Tag: Pandemic
Group hopes for new vision for UMC
An informal group, including two Michigan clergy, urges United Methodists to enter into prayerful conversations toward creation of a new vision for the denomination.
Liberia receives UMCOR food relief
Liberia is fighting two threats to health … COVID-19 and hunger. Gifts from UMCOR and Covenant Partners are providing food relief that’s making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Back to worship … what to expect
On June 1 Governor Whitmer and Bishop Bard lifted restrictions on in-person worship. But that doesn’t mean return to worship as usual in churches across the state. Be ready for changes.
More resources to assist reopening
Michigan Conference leaders offer additional resources for making important decisions around reopening. These include discerning the comfort level of your congregation and ways to share sacraments.
Begin in-person gatherings with care
Bishop David Bard encourages United Methodist churches in Michigan to use guidelines provided by the Michigan Conference as they prepare to re-open for in-person activities.
Prophets, pastors, politics, & pandemics
In this month’s Joyful Journey blog, Bishop David Bard, with heart broken open, talks about the appropriate place of politics in our decision making about coronavirus and actions against racism.
Speaking in new tongues at Pentecost
Bishop David Bard reflects on the coronavirus pandemic and catastrophic flooding in this Pentecost message to the Michigan Conference.
‘The Ultimate Gift’
“The Ultimate Gift” is about vulnerability and loss. That makes it a good movie to watch during this Stay-Home-Stay-Safe time.
Rising above polarization
How did polarization become so prevalent in society today? The Rev. John Boley shares analysis by Ezra Klein and asks Christians to revisit Christ’s teaching about the love of your enemy.
What does reopening look like?
Social distancing measures forced churches to transition to online worship and ministry. As states lift shelter-in-place orders, churches must consider how — or when— to return to in-person worship.