(RNS) — Graduations, funerals, college reunions and weddings have all been delayed or otherwise impacted by the yearlong pandemic, adding to the emotional roller coaster those events can be. But imagine the spiritual wear and tear for United Methodists, who for more than a year have been dealing with a looming church schism. “These are extraordinary times, and then you layer upon all of that the uncertainty of our denomination,” said Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church in her “State of the Church” address, given Tuesday evening (March 16) to members of her conference. “If we weren’t a people of deep prayer and trusting God, it would be overwhelming.” Easterling described the past year as a “liminal season” as United Methodists around the world make sense of recent announcements about protocols, postponements and a proposed Global Methodist Church. Because of COVID-19, the United Methodist Church has … [Read more...]

(RNS) — Chris Estus doesn’t seem like the typical thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Estus is 60 years old, has been married for 35 years and runs his own business in San Antonio, Texas, where he also leads a ministry for those recovering from addictions, called the Pioneer Group, and is director of recovery ministries at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. He only began his “outdoors career” 10 years ago, he said. But after he finished hiking the 500-mile Colorado Trail last year, his own recovery sponsor suggested he take on the Appalachian Trail next and “share the good news” of Jesus along the way, he said. When Estus learned the United Methodist Church was searching for a chaplain to do just that, he took it as a sign. He said, “Well, I guess I have my marching orders.” The denomination announced Estus, whose trail name is “Bone Spur,” as its ninth Appalachian Trail chaplain this week. The chaplaincy was created in 2013 by the Holston Conference of The … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (RNS) — In a socially distant but united “confidence event” at the Washington National Cathedral, leaders of the Washington area’s faith, medical and political worlds assembled to encourage people of various religions to get COVID-19 vaccinations. “As people of faith who are called to love and care for our neighbors, we should be leading the way in this effort,” said the cathedral’s dean, Randy Hollerith, on Tuesday (March 16), calling the availability of vaccines “a great blessing.” Melissa Rogers, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, spoke about the Biden administration’s support of alliances of government and faith groups to expand public information about the vaccines. “This is one great example of a partnership between government and faith-based organizations,” said Rogers. “And, as President Biden has recognized, faith-based organizations can play key roles in helping Americans get … [Read more...]

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As Southern California’s housing crisis continues to fuel homelessness across the region, a number of churches, particularly Black congregations, are stepping up to build affordable housing on their church land. And they’re banding together to send a clear message to developers: They will not be taken advantage of. As the homeless population is estimated to hover above 66,000 people in Los Angeles County alone, there are thousands of acres of church land across California that can be used to develop housing. Pastors — some who have inherited debt or years of deferred maintenance and whose church memberships may not be as large as in years past — recognize this opportunity, but may lack the resources or knowledge to cut housing deals that would not only help the most needy, but also help their church communities remain in their neighborhoods. For years, the Rev. John Cager, pastor of Ward African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Los Angeles, has seen … [Read more...]

(RNS) — A study of 1,000 U.S. Protestant churchgoers found 91% said they planned on returning to in-person worship when it is safe to do so. The study from Lifeway Research, a nonprofit affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, suggests churchgoers are eager to return to pre-pandemic worship practices. “Many of these pastors are wondering if those who haven’t returned ever will,” Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said in a press release. “Nine in 10 churchgoers plan to when it is safe to do so.” Though many churches are already meeting in person, attendance has typically been smaller to accommodate for social distancing. In January, 51% of churchgoers said they didn’t attend any in-person services and 83% said they watched a livestream of a church service instead. With vaccines now becoming more readily available, attendance is likely to pick up soon, the study suggested. The study also noted that only 5% of churchgoers have switched to … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives chastised lawmakers during a prayer on Wednesday (March 10), asking God to “forgive them” for failing to unite around pandemic relief legislation. Rear Adm. Margaret Grun Kibben, an ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) minister who assumed the role of House chaplain in January, included the criticism in her prayer as she opened the House session Wednesday, when lawmakers prepared for a final vote on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. “Almighty God, as these lawmakers take their sides on this factional bill before them, we pray your mercy,” she said. “Forgive them, all of them. For when called upon to respond to a once-in-a-century pandemic that has rocked our country, upended its economy and widened the chasm of partisan opinion, they have missed the opportunity to step above the fray and unite to attend to this national crisis.” Kibben, the first woman to hold her position, … [Read more...]