I Give Teachers
Teachers at all educational levels are wrestling these days with vast uncertainties about the coming school year. Some face being compelled to return to school despite the ongoing threat of COVID-19, while others are trying to craft a new round of lesson plans for distance learning. Now The United Methodist Church wants to show its appreciation for teachers at the same time it helps local congregations increase financial resources depleted by the pandemic.
From Aug. 1 through Aug. 15, a church-wide emphasis called #IGiveUMC encourages United Methodists to honor teachers. Donors are invited to make special contributions to local congregations and share messages about teachers who have shaped their lives. Contributors also are asked to share photos, videos or other posts on social media about influential teachers and the donations that honor them, challenging others to make similar gifts.
“Teachers can be defined in a multitude of ways, whether they are schoolteachers, Sunday school teachers, clergy or parents stepping into the roles of professional teachers,” said a press release. The campaign encourages donors to give in honor or memory of a teacher to their local church, or to the church of their honoree, a congregation their family helped found, or the church in which they grew up.
The #IGiveUMC announcement also said, “A specially created webpage offers information, ideas and examples to help churches and their members to participate to the fullest. You will find resources like a how-to guide, graphics, logos, a video script and promotional sample letters. Resources are also available in five languages (Spanish, Korean, French, Portuguese and English)!”
SBC21 Director to discuss 100-day plan of action
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News)— Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century will hold a virtual welcome for the Rev. Michael L. Bowie Jr., the group's new executive director, on July 30 at 5 p.m. Central time. He will announce a 100-day plan of action that includes an Aug. 4 conversation about equipping youth and young adults for social justice. That conversation will feature former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young. Register for the event.
Asian Americans targeted for COVID-19
While the newly energized movement against U. S. racism focuses on recent killings of Black people, Anti-Racism Daily reminds us that the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in renewed discrimination against Asian Americans. Among key factors:
- The onset of COVID-19 in early March set off a dramatic spike in anti-Asian racism.
- The U.S. and Canada have a history of accusing Asian Americans of disease as one of many ways to discriminate and incite violence against them.
- Our country's practice of "othering" has caused significant harm to Asian Americans, which is exacerbated by the current racial discrimination during COVID-19.
Asian American United Methodists have already taken a stand in support of revived anti-racism efforts on behalf of their Black neighbors. The UMC’s 12 Asian American Language Ministries, housed with the General Board of Global Ministries, issued a statement July 8 urging solidarity against the “extrajudicial” killings of Black people. Acknowledging a historic debt to the Civil Rights movement that resulted in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, the coalition called on Asian American United Methodists “to confront, confess and repent of our own sin of racism and our own biases and complicity to racial injustice in our own communities.” AALM promised to sponsor anti-racism training and resources for the Asian American church communities its ministries serve.
UM Men’s prayer booklet now online
United Methodist Men’s new prayer booklet, “United Methodist Men Pray for Peace with Justice,” is now available online via the Issuu publishing website. Click here to access the booklet.
New online course launching Aug. 1
The General Commission on Religion and Race will launch a new online course, You Are Here: First Steps for White Christians on Race and Racism Aug. 1. Described as a course “for Christians who want to acquire a fundamental understanding of race and racism from a biblical perspective, the four-part self-directed course offers videos featuring Robin DiAngelo and Rev. Dr. Anderson Hooker, reflections, and activities to help people recognize racism and begin to challenge it in their lives. Interested participants can registered now for a special tuition for the first 100 registrations: $34.99. Regular price will be $39.99.
Media Mentions as of July 29, 2020
Cops and Chaplains
The Rev. Jeremy Wicks (front) takes part in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in northern Michigan. Wicks has served as a police chaplain, a reserve police officer and a Black Lives Matter organizer. (Photo courtesy of the Rev. Jeremy Wicks via UM News.)
Pastors with a badge advance police reforms – UM News
Groome church votes to leave Methodist denomination – CapeGazette.com
The war over in-person church continues – Religion News Service
Major new study on charitable giving offers 'reassurance and warning' to faith-based nonprofits – Religion News Service
Utah Sen. Mike Lee asks Trump to prod states to reopen churches or face loss of COVID-19 aid – The Salt Lake Tribune *
Schools may not open to students this fall, but churches might — for remote learning – Religion News Service
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.