News & Information

By Bishop Peggy Johnson The gospel song lyrics “Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land. Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm” is singing in my head as I ponder the life of Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, who passed away this week at the age of 98 in Atlanta, Georgia. Like our Lord, Dr. Lowery was a rock.  He was a rock in the weary land of racism and discrimination for decades in this country.  Among his many rock-hard accomplishments was heading up the ...

Nashville, March, 2020–The outbreak of COVID-19 in the US and the resulting cancellation of group gatherings has led many United Methodist churches to plan online virtual worship experiences.   To assure that local churches have the resources they need,the United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) announced that it is granting permission to use and post online selected contents from the United Methodist Book of Worship (BOW) as congregations care for their members during the international health ...

By Bishop Peggy Johnson I have always bristled when a preacher or a workshop leader, who has access to a microphone, says something like “You can hear me, can’t you?  I don’t like using microphones.”  No one seems to object, and they proceed to put aside the sound system to the detriment of someone out there in the audience who cannot hear well.  The non-hearing folks rarely speak up, but they sit in silence, missing much of what is being said by the speaker. Providing amplification for physical...

By Heather Hahn March 21, 2020 | UM News   Editor's note: Updated March 23 with the announcement that General Conference will likely be 2021. General Conference organizers are exploring potential new dates in 2021 for The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly after the coronavirus pandemic forced postponement. The Commission on the General Conference determined that multiple factors meant it would not be feasible to reschedule to hold the international 10-day gathering this year.  ...

Check this page for regular updates. *UPDATED 4/1/20* Bishop’s Statements Regarding COVID-19: March 31, 2020: Compassionate Hearts March 26, 2020: A Word to The Wise about Easter Sunday and Other Holy Week Observances March 24, 2020: Reminders about Gathering Restrictions and Thoughts about Holy Communion March 17, 2020: ‘Our God, Our Help in Ages Past’ (A pastoral message.Adapted script from Bishop’s video message, below) March 16, 2020: A Time and a Purpose March 16, 2020: Pray without ...