News Release: Church and Society Adopts Remote Work in Response to COVID-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2020

To lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Church and Society staff adopted a remote work policy starting today through at least March 30.

The policy applies to staff working at the Church Center for the UN and the United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C. All travel is frozen until further review.

Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of Church and Society said, “As we move into new and unknown emotional, spiritual and social spaces we will be in this together. Our response as the body of Christ signifies our concern for justice with compassion as we respond in this time of crisis.”

Currently, no Church and Society staff have tested positive with COVID-19.

The United Methodist Building in Washington, D.C. was temporarily closed, effective 5 p.m. Friday, March 13. Other offices and occupants of the building may continue to have access to the facilities until further notice.

“This policy cares for the most vulnerable without interrupting the urgent need for advocacy,” said Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary of Church and Society. “Our concern is for the good of all and our collective prayers and actions save lives, especially for those who are most vulnerable.”

“As we all navigate the impacts of this pandemic on our daily lives, we cannot ignore the ways in which it is compounding existing injustices,” said Henry-Crowe. “We will pray for all those suffering from and on the frontlines responding to the virus.”

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About Church and Society

With offices on Capitol Hill and at the United Nations, the General Board of Church and Society is the advocacy arm of the United Methodist Church. The board is called to advocate for the implementation of the Social Principles.

Contact:

Kurt Adams, Communications Director

(202) 488-5630 or kadams@umcjustice.org