He Stood Up for Asbury UMC Against Vandalism

Crisis Watch Dec. 21, 2020

December 21, 2020

3:08 PM

Temporary BLM Sign

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It may have been difficult to read at night, but Graham Isaac and another man replaced a Black Lives Matter sign at Asbury UMC after its sign was torn down and burned by the Proud Boys white supremacist group Dec. 12. (Courtesy Photo)

Good news amid 2020’s tumult has come too seldom. That’s why the small act of a young man with United Methodist ties lightens our hearts so much.

Last week we were all angered by the vandalism against four churches in Washington, D.C., by the Proud Boys white supremacist group on Dec. 12. After a day of demonstrating in support of President Trump, the Proud Boys attacked Asbury UMC, tearing down its Black Lives Matter banner and burning it in the street.

That was too much for Graham Isaac, who grew up in East Greenwich United Methodist Church in Rhode Island where the Rev. Bill Trench is pastor. Contacted by Insight, Graham gave this account in an email:

“I live two blocks north of Asbury UMC but do not attend any church services here. I was just at home in my condo last Saturday night, watching a movie, minding my business and avoiding the mayhem outside that day, when I saw on social media what happened. I don't know what got into me, but it just enraged me.

“So I immediately got dressed and went down to the church to...I don't know really! Tell off whoever was still there, I guess! I mean, it's a hate crime committed by people who don't live in DC and don't share our community's views apparently, and against a historic Black church no less. [I guess what I wanted to say was] Just outrageous, go home, get out of my neighborhood!

“When I got there, it was quiet as the proud boys (I don't capitalize them) had moved off down to another location. A man on a bike pulled up with poster board and markers. He had biked over from Capitol Hill.

“We spoke and he said his name was Todd. He said he was here to put up replacements. I was like, ‘Good! I'll help!’ So we quickly put up some posters where the BLM sign was hanging before, took some photos, and said good-bye. It had started raining and continued through the night but the next day the signs were still up.”

Asbury Sign Replace

Photo Courtesy of Baltimore-Washington Conference

The next day, Asbury UMC replaced its Black Lives Matter sign and dedicated it the following Saturday with a service that featured Baltimore-Washington Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling.

“We are here because we are followers of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Easterling according to a story by Erik Alsgaard of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. “Asbury United Methodist Church raised a banner to stand in solidarity with Jesus the Christ’s ministry of setting the oppressed free. That banner was removed by trespassers who then employed the historic act of using fire to intimidate and terrorize Black and Brown people into silence."

Graham’s former pastor was so impressed with his actions that he posted the story with a photo on his Facebook page. “I'm proud to say Graham is one of our UMCEG ‘kids’," Dr. Trench wrote.

So are we, Bill. So are we.

More good news on LGBTQ rights

While we’re seeking out good news, there’s a new study from the Center for American Progress, using data from Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), that analyzes “the intersection of LGBTQ rights and religion and the type of media coverage these topics receive,” according to PRRI. “In their analysis, the authors note that PRRI data shows “majorities in every major religious group—with the exception of white evangelical Protestants—” support LGBTQ rights and marriage equality.” Consequently, PRRI concludes, “religious Americans strongly support LGBTQ rights, and this reality should be reflected to ensure fair and accurate media coverage.”

This means we need to be vigilant that media coverage acknowledges majority religious support for LGBTQ rights and doesn’t focus solely on conservative/evangelical opposition.

Let’s keep wearing our masks

One of the most charming videos I’ve seen this Christmas is a short on CNN featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the most trusted sources we’ve had during the coronavirus pandemic. With a grandfatherly twinkle in his eye, he reassures worried children that he personally has vaccinated Santa Claus against the coronavirus so that St. Nick can visit everyone for Christmas. Until the vaccine is widely available however, we’re still advised to wear our masks and keep physical distance from one another.

Unfortunately, those safeguards are less practiced by white evangelical Protestants, according to data released Dec. 18 by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). From its newsletter:

“PRRI data released on Thursday shows that white evangelical Protestants (63%) lag behind all Americans (78%) and all other religious affiliations in reporting they always wear a mask in public places. There is also a gender divide: Just 55% of white evangelical Protestant men report always wearing a mask, while 41% say they sometimes wear a mask and 3% say they never wear a mask. Additional data shows that nearly seven in ten Americans (69%) say that the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. could have been controlled better, while three in ten (30%) say an outbreak of this size was inevitable. White evangelical Protestants are the only religious group more likely to say that the outbreak was inevitable (55%) than to say it could have been controlled better (44%).”

Personally, I think a lot of us would rather stick with Dr. Fauci’s advice.

Media Mentions as of Dec. 21, 2020

DC church replaces Black Lives Matter banner destroyed by 'Proud Boys' – Sight Magazine

Proud Boys leader says he burned Black Lives Matter banner stolen from church during ... – Washington Post

2020 has tested the heart and soul of America – Religion News Service

Bethune-Cookman wins grant to lift up struggling churches in era of coronavirus – msnNOW

After turbulent 2020, faith in America faces more big issues – The Associated Press

COVID Christmas: Packed church wait-lists, live-streamed services and increased giving – The Washington Post*

Christmas without music? Churches are finding a way – The New York Times*

Los Angeles County reverses ban on indoor religious services after Supreme Court decision – KTLA

The Supreme Court’s confusing new ‘religious liberty’ order, explained – Vox

The Supreme Court opened the door for religious charter schools – Newsweek