A United Methodist Insight Column
United Methodist churches, agencies and other faith-based organizations are stepping up to the multiple challenges of dismantling racism and dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, as well as LGBTQ justice issues, with a wealth of free online resources. Here are some of what’s available in the coming weeks:
Stop racist gender violence
Traci C. West
The Rev. Traci C. West speaks about practicing radical solidarity at Our Movement Forward pre-conference on May 17, 2019 at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. (Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.)
The Rev. Dr. Traci C. West, an activist-scholar from United Methodist-related Drew University, will lead a conversation at 7 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 16, about tools faith leaders need to stop racist gender violence. The event is sponsored by The Festival Center in Washington, D.C., a community programming and event center headed by United Methodist layman Bill Mefford, executive director.
“Most academic, church, and political approaches to gender violence seem to focus almost exclusively on crisis responses to individual victim-survivors after gendered assaults have occurred,” says an announcement of the event. “But what kind of church and religious resources might enable us to create a more systemic response aimed at ending gender violence?" Sign up here or email the center for details.
‘Mission Beyond COVID-19’ webinars offered
Dr. David W. Scott reports on UM & Global that the General Board of Global Ministries has started a new monthly webinar series, "Mission Beyond COVID-19." The series examines aspects of mission theology in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Scott, a United Methodist layman, will facilitate a conversation with Rev. Dr. L. Wesley de Souza and Rev. Dr. Jack Jackson on evangelism. The webinar will happen at 3:30 EDT Monday, July 13. Those interested may join with this link and the password 7575.
Same-gender wedding preparations
The United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy & Friends and the Mountain Sky Queer Clergy Caucus will sponsor an online forum to explore “how pastors and local church members might prepare for same-gender weddings,” according to a press release from the Rev. Dr. Donald Messer, UMARC chairman. The forum, "Let's Talk LGBTQ+ Weddings" will be held at 10:00 AM MDT on July 15.
Two Mountain Sky Area clergy, Rev. Sharon Langfeldt and Rev. Angie Kotzmoyer, will lead the Zoom webinar, aimed at overcoming pastoral obstacles to same-gender weddings. Rev. Langfeldt serves as senior pastor at Christ Church United Methodist in Denver and Rev. Kotzmoyer serves as lead pastor at the Applewood Valley United Methodist Church in Golden, Colo. A panel will pose questions and share experiences after the presentation. For more details, watch a 30-second video. Click here to register.
Free COVID-19 testing at North Texas churches in July
During July, three North Texas Conference churches will offer COVID-19 testing as part of an initiative, “Together We Test,” spearheaded by a local movement called Project Unity. Tests will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates:
July 10, 17, 24, 31 at St. Luke “Community” UMC
July 13, 20, 27 at Cochran Chapel UMC
July 14, 21, 28 at Hamilton Park UMC
Project Unity is an ongoing community movement in Dallas that was formed after the July 7, 2016 ambush in which five police officers were killed. Its goal is to foster racial healing in greater Dallas through community events. Project Unity was initiated by the Rev. Richie Butler, former senior pastor of Saint Paul’s UMC who is now senior pastor of St. Luke “Community” UMC, both historically Black churches in Dallas.
Disability leaders issue statement on reopening churches
The executive team of the Association of Ministers with Disabilities has urged bishops and pastors to update public health guidelines about re-opening churches in order to protect clergy and members with disabilities that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. The statement reads in part:
“As countries around the world continue to struggle with increasing numbers of individuals being infected with coronavirus, we, the United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities, call on our conference leaders to be mindful of the health concerns of our United Methodist clergy, local-licensed pastors, and lay staff members of conferences and local congregations, specifically those who may be living with a disability that makes them particularly vulnerable to this virus. Many conferences have released guidelines for conferences to begin reopening for in-person worship services as well as mission, ministry, and church events. However, many of these guidelines lack any particular advice or support for clergy or staff members who, individually, do not feel safe returning due to their own health concerns or the health of a member of their household.”
The statement acknowledges the pressure many clergy are feeling from church members who want to re-open buildings, but the organization urges extra caution. “We believe it is important for bishops and cabinet members to update guidelines and offer conference support for ministers who do not feel safe returning to in-person activities.” Read the full statement on the UM Disability blog.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.