News
April 05, 2021
Virtual Session Planned for MOAC21
Based on where we currently are in the vaccination rollout and in our efforts to do no harm, we have decided to hold this year’s annual conference session virtually with invitation-only in-person attendance. This ...
March 30, 2021
Tips for Earth Day
Earth Day is April 22, 2021. The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is providing these tips as a tool to equip church members, families, and individuals to respond to God’s call to care for creation and do ...
March 26, 2021
Music’s Rightful Place Within Our Praise & Worship for Our Lord
By Rev. Karen Shearer, pastor of Grace UMC (Madison) I had arrived on a good day. Betty was awake in her recliner and smiled at me as I entered her room. Her baby doll was resting in her arms and every so often, she ...
March 25, 2021
Stations of the Cross 2021
A Springfield church uses local events to relate the journey of the Stations of the Cross to modern times.
March 21, 2021
The Gathering Students Raises $10,700 for Fresh Water
By Lauren Miers Martin Leathers takes the phrase “skin in the game” literally. The Gathering Students Pastor said for $10,000 he would shave the beard he had been growing for three years. Every fall since 2018, The ...
March 16, 2021
Mark Twain District Superintendent Announcement
Bishop Bob Farr announced his plan for the supervision of the Mark Twain district due to the planned June retirement of current District Superintendent Steve Pinnell. “I have named Rev. Mi Hyeon Lee as the District ...
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 ...
March 04, 2021
Students Across Missouri Attend Virtual Youth Conference
On Saturday, February 27, 16 churches and over 100 students and leaders gathered virtually for LEAP, a one-day youth conference. Seven speakers shared on the Fruits of the Spirit and offered relevant, actionable messages...
March 01, 2021
Churches Support Community with Nutrition
Zion and New Covenant conduct food distributions every week.
February 26, 2021
111 Hand-Washing Stations Provided to Mozambique
By Lucas Endicott While all of us have been impacted by COVID-19, people in Mozambique have especially felt the weight of the pandemic. In Mozambique, those who earn a daily wage by working in the fields or selling ...
February 25, 2021
General Conference Postponed, Digital Special Session Scheduled
Bishop Farr intends to host a virtual clergy conversation to unpack the news released today about further postponement of General Conference 2020 and the announced special session on May 8, which you can read more about ...
February 23, 2021
A Backlog of Grief
Churches should prepare to help people through a wave of grief as we begin to come together again.
February 23, 2021
The Digital Church as a New Site
Some churches are going beyond enhancing their online presence and beginning to think about it as a new church site.
February 19, 2021
Resolution to Reduce Districts to Come Before Conference Session in June
The Missouri Conference Mission Council has voted unanimously to recommend that the Missouri Conference reduce the number of districts from nine to five beginning July 1, 2022. A proposal will be brought to annual ...
February 12, 2021
Making Space for God
By Rev. Sandy Nenadal The season of Lent will soon be upon us, and so much has happened in our nation. We continue to face rising infections and deaths from COVID-19. The Capitol building was rocked by violence, and a ...
January 27, 2021
Vaccinated at Church
A United Methodist church uses its fellowship hall for a vaccination clinic.
January 25, 2021
Episcopal Task Force on Race and Culture Named
In response to continued conversation and action as it relates to race and ethnicity, Bishop Robert Farr announces the formation of a Task Force on Race and Culture. In consultation with Conference leadership, Bishop ...
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
Black Genius School: Learning At Home
By Lauren Miers Parents of school-aged children know keeping kids motivated to continue their online distance learning schoolwork is difficult. Rev. Charity Goodwin and her sister Tramaine Williams encouraged their ...
January 20, 2021
Pastoring While Positive
Several pastors in the Missouri Conference have experienced the coronavirus first-hand.
January 20, 2021
Still Ringing: Bells from Legacy Churches Ring On at Descendant Church
A bell on a stand in front of a church is a familiar scene. The bell had often been in the steeple of a former building and was moved when the church moved to a new location. Three bells, however, is much more unusual. ...
January 19, 2021
A Day On
Church of the Resurrection puts people to work serving the community on the MLK Day holiday.
January 07, 2021
Statement By Bishop Robert Farr On Insurrection At The Capitol
What happened at the U.S. Capitol yesterday was un-American. It was not okay. Even as we affirm the rights of freedom of speech and to peacefully assemble, the peaceful transition of power is a pillar of a democracy and...
December 21, 2020
Mobility Cart Production Ready to Ramp Up at New Center
A new production facility has been built for manufacturing mobility carts, formerly known as PETs.
December 17, 2020
Free Pre-Recorded Sermon/Worship Service for Dec. 27
Looking for a biblically-based sermon in order to take a Sunday off following Christmas? Rev. Dr. Bruce Baxter, Southeast District Superintendent, has made his sermon, Finishing Well (2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians ...
December 07, 2020
Christmas Lights in the Country
High-tech musical lights display draws droves to small rural church.
November 23, 2020
Not Alone
The Caring People ministry provides community and support for single mothers.
November 23, 2020
Young and At Risk
The Rare Breed ministry in Springfield provides a help to homeless and at risk teens.
November 20, 2020
Extending A Hand to Louisiana
By Scott Burdin, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator Seeing a street lined with refrigerators is always surprising the first time you notice it. Our Disaster Response team deployed to Louisiana early Oct. 27 from ...
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 19, 2020
Turning Internships into Jobs
Two Crossroads interns how worked through the pandemic have stayed on the job at their churches after their internships were up.
November 19, 2020
United Methodist Churches Serve as Polling Places
Several United Methodist churches in Missouri offer up their facilities to be used as polling places.
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 ...
October 12, 2020
Bishop Farr Encourages Voting
Missouri Bishop Bob Farr issues a statement encouraging people to vote, assist others in voting and do what they can to support fair elections.
October 10, 2020
Nurturing Your Mental Health
Written by Robin Ewy, LPC The year 2020 has taken a toll on most of us. God made us for community, and the political/social climate and Coronavirus have thrown us for a loop. We are not meant to be alone yet social ...
October 09, 2020
Leading Through Anxious Times
Bishop Farr shares encouragement about leading through anxious times.
October 01, 2020
Communion Circles Offer Safe Way to Receive Holy Communion
Church offers communion in circles (small groups) to meet local health guidelines.
September 29, 2020
Pray for Election Day 2020
Lay pastor Ivan James has been watching with concern the national dialogue as the country nears the November 3 election. Deepening political divisions in America and the fear that votes won’t get counted, has eroded ...
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 21, 2020
Bishop Leads Ride for Mozambique Motorcycles
Missouri Bishop Bob Farr led motorcycle riders on ride hundreds of miles around the state to raise awareness and money to provide motorcycles for pastors in Mozambique.
September 18, 2020
Annual Conference Goes On, Online
After a summer of Annual Conference related learning opportunities and reports online, the Missouri Annual Conference Session was held as an online event on August 22.
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
Diversifying the Pastor's Study
Barth, Bonhoeffer, Brueggemann, Calvin, Craddock, Luther, Moltmann, Tillich and Wesley. These are the names that line many pastors’ studies. They are the standards or “classics” of seminaries and theological education ...
September 18, 2020
Ice Cream Social - Socially Distanced Version
Church takes ice cream social on the road via an improvised ice cream truck.
September 18, 2020
On Their Way
Important milestone passed as clergy are commissioned on the path to the ordination.
September 17, 2020
Deacons, Elders Welcomed into Full Connection
A sacred moment of the Service of Ordination is the Laying on of Hands by the bishop, as he prays for God to pour the Holy Spirit upon the person being ordained.
September 17, 2020
United Methodist Church and Episcopal Church put full communion plans on hold
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United Methodist – Episcopal Church Dialogue Committee has agreed that it is not prudent for our churches to press forward with action on full communion next year. Instead, the Committee ...