MOAC Updates
April 30, 2021
COVID-19 Guidelines for In-Person Worship (May 1, 2021)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance that may allow reducing restrictions on gatherings particularly in outdoor spaces. In the spirit of doing no harm, Bishop Farr suggests that local...
March 15, 2021
Spring 2021 Mission COVID-19 Guidelines
Our first General Rule as United Methodists is to “do no harm.” This extends to our mission relationships. We want to “do no harm” with our volunteer activity or with the people we serve. Our goal as United Methodist ...
January 21, 2021
GUIDANCE for Returning to In-Person Worship
The Missouri Conference will revisit in-person worship guidance on or around May 1. As we’ve entered a new year, we encourage our churches to remain vigilant in their safety precautions related to COVID-19. Even with ...
January 20, 2021
Pastoring While Positive
Several pastors in the Missouri Conference have experienced the coronavirus first-hand.
November 19, 2020
Bishop Farr Discusses His Nov. 18 Guidance
Bishop Bob Farr discusses his Nov. 18 guidance on COVID-19, pandemic fatigue and how to minister in this challenging season.
November 18, 2020
Missouri Conference COVID-19 Update
Dear Missouri Conference Clergy and Laity, As we live into our first General Rule of doing no harm, I strongly encourage that in-person worship services be suspended until further notice for congregations located in ...
September 28, 2020
Baptisms During Distancing
Baptisms of youth continue during time of shutdowns.
September 28, 2020
Be Fed to Feed Others
A monthly drive-through event offers communion and mission opportunities.
September 28, 2020
Providing Meals Through the Pandemic
Church continues to provide meals while facing increasing need during the pandemic.
September 18, 2020
Church Helps Students During Shutdown
Elsberry UMC upgraded it’s Internet service and opened its facility to be used as a socially-distanced learning center while the high school is online only due to the pandemic.
September 18, 2020
Ice Cream Social - Socially Distanced Version
Church takes ice cream social on the road via an improvised ice cream truck.
September 11, 2020
Vital Signs Data Entry Suspension
Friends in Christ, This year, COVID-19 changed our means of doing ministry in ways that we could not have imagined. Many of our churches have developed new and creative ways to engage their congregations, communities, ...
June 03, 2020
Statement on Local Church Scouting Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
STATEMENT ON LOCAL CHURCH SCOUTING ACTIVITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC The Missouri Annual Conference is aware that several local churches charter boy scout troops. The Conference is also aware of questions with ...
May 28, 2020
Pre-Conference Briefing 2020
Pre-Conference Briefing 2020 from MoUMethodist on Vimeo.
May 28, 2020
The Church & COVID-19 Ministry Webinar: How to Welcome and Connect with Church Guests Online
How to Welcome and Connect with Church Guests Online Churches of every size are now meeting online for worship and experiencing the blessing of new people attending their services for the first time. Learn ways your ...
May 22, 2020
Guidance on Returning to Our Sanctuaries Remains Unchanged
Friday, May 22, 2020 Dear Colleagues in Ministry, This morning, President Donald J. Trump issued a statement calling on governors to allow houses of worship to open. In Missouri, Governor Mike Parson's Show Me Strong ...
May 18, 2020
Summer 2020 Camping Update: NextGen Camping Track Canceled
The Office of Next Generation Ministries has made the difficult decision to cancel the entirety of their NextGen track for mobile camping this summer. The health concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), ...
May 14, 2020
Saying Goodbye in the Time of Coronavirus
Missouri United Methodist colleagues in the midst of pastoral moves share in a collaborative conversation around the challenges of leaving in the midst of COVID-19 limitations.
May 06, 2020
The Church & COVID-19 Q&A with Bishop Farr
May 04, 2020
Returning to our Sanctuaries
Dear Colleagues in Ministry, In the days since Holy Week and Easter Sunday, I have found myself asking what is God saying to us during this time of quarantine? How does our response through corporate and private ...
April 30, 2020
June Camps Canceled
Missouri Conference camps scheduled for June have been canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
April 30, 2020
Missouri Annual Conference 2020 Session Postponed
Missouri Annual Conference Session, originally scheduled for June 5-7 in Springfield, has been postponed, and aspects of the Conference will now be conducted online.
April 30, 2020
The Church & COVID-19 Q&A with Bishop Farr
April 22, 2020
The Church & COVID-19 Q&A with Bishop Farr
April 16, 2020
2020 Apportionments
2020 Apportionments Potential consequences Conference finances Paid 2020 Apportionments District apportionments 2020 Apportionments On April 14, 2020, during its regular spring conference call, the Missouri Conference ...
April 15, 2020
The Church & COVID-19 Q&A with Bishop Farr
April 02, 2020
COVID-19 Legislation and the Church
Families First Act CARES Act EY Webinars Offering Guidance on Market Volatility Families First Act On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The text of the ...
March 30, 2020
COVID-19 Legislation and the Church
Read the email here
March 29, 2020
Bishop Farr's Episcopal Address March 29
Bishop Farr offers words of hope and courage in his video address below. Read the sermon manuscript.
March 18, 2020
The Church + the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dear Colleagues in Ministry, Due to the strong restrictions related to public gatherings issued by President Trump and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), I am strongly encouraging all our churches – ...
March 13, 2020
The Church + the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dear Colleagues in Ministry, Like you, I have watched the growing anxiety as we learn more and more about the COVID-19 virus in the United States. Let us be in prayer for those affected by the virus, especially those ...
March 13, 2020
Ways to be the Church in the Time of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Ideas on how to be the Church in the midst of the unfolding health crisis.
March 02, 2020
A Statement of Care and Compassion Concerning the Coronavirus Outbreak (updated 3/9/20)
Updated 3/9/20 Best practices, community guidelines, resources in response to the COVID-19 outbreak offered by the Missouri Conference of The United Methodist Church.