United Methodist Churches in Indiana are using emerging technologies—and creativity—during the ongoing pandemic to help share their Sunday sermons, connect with congregants, and bless their communities. Here are just a few stories of how Indiana United Methodist churches are thinking outside the box and keeping their mission alive, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

Trinity UMC, New Albany
Southwest District
A Trinity UMC Sunday school class served their community when a local soup kitchen ministry was canceled. They saw the need and took action by preparing and distributing “sack lunches.”

Front Porch
North District
Front Porch launched a 5×5 movement. Congregants were challenged to check in with neighbors 5 houses to the right and 5 houses to the left. Members are getting to know their neighbors (some for the first time) and helping to meet their needs.

Argos UMC
North District 
Argos UMC made care packages with pre-packaged snacks and thank you notes for the medical staff at local hospitals and nursing homes.

Marquette Park UMC and Hobart First UMC 
North District
Marquette Park UMC and Hobart First UMC are hosting a drive-in theater style service on Easter morning in the parking lot of the aquatorium in Gary.

Folsom Memorial UMC 
West District 
In an effort to serve their community, church members at Folsom Memorial UMC are gathering in groups no larger than 10 persons to sew face masks for medical personnel at Greene County Hospital.

Noblesville First UMC
North Central District 
Noblesville First UMC is choosing a “Hymn of the Week” and inviting congregants to record a video at home singing or playing the hymn on their favorite instrument. Videos are then shared on the church’s Facebook page.

Tanner Valley UMC
Southeast District
Tanner Valley UMC provided families with ideas for a home-staged stations of the cross.

Logansport First UMC
Northwest District 
Logansport First UMC raised money to pay their preschool staff during their shut down.

Asbury UMC, Columbus
Southeast District
In coordination with Columbus Regional Health, a group of engineers from Asbury UMC designed a respirator. 150 will be built this week.

Hammond First
North District 
Hammond First UMC families with young children are making greeting cards. These cards are, in turn, sent to other parishioners who are more isolated.

Chapel Hill UMC 
Central District
Chapel Hill UMC hosts a Gleaner’s Food Pantry once a month that usually serves around 120 families. Because of the Coronavirus, they instead had a drive-thru food pantry, which served 591 people. They also had special stations for diapers and pet food.

University of Evansville
Southwest District
The University of Evansville, a United Methodist-related university, blessed medical personnel when their School of Nursing, Physician Assistant Science, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs donated personal protective equipment to local hospitals.