News
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
As we’ve entered a new year, we encourage our churches to remain vigilant in their safety precautions related to COVID-19. Even with the vaccine on the horizon, we know from our medical experts that we are far from out ...
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 ...
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, ...
September 08, 2020
Introducing NextGen Conversations
NextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Local church leaders often don’t have the time, energy or ...
June 04, 2020
Bishop Farr Check-In
Bishop Farr offers a reflection after a difficult week and encourages Missouri pastors and lay leaders to listen and take action. See more from Bishop Farr here.
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 ...
June 02, 2020
United Methodist Pastors Have Presence at Protests
United Methodists pastors have a presence at protests around the state as tensions continue to escalate.
June 01, 2020
Bishop Farr Expresses Outrage, Need to be Antiracist
Missouri Bishop Bob Farr expresses outrage over death of George Floyd and calls for United Methodists to do some homework to help them see their own bias and move to be anti-racist.
May 29, 2020
BISHOP FARR TO SERVE AS MISSOURI EPISCOPAL LEADER THROUGH POSTPONED JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE
Due to the impact of COVID-19, and the subsequent postponement of the General and Jurisdictional Conferences, Bishop Bob Farr will continue to serve as Resident Bishop of the Missouri Conference through the South Central...
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 26, 2020
Laity Voices: The Sunday Drive
Have you ever been on a Sunday drive? When I was very young, once a month, my family’s Sunday drive activity included a trip to Hiawatha, Kansas to see my grandfather. There were many of these trips where I was the ...
May 26, 2020
Methodists Support LifeWise STL During Pandemic
LifeWise STL doubles-down on helping people in need during the pandemic in St. Louis, and are back by United Methodist churches in their efforts.
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 ...
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May 19, 2020
Missouri Methodists and the 1918 Flu Epidemic
Conference newspaper provides some account of churches dealing with being shut down during the 1918 Spanish Flu.
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