Church doors masked
The United Methodist Church is feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses have closed their doors and churches have suspended in-person worship, due to the health guidelines. Mask image by panos13121, courtesy of Pixabay; church doors photo by Steven Adair, courtesy of United Methodist Communications; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.
Coronavirus deaths in the United States reached 500,000 this week – half a million lives cut short by this deadly plague.
As the week opened, The Washington Post unveiled two somber and disturbing news articles about the toll that COVID-19 has taken on the United States: graphical depictions of how much 500,000 really is, and heartbreaking accounts of children claimed by the virus. Columnist Eugene Robinson summed up our current situation by analyzing factors behind the recent decline in COVID-19 cases, and why we must continue these public health efforts to stave off the possibility of another half-million people dying from the disease. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the federal Center for Infectious Diseases, recently noted that the need to continue wearing masks and physical distancing may continue into 2022. One glimmer of hope from The Associated Press: Scientists say it's still too early to predict the future of the virus, but many doubt it will ever go away entirely. One possibility is that the disease continues to persist for a long time but in a much milder form, like a common cold, AP's Aniruddha Ghosal and Christina Larson report.
Mask Up, America
President Joe Biden has issued an executive order requiring face coverings at all federal properties to stem the tide of the coronavirus pandemic. Americans are urged to care for their neighbors by wearing masks in public and observing six feet of physical distancing. (White House Photo via Facebook)
Almost a year into the coronavirus pandemic, recent improvements in the numbers of infections and deaths mustn’t lull us into dropping our guard, much as we long to return to in-person worship. Although some churches have resumed in-person worship, most congregations, especially in hard-hit urban areas, continue to broadcast services via the Internet. Around the United States, many annual conferences, such as Indiana, Arkansas and South Carolina, and the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, have already announced plans to hold their 2021 sessions online because the continued coronavirus threat.
In keeping with the United Methodist rule to “do no harm,” individuals and congregations are urged to continue to wear masks, wash hands frequently and keep six feet of distance between persons.
Congolese bishop, wife recovering
West Ohio Conference reports that Bishop Ntambo Nkulu and his wife, Mama Shimba, are both out of the hospital and recovering slowly from what their doctors described as a mysterious group of “multiple medical complications.” "We praise God and thank you for the miracle and the united power of prayer," said their son, Gaston Ntambo, a United Methodist missionary who leads the Wings of the Morning aviation ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo. West Ohio requests continued prayers for their recovery.
UMC bishops offer devotions during Lent, Holy Week
Each week of Lent and every day of Holy Week, a United Methodist bishop will offer a short devotion. These times of reflection will challenge and inspire us to follow Jesus. Along the way, we will confront the sin of racism, renew our faith, and remember the promise of Easter – that redemption, reconciliation and liberation is possible.
Bishop Hope Morgan Ward of the North Carolina Conference offers the first devotion of the series, “Now is the time.” Video Notes
Media Mentions as of Feb. 22, 2021
Faith, medical leaders collaborate to get COVID-19 vaccine in arms of more people – Religion News Service
What Will Your Church Look Like Post-COVID-19? – Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Canton's James S. Thomas United Methodist Church to be repurposed – Canton Repository
Black history can't be told without the Bible – Religion News Service
Disinformation Fuels A White Evangelical Movement. It Led 1 Virginia Pastor To Quit – NPR
BONUS: Christian Nationalism & Disinformation – NPR
New document offers ways to foster Catholic-Methodist relationships – Crux
Want to understand Black experience? Learn about African American faith, survey finds – Religion News Service
Intel leads tech-dominated list of religiously inclusive workplaces – Religion News Service