A United Methodist Insight Column
Here's a thought: What if we turned weekday-empty church buildings into "resilience centers" to help people survive extreme heat?
Impetus for this idea comes from two sources. First, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Frank and architecture expert Rick Reinhard wrote how the UMC needs to address its property issues if it truly wants to achieve its net-zero-emission carbon goals. Then this week from The Guardian comes this fascinating story of climate adaptation: A living, breathing building’: the rise of resilience centers amid extreme heat in the US
Here's how Guardian writer Gabriela Aoun explains the concept:
"The Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory is an example of what is known in California and beyond as a “resilience center” – a community space built to withstand climate disruptions like storms and power outages, but that also builds long-term preparedness by offering programs that improve people’s social, physical and economic health so they can withstand crises. Community members have found that temporary, reactive disaster responses like emergency shelters don’t adequately protect residents, and that, especially in disadvantaged communities, climate resilience must also address pre-existing inequities.
"As hazards like wildfire smoke, extreme heat and power outages last longer and happen more often, more communities across California are turning to these centers for support, and the state has committed nearly $200m in funding to developing more."
In their article "Church Must Address Property Issues in Net-Zero Effort" Frank and Reinhard show how unused church buildings are a "growing disaster" for the denomination. Their key points:
- The biggest step The United Methodist Church could take to reduce its carbon footprint would be to address its vast amounts of underused property.
- For the environment, underused United Methodist Church buildings are a growing disaster, and churches and conferences should be assessing their impacts.
- The church is largely organized on a 19th-century model for mission, and it must face up to its own role in the environmental crisis.
How about offering this idea at the next meeting of your church's "green team" or administrative council?
Criminal Investigation Launched into DeSantis Asylum Seeker Flights
PRRI newsletter brings this news capsule of interest to all United Methodists working with immigration ministries:
"Gloria Oladipo for The Guardian reports that a criminal investigation is underway in Texas into whether dozens of asylum seekers were illegally flown by Florida governor Ron DeSantis to Martha’s Vineyard. Texas’s Javier Salazar, the Bexar County sheriff, stated that it seemed evident that asylum seekers had been 'lured under false pretenses,' with a recruiter given a 'bird dog fee' to gather dozens of people who were outside a San Antonio migrant resource center. Many of the asylum seekers were 'promised benefits [that] are only available for refugees, a specific categorization under US immigration law that the asylum seekers do not currently fall under,' Oladipo writes. PRRI research finds that as of late 2021, about six in ten Americans (62%) say that immigrants living in the U.S. illegally should be allowed a way to become citizens provided they meet certain requirements. "
But wait, there's more ...
Victimizing immigrants seeking asylum also has angered the Biden Administration, according to Axios.com. Its newsletter (emphasis by Axios) says:
"Republican governors have transported more than 10,000 migrants to Democratic strongholds since April, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.
The big picture: The vast majority of the migrants — mostly Venezuelans seeking asylum — have been sent to Washington, D.C., where Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public emergency over the influx.
"The tactic reached a fever pitch this week when migrants were flown to Martha's Vineyard and dropped off in front of Vice President Harris' residence.
"The Biden administration has signaled it is considering legal options to halt the relocations. Biden's top border official blasted the GOP governors of Texas, Arizona and Florida for 'lying' to migrant families about housing, job opportunities and other support they will receive once they're in the northern cities."
United Methodists on the ground in Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago have been helping the immigrants sent to their cities. The United Methodist Council of Bishops has had an immigration task force in place for several years. The task force was headed by Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the California-Nevada Annual Conference.
Unfortunately, Bishop Carcaño has been under suspension since March 9 because of unspecified charges brought against her. MARCHA, the United Methodist Hispanic/Latinx caucus, sent an open letter Sept. 8 to the Council seeking Bishop Carcaño's reinstatement. The Council replied that adjudication of her case by the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops has been delayed because of an appeal sent to the Judicial Council, which doesn't meet until later this fall.
Meanwhile, the immigrants await justice.
Media Mentions as of Sept. 24, 2022
Central Feeding Ministry in Staunton finding new ways to serve the community - WHSV
SALS offers tax credits, receives housing grant | News | fayettetribune.com
Marco Dementia Respite launches successfully to a full house – Marco Eagle
An Exciting Fall: Groups, Serve Opportunities, Events & More! - Church of the Resurrection
Disarming a Weaponized Church: Moving Forward Amid Turmoil in the UMC – ChurchLeaders
Historic Central United Methodist Church Reflects on its Complex Past as it Prepares to Close – Flatland KC
Stay UMC Jonesboro to host speaker | Announcements | jonesborosun.com
'We are more powerful together': How a desire for Christian unity filled a city park - The Oklahoman