Bishop Monday Message - Following Instructions

I hope you’ve learned one thing about me after these almost eight years: I love to study the Scriptures. I’m always amazed at how different historic events, as well as personal experiences, bring new eyes, if you will, to understanding them. During the pandemic, and now as we begin to imagine what life will be like when we are no longer sheltering in place as individuals, families, and congregations, my attention turned to a particular book that has not been my favorite: Leviticus!

Covering the need for face masks

As the first cases of COVID-19 were becoming widespread in Illinois, the need for protective masks became more urgent. With the new order requiring Illinoisans over age two to wear a face mask in public starting May 1, the need is even greater. Volunteers at many NIC churches are busy working to cover the need by firing up their sewing machines and making handmade masks.

Bishop's Monday Message: Y Church?

The bars and restaurants have been closed for weeks now. I’ve noticed the last couple of weeks, however, that some of them are doing renovation: pulling out all the glassware, removing the tables and chairs, working on light fixtures, upgrading décor, and often pulling up old flooring in order to put down new flooring. These are things they can’t do easily when they have customers coming and going all day and night long. This renovation also gives me hope that they expect to re-open after people can go back to bars and restaurants!

UMCOR launches COVID-19 Response Fund

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is expanding its efforts in the fight against the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19. UMCOR has launched a giving campaign, “Sheltering in Love,” to assist vulnerable communities in the United States and around the world.

Churches and congregations get creative to show they care

To pass the time during the COVID-19 pandemic and to connect with her congregation, while providing some comic relief, the Rev. Mary Bohall, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Mendota, has been sharing videos twice daily on Facebook and YouTube including sharing her dog Tucker’s latest tricks. While there was an influx of views, Bohall says there was little engagement from the community. So, she and her husband Andrew came up with a hair raising idea.

Digital Earth Day

Amid coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic concerns, Earth Day Network, the global organizer of Earth Day, will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day much differently this year.

News

Categories