Cedar Hill Money
Members of First United Methodist Church in Cedar Hill, Texas, southwest of Dallas, sign up to bring $200 each to health care workers and people unemployed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. (North Texas Conference Communications Photo)
Just because Holy Week and Easter worship will be virtual this year, Discipleship Ministries is making sure the highest celebration of the Christian year will still be meaningful through a virtual choir.
No doubt inspired by the recent video by Nashville back-up singers, Discipleship Ministries sent out a newsletter outlining steps to join in the “Virtual Easter Choir.” The email invitation contains lots of links to click through, so it’s easier to go to the online version.
Singers have to hurry, though, because DM needs your recording by Monday, April 6. Lots of us will look forward to hearing a choir harmonize on that great Charles Wesley hymn, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” (No. 302 in the United Methodist Hymnal).
Outreach campaign marches on despite pandemic
The coronavirus hasn’t stop United Methodists from helping others. For the seventh consecutive year, First UMC in Cedar Hill, Texas, a bedroom community southwest of Dallas, is working on its Lenten campaign to “Do Something,” reports the North Texas Annual Conference.
“The missions committee provides $200 to any member who knows a person or group in need. This year, the church has given out $9,000 to individuals or programs related to the homeless, healthcare workers and those affected by COVID-19,” says the article.
Good on you, First-Cedar Hill!
Charlottesville pastor featured
The Rev. Phil Woodson, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church, Charlottesville, Va., contributed the April 1 meditation for the National Council of Churches’ weekday devotionals during the COVID-19 pandemic isolation. Rev. Woodson became known two years ago when he organized local religious leaders into a counter-protest to a white supremacy rally scheduled in Charlottesville. His meditation, “Overcome Greed with Selflessness,” is based on Exodus 11:10.
Some Good News
April Fool’s Day was cancelled by and large this year. With all the bad news from the coronavirus pandemic, only the most callous among us would try to trip up someone with a prank.
However, that hasn’t meant that humor and good news have left the building. Actor John Krasinski, known for his turn on the hit TV show “The Office” and now starring in Amazon’s “Jack Ryan” series, wanted some good news. So he started his own online program, “Some Good News,” from his home office. Profiled by The Washington Post, it’s definitely worth a look.
Media Mentions as of April 1, 2020
Virus forces religions to improvise, isolate for holidays – The Associated Press
Playing God: Pandemic brings moral dilemmas to U.S. hospitals – Christianity Today *
How guns and church services became essential business – U.S. News & World Report
Higher attendance, lower giving: New survey shows how churches are responding to COVID-19 – Religion News Service
Warning: Your piety might be dangerous to your health – Religion News Service
* Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. Send news of how you and your congregation are coping with the coronavirus pandemic.