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Passion and Compassion
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As the global coronavirus pandemic continued to spread despite quarantine efforts, the Rev. Dr. Steve Harper encouraged believers not to close themselves off from God and one another. Despite the pain and uncertainty of the worldwide crisis, Dr. Harper counseled people of God to keep their souls "ajar," to allow room for God's Holy Spirit to sustain them. (Image by Fabien Monteil from Pixabay)
Preparations for Holy Week and Easter are heightened this year as United Methodists join the world's Christians in observing our faith's highest celebration while physically separated by the global coronavirus pandemic.

The week started out sadly with news of the death of the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, civil rights leader in both church and society, at age 98. A contemporary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the American Civil Rights era, Dr. Lowery was also a towering figure among United Methodists for his work in prodding the denomination to repent of its institutional racism.

As social distancing and lockdowns increased, scholars and theologians scrambled to provide resources for local congregations to worship in diaspora. In unprecedented collaboration, three U.S. ecumenical bodies cooperated on worship resources for at-home services, including a drawing that youngsters can color and display outside on Easter (see accompanying image).

Among United Methodists, worship discussions have focused on one question: given the "extraordinary circumstances" of the global pandemic, can Holy Communion be celebrated appropriately via video and livestream? Some United Methodist bishops in the Western and North Central Jurisdictions and the Nordic and Baltic Area have granted temporary permission for online Eucharist and provided guidelines for the observance. Meanwhile, an ad hoc group of scholars unveiled a set of worship resources this week with an unequivocal assertion that Holy Communion requires physical presence and therefore can't be performed online. Two of Insight's frequent contributors weighed in on the debate: Charlie Baber's Wesley Bros offered "Wonkavision" communion while Morgan Guyton looked at "The Battle for the Eucharist." The Eucharist debate will probably extend after lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders are lifted.

"Adaptation" became this week's watchword as the United States extended an unprecedented "shelter in place" recommendation through April 30. United Methodists have responded with innovative ways to care for the sick and dying, the stressed and the frightened. Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle tracked responses in a series of compilations: 
Hurry Up to Get in on the Virtual Easter Choir
We're Praying for an End to Coronavirus
Online Communion or Not – That's THE Question

The short- and long-term social and spiritual impacts of the coronavirus pandemic now are being assessed by faith leaders. Among their offerings:
Yes, Church, the Stock Market DOES Matter to Your Survival by Christy Thomas
How Is God Speaking to Us Now? by Alex Awad
God's Role in Times of Crisis by Knut Refsdal
What Will the Church's "New Normal" Be? by Cynthia B. Astle
Little Deaths by Jim Parsons

Coronavirus' economic impact is confronting the denomination as giving declines. Heather Hahn offers two finance-related articles, "Wrestling with Budget After GC2020 Postponed" and "Pandemic Presents Challenge to Church Giving." David W. Scott wraps up his series on dividing United Methodist assets with two entries (although dividing up church assets, like potential schism, has cooled down while pandemic fever rose).

In closing, we'd like to give a big shout-out to our colleague United Methodist communicators all over the world. The valuable content delivered via United Methodist Insight  these past three weeks testifies to church communicators' exemplary devotion in bringing news and commentary that's accurate, relevant and hopeful. Church communicators don't choose their vocation to become rich and famous; they do it because they love Jesus Christ and His Church. As we rediscover what's most important in church life, we at Insight hope that our communicators' service will be remembered when financially strained local church and annual conference budgets are considered. Without our church communicators, how will the world know of our passion for Christ and our compassion for the world God loves?

Stay home. Stay safe. Wash your hands. Call your loved ones. And thank God for Holy Presence during this plague-ridden time.

Words for Your Week

"It is time for right-wing, extremist Christianity to become extinct just as the dinosaurs did. ... Jesus' harshest words were directed to the religious leaders. Why? Because they were the ones who were supposed to know better. They were the ones poisoning the wells of the spiritual life, turning the Water of Life into an elixir of death. That's what the false prophets are doing today. Jesus called them out—”snakes and sons of snakes,” he said. We must say the same."

– The Rev. Dr. Steve Harper, "Dinosaur Christianity Must Go"

Global United Methodist Views on Online Communion

By David W. Scott on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
Separated by the coronavirus pandemic, United Methodists around the world are debating whether Holy Communion can be celebrated via video or internet livestream.
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United Methodists Around the World Respond to COVID-19

By Church & Society on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
The General Board of Church and Society asked United Methodists around the world to share how they are experiencing and responding to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.
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Of COVID-19 and Solidarity: Social Distancing and Privilege

By Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
Deaconness Darlene Marquez-Caramanzana of the Philippines reflects on how social distancing, while a public health necessity, also magnifies existing social inequities.
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COVID-19 Lockdown: Keeping Churches Connected While Sheltering in Place

By Jeremy Smith on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
The Rev. Jeremy Smith offers his congregation's experience in keeping care and connection with your congregation when you are unable to gather in groups, large or small, because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
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Yes, Church, The Stock Market DOES Matter To Your Survival

By Christy Thomas on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
Remember, Church: the stock market does matter to your survival. Embrace this perilous time as the best of all occasions to practice serious self and institutional reflection, counsels the Rev. Dr. Christy Thomas.
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How Is God Speaking to Us Now?

By Alex Awad on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
The coronavirus pandemic is giving the world a desperately needed time to slow down, consider our global needs such as the climate crisis, and change our ways to care for God's creation and ourselves, writes the Rev. Dr. Alex Awad.
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Dinosaur Christianity Must Go

By Steve Harper on Apr 02, 2020 10:05 am
"Dinosaur Christianity" – the kind that operates out of fear and control rather than the grace and love of God – is no longer fit for the world in which we live, writes the Rev. Dr. Steve Harper.
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God's Role in Times of Crisis

By The Rev. Knut Refsdal on Apr 01, 2020 12:39 pm
God doesn't cause bad things to happen to people, but where is God when there's widespread suffering like the COVID-19 pandemic, asks the Rev. Knut Refsdal.
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A Rock in a Weary Land

By Bishop Peggy A. Johnson on Apr 01, 2020 12:39 pm
Bishop Peggy A. Johnson pays tribute to the leadership of the late Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, civil rights leader who died recently at age 98.
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What Will the Church's 'New Normal' Be?

By Cynthia B. Astle on Apr 01, 2020 12:39 pm
A hurried shift to technology to maintain social connections has Cynthia B. Astle pondering how the Church will adapt to life after the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Preaching Tips They Didn’t Give You in Seminary

By Rev. Thomas Fuerst on Apr 01, 2020 12:24 pm
In a guest post from Hacking Christianity, the Rev. Thomas Fuerst offers counsel to preachers based on his ten years in the pulpit.
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The Battle for the Eucharist

By Morgan Guyton on Apr 01, 2020 12:24 pm
The Rev. Morgan Guyton muses on the current United Methodist dispute over the appropriateness of online Holy Communion.
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Hurry Up to Get in on the Virtual Easter Choir

By Cynthia B. Astle on Apr 01, 2020 12:24 pm
A Texas congregation transforms its annual outreach project to coronavirus aid; Discipleship Ministries follows Nashville singers' lead to organize an online rendition of Charles Wesley's "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today."
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Pandemic Presents Challenge to Church Giving

By Heather Hahn on Mar 31, 2020 11:45 am
United Methodist congregations are embracing online means to continue collecting members' financial contributions to uphold their churches.
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We're Praying for an End to Coronavirus

By Cynthia B. Astle on Mar 31, 2020 08:20 am
Americans are praying for an end to coronavirus; Book of Worship OK'd for online use; and that knowledgable Chuck is back with tips on things we can do in the face of COVID-19.
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A Primer on UMC Assets: Concluding Thoughts

By David W. Scott on Mar 31, 2020 08:06 am
Dr. David W. Scott wraps up his series on dividing UMC assets with some overall observations.
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A Primer on UMC Assets: Challenges in Dividing Assets

By David W. Scott on Mar 31, 2020 07:59 am
Dividing up The United Methodist Church's assets involves answering questions about who gets to decide, who's eligible to receive and how the assets are meted out.
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Wesley Bros: Wonkavision

By Charlie Baber on Mar 31, 2020 07:17 am
The Wesley Bros enter into the UMC's major theological discussion of our time: can Holy Communion be celebrated legitimately through virtual means?
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Rev. Joseph Lowery, Civil Rights Leader, Dead at 98

By Kathy L. Gilbert on Mar 30, 2020 11:35 am
The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery was a towering leader in both U.S. society and the United Methodist Church.
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Three Ecumenical Organizations Join in Easter Suggestions

By NCC News on Mar 30, 2020 11:20 am
Three organizations have joined together in recommending ways for Christians to observe Easter publicly amid a nationwide "shelter-in-place" to stop coronavirus spread.
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Online Communion or Not – That's THE Question

By Cynthia B. Astle on Mar 30, 2020 11:07 am
United Methodist bishops in some states are allowing online communion services by special permission – but some pre-filled communion cups may not be available.
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Wrestling with Budget After GC2020 Postponed

By Heather Hahn on Mar 30, 2020 09:05 am
The pandemic-forced postponement of General Conference has left United Methodist financial leaders with big questions about the denomination’s budget.
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Little Deaths

By Jim Parsons on Mar 30, 2020 08:54 am
The Rev. Jim Parsons counsels us to give room to lament, to grieve to mourn all the cancelled life events as well as the human deaths that are occurring during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Slave, Hired Hand, Friend - Relating to God

By Jason Valendy on Mar 30, 2020 08:52 am
How do you relate to God – as a fearful slave, a dutiful hired hand or as an adoring child to a loving parent? asks the Rev. Jason Valendy.
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Ajar

By Steve Harper on Mar 30, 2020 08:49 am
The Rev. Dr. Steve Harper encourages us not to use social distancing as an excuse to close ourselves off spiritually when the world needs our witness of hope.
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Western Jurisdiction Bishops Give Guidance on Holy Communion

By Western Jurisdiction Bishops on Mar 30, 2020 08:46 am
For those pastors who feel a deep need to provide Holy Communion to church members during coronavirus lockdown, Western Jurisdiction bishops offer instruction on how to offer the Eucharist via online worship.
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Letting Go of Righteousness

By Jason Valendy on Mar 30, 2020 08:45 am
The Rev. Jason Valendy finds the coronavirus pandemic teaches him that letting go of many things leads to peace, even letting go of righteousness
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Remembering Holy Week, Celebrating Easter at Home

By Cindy Solomon on Mar 30, 2020 08:42 am
Holy Week usually means multiple trips to church for special activities, but this year we look forward to a Stay-at-Home-Easter because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Here are suggestions to make the celebration joyous.
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