News · United Methodists Connected – In Hope and Healing

March 20, 2020 · Church Renewal

United Methodists Connected – In Hope and Healing

In this unexpected and menacing moment in history, nothing is more pressing in the work of the Church than care for our planet and all God’s people.

We are counseled to reduce physical proximity as we strive to flatten the COVID-19 curve to avoid overwhelming our health-care systems and protect the health of our families, friends, coworkers, and neighbors near and far.

This is precisely the time when the vibrant witness of our Christ-centered and mission-focused connectional church is most urgently needed and vitally important.

The United Methodist Church is a critical connecting presence given the worldwide emphasis on intentional social distancing. The current emergency makes it even more apparent that “The local church provides the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs.” BOD ¶201. It is at “such a time as this” that we are emboldened by our historical witness and practical theology to be a connectional people:

Connecting—as a trustworthy and authentic witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.

Connecting—our members and communities in prayer, worship, and a spiritual awakening.

Connecting—as a non-anxious global presence offering practical leadership, conveying crucial information, and building coalitions of the willing for bold social action.

Connecting—by holding up for attention those who are most vulnerable and marginalized and in need of Christian advocates and friends.

Connecting—as we host and participate in networks for exchanging information, joint planning, and curating learnings and resources.

We are a connectional global mission from everywhere to everywhere actively addressing the urgent health and spiritual needs of all—and caring for the healing of the world as the connecting people of The United Methodist Church.

The thirteen general agencies and the Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church are eager to serve you, the people of The United Methodist Church and to make a difference for the most vulnerable in our communities around the world. Below you will find links to access online pages with resources in our areas of focus that will assist you as you continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

General Board of Church and Society

Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary

https://www.umcjustice.org/

General Board of Global Ministries

Thomas Kemper, General Secretary

https://www.umcmission.org/share-our-work/news-stories

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Greg Bergquist, General Secretary

https://www.gbhem.org/connect/

Discipleship Ministries

Junius Dotson, General Secretary

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/resources-for-responding-to-covid-19-outbreak