Nashville: The United Methodist Church has continued to carry out its mission despite the unique challenges and uncertainties of 2020. That’s according to the new 2020 State of the Church Report produced by the Connectional Table and United Methodist Communications, themed “Blessed is the Church.”

Grants go to fight COVID-19 in India
The United Methodist Committee on Relief will assist two partners in India to provide ventilators, hospital beds, money and more to help combat the dire COVID-19 crisis there.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the capacities of national and global health systems, as it has for more than a year… Read More

CONAM spotlights Missing, Murdered Women and Girls at powwow
The Eastern PA Conference Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) attended the 7th annual Pottstown Powwow, May 1-2, and hosted a display that featured the growing tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Their colorful, much-visited display included posters, buttons, t-shirts and post cards for sale, and symbolic red dresses hanging from trees.

Bishops: No episcopal elections until 2022
The Council of Bishops held fast to its plans to delay electing any new leaders until after the postponed General Conference, despite some delegates’ calls for elections this year. Read More

WCA plans new denomination
The Wesleyan Covenant Association met in person and online April 30-May 1, continuing to plan for a new, traditionalist Methodist denomination and passing a resolution criticizing three United Methodist bishops for recent appointment-making decisions. Read More

Seeking gun violence remedies, policing reforms
For the Rev. Myra Maxwell, a pastor in Philadelphia, the city’s escalation in shootings and murders hits hard and close to home. She has lost a family member and friends to violence.
The City of Brotherly Love recorded 499 homicides last year, a 40 percent increase from 2019 and the second most since 1960…

May 5: National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls
*Even with so much attention focused on Indian Country’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot forget that May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls (MMIWG). Social distancing and “shelter-in-place” guidelines may prevent in-person MMIWG …
Some HealthFlex participants eligible to share in BCBS settlement
Wespath will send an e-mail and follow-up letter to HealthFlex primary participants in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) network this week to inform them that some participants are eligible to share in the settlement proceeds stemming from …
State of the Black Church
March 18, 2021 Co-sponsored by The Eastern PA and Peninsula-Delaware (Pen-Del) conferences, and The Eastern PA Urban Commission.
Policing in African-American Communities
April 22, 2021 Sponsored by the Eastern PA Conference Urban Commission’s Fight for Floyd and Beyond Initiative