which will last up to 90 minutes, our panelists will spend time helping you to navigate these wild pandemic times. They'll answer questions about raising money for your ministries, why you should be communicating more with your congregation, and what kind of communicating you should be doing.
 
Plus…five nifty tips for managing your church budget now.
 
Register here for the Wednesday webinar

Support line established for church cleaning

When restrictions on gathering in church are eased statewide and lifted by Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky, a team of dedicated and experienced disaster response volunteers from the Greater Northwest Area of The United Methodist Church is available to help when it comes to proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

These dedicated volunteers are available to answer clergy, staff and laity questions about best practices for cleaning facilities – using Centers for Disease Control guidelines – to prevent them from becoming COVID-19 vectors.

People can either call the United Methodist Disaster Response helpline at 503-802-9205 or email responseinfo@greaternw.org to submit their questions. A volunteer member of the Greater NW emergency response team will do their best to answer questions in a timely manner.

RELATED: Best practices for church cleaning & management: case study

Visit www.greaternw.org/coronavirus for more resources.

St. John UMC in Anchorage shares virtual choir and offers advice for online worship

St. John's traditional music-director, James Wardlaw-Bailey has been working with his wife Freya their accompanist, and choir to record and piece together a virtual choir for Easter Sunday service, and again this last week. You have their permission to use use the recording in your own worship settings.  Glory Hallelujah!

For those who wish to expand their online worship offerings, the St John staff are willing to help point others toward the resources they have been using to continue to grow and improve their online weekly worship. Contact them here.

Connected in All Things - Ray Buckley

Author and faculty member of The Upper Room Academy for Spiritual Formation Ray Buckley remembers a lesson his grandmother taught him using a dreamcatcher: "We are connected in all things and strengthened by God—who cannot be pulled or pushed out of shape."

Watch Now

New "Methodist Review" in the Conference Archives

The April 2020 issue of the Methodist academic publication "Methodist History" has arrived for your review. Paper topics include:  "Give Glory to God before He Causes Darkness;" Methodists and Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, 1793-1798; Hugh Price Hughes and "The Revival of Oxford Methodism;" A Widening Stream: Comparing and Contrasting United Methodism's 1968 and 2008 Mergers; and "Honor to Whom Honor is Due": The Significance of the Life of Betsey Dow Twombly.  There are also 5 book reviews. This resource is available in the Conference Library/Research Room when it becomes open for business again.  Contact Conference Historian, Larry Hayden, if you are interested in reviewing it.

National News

Tentative General Conference dates publicized

The Council of Bishops disclosed a proposal that would push back General Conference more than a year and four months after the lawmaking assembly was originally scheduled.

Read the story
Young delegates urge GC2021 dates be revised

Term expirations for Judicial Council on hold

Members and alternate members of the United Methodist Judicial Council whose terms were expiring will continue to serve until their successors are elected at the next General Conference, the denomination’s top court has announced.

Read announcement
Visit Judicial Council website

Bishops to livestream parts of virtual meeting

The United Methodist Council of Bishops will gather in a virtual meeting April 29 to May 1 to celebrate new leadership and discuss plans for episcopal supervision brought on by the disruptions and postponements due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The first and third days of the meeting, April 29 and May 1, will be livestreamed starting at 9 a.m. Eastern time at www.unitedmethodistbishops.org or on the bishops' Facebook page, www.facebook.com/umcbishops.

Read the press release

Pandemic threatening ministry with migrants

United Methodists are still providing aid to migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., but the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered their efforts by ending face-to-face interaction with those living in camps.

Read the story
More UM News: Ministry with migrants

Agency to host panel on faith and science

As part of its E-Resources program, the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry will host an online panel, "Coronavirus at the Crossroads of Faith and Science," on Thursday, April 30, at 11 a.m. CDT. Viewers can watch it live on the agency's YouTube channel.

Read the press release

The Connectional Table unveils new website

The Connectional Table (CT) of The United Methodist Church has launched UMCCT.org a new website in a user-friendly platform designed to provide a clear understanding of the CT’s work. The website also provides resources to support the ministry of United Methodists throughout the connection.

UMCOR launches new COVID-19 Response Fund

The United Methodist Committee on Relief has launched a giving campaign, "Sheltering in Love," as it continues to support global denominational efforts to assist vulnerable communities during the coronavirus outbreak. Through the COVID-19 Response Fund, UMCOR plans to quickly release grants of up to $20,000 to its partners, with grant applications available by April 27.

Read the press release
Donate to COVID-19 Response Fund

Pension agency's steps during COVID-19 crisis

Wespath is instituting two premium relief programs to help conferences to better support local ministry needs and churches, without interrupting coverage. That is among the steps the denomination’s pension and benefits agency is taking to help churches and their pastors.

Read the press release

Helping Native communities during COVID-19 crisis

United Methodists around the U.S. are helping Native Americans struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. The support includes funding food ministries and providing protective gear for a hospital serving the hard-hit Navajo Nation, where there have been more than 1,100 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 44 deaths.

Read the story

Keeping church property safe amid closures

Empty church buildings come with their own risks. United Methodist Insurance offers five tips to help keep people and property safe during coronavirus-related vacancies.

Read the story

COVID-19 could push the church toward change

Church leaders guiding their flocks through the coronavirus pandemic say some of the responses to the emergency might help point the way to the future.

Read story

Latest Upper Room issue available for free download

Since churches are unable to meet and gather safely in their buildings during the coronavirus pandemic, The Upper Room is offering the May/June 2020 issue, both in English and Spanish, as a free, downloadable PDF. The Upper Room also has created a web page featuring resources to help create and maintain spiritual wellness during anxious times.

Download issue
View resources

Supporting high school seniors during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of many people, including students. Resource UMC shares ways we can support High School Seniors without minimizing the pain they may be feeling during this time.

Get Ideas

Heritage Sunday

Heritage Sunday this year will be on May 24, 2020.  The theme this year is "The Power of Through."  You can visit the General Commission on Archives and History website for more details about Heritage Sunday and how your church can participate once you start meeting face to face again.  Heritage Sunday is a time to reflect on the United Methodist Church's history.

Read more here

May

2. Leadership Team
5: Cinco de Mayo
7: GNW Cabinet meeting - Carlo attending remotely
10: Mother's Day
25: Memorial Day - Office Closed