A United Methodist Insight Column
February is the month of Valentine's Day, but it's hard to send out hearts of love when our hearts at heavy at the continued scourge of gun violence in America. Methodist Federation for Social Action offers a way to respond positively to the ongoing violence by recommending a virtual symposium on the crisis.
MFSA's latest newsletter includes this announcement:
"Virtual Symposium: "The Deadly Intersection of White Supremacy and Firearms"
"The John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative are co-hosting a free virtual symposium, "The Deadly Intersection of White Supremacy and Firearms" from 9am-5pm ET February 9.
"The intersection of access to guns, hate crimes, and political violence enable violent and deadly manifestations of white supremacy that serve to maintain the status quo and prevent Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from attaining and exercising social, political, and economic power in the United States."
"Survivors, researchers, legal scholars, and political scientists will discuss the intersection of white supremacy, political violence and firearms, and the devastation it causes. Register"
We recognize that few of us workaday folks can devote a full day to this type of event (for example, it happens on a Thursday, which is Insight's weekly newsletter deadline when nothing else is done). However, there are those among us who can and should give up a day to focus on this crisis to guide the rest of us in recognizing its full scope. If you take advantage of this event, please report back to Insight.
Turn back the clock challenge
Even though the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has taken a lot of ribbing for the rather stiff photo it distributed of the annual unveiling of the Doomsday Clock, its editors have bounced back with a hopeful response: Turn back the clock challenge
Turn Back the Clock
Credit: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
The Bulletin's editors write: "The Doomsday Clock is a metaphor for how dangerous this moment in human history is - and the urgent need to get involved. We want to hear about the actions that inspire you and how we can work together to save the world.
"Our belief is that because humans created these problems, we have the obligation and opportunity to fix them. So, we're asking people to share their ideas about what can be done to turn back the Clock."
The Bulletin is seeking submissions on topics such as:
- Positive actions that inspire you
- People or groups who are making a difference
- How you and your community are helping to make the world safer
Contributors can share art, writing, videos or song on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or TikTok with the hashtag #TurnBackTheClock.
Coldest day
Hazards of winter warming
The USA has just come through a week of extremely cold weather and it likely to have more this week -- it's winter, after all -- but Climate Central warns that overall, winters are warming. That's wreaking unpleasant, even dangerous, changes in weather and climate. Here are some of Climate Central's key concepts:
- 204 U.S. locations have seen a drop in the annual number of freezing nights since 1970.
- The average change across these 204 locations was 13 fewer freezing nights.
- Local trends since 1970 are part of a larger trend: the most rapid warming in the U.S. has generally occurred when it’s typically coldest—including at night and during winter.
- These trends are likely to continue with additional heat-trapping emissions. By the middle of this century, 23 states are projected to see at least three or four fewer weeks of freezing days.
- Fewer freezing days and nights may reduce cold weather hazards and heating costs, while also negatively impacting economies and ecosystems that depend on the cold.
In line with these findings, the PBS program "Weathered," available on YouTube, has a valuable video on the riskiest places to live in the United States. Watch the video here.
It's well worth the 13 minutes it takes to watch the video for two reasons:
- Information is key in deciding where to move;
- Information is key to knowing how to prepare for weather's effect, to lessen damage and increase safety.
Does your church have a disaster preparedness plan?
Passing a Resolution
Our friends at the UM Creation Justice Movement remind us that "a resolution is not 'just a piece of paper,' and it’s worth the bother."
The link below goes to several models for possible resolutions that UMCJM offers to start conversations in your local church and annual conference, possibly even moving on to the 2024 General Conference. Model Resolutions
How to help others from home
The coronavirus pandemic put a big crimp in church volunteering. Aside from volunteer needs at local churches for worship, education and outreach, there are multiple ways that individuals and congregations can support those in need without being physically present.
Danielle Manion's article for AARP's The Ethel newsletter, How to Give Back to Those in Need Without Leaving Home, outlines multiple ways we can help others from a distance. Here are three options from Ms. Mannion's article that resonate with traditional church outreach:
- "Connect with cards and letters Does getting a handwritten letter bring a smile to your face? Imagine the good it will do a sick child, a health care worker, a veteran or someone living in a senior facility. Visit the Writing Wonders website, and a list of organizations accepting letters pops up with how-to instructions, ideas of what to write and a mailing address.
- "Do you sew, knit or crochet? Knots of Love and March of the Blanketeers are just two organizations that collect and distribute knitted and crocheted beanies, blankets and teddy bears to preemies and severely ill children and teens. They have guidelines, patterns and sizing information available to get you started. Your church may already have such a program you can join.
- "Readers in need The Society for the Blind runs the Access News program — a reading service “that allows volunteers to record current news, magazines, circulars and other items of interest to people who are blind, low-vision or cannot read conventional print” over the phone. Fill out an application and if you’re approved, they will send you instructions."
The benefits of volunteering are reciprocal, according to Ms. Mannion. “'Volunteering and Health for Aging Populations,' a 2011 study by the Population Reference Bureau in Washington, D.C., found the benefits of volunteering include better cognitive functioning, less depression, a greater sense of connection and even longer lives," she wrote.
When you're done volunteering, play!
NPR's Daily newsletter offers some good news: "The pandemic took a toll on our mental health, but the antidote is in site: Have more fun! Those giggles and playful moments can make a big difference to your health and well-being."
Media Mentions as of Feb. 1, 2023
Clergy protest legislation targeting transgender children in Missouri - The Washington Post
United Methodist Conference responds to the exodus of churches - YouTube
West Plains Conference of Global Methodist Church launches in Lubbock
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Waco-area Methodist churches seeing denomination's split
Waco Tribune-Herald
Midland First UMC sending meals to the Ukraine in time of war - Midland Daily News
Midland Daily News
Stanly churches vote to disaffiliate with United Methodist Church - | The Stanly News & Press
Two Stanly churches join lawsuit against United Methodist Church – The Stanly News & Press
FUMC's request for restraining order against state conference rejected, Ark. judge rules – KATV
Lake Highlands United Methodist Church votes to stay in the UMC – Lake Highlands Advocate - Advocate Magazine
Methodist Church split felt in Bryan-College Station – Bryan College Station Eagle
Local UMC bodies deciding about future with denomination | News | therandolphleader.com
Ionia's Zion United Methodist cleans up, rebuilds after fire - The Daily News
Community members spend 'One Winter Night' to raise awareness for homelessness – Wand TV
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A veteran religion journalist for 35 years, Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, an online journal she founded in 2011 as a channel for underserved and marginalized voices in The United Methodist Church. Her "Crisis Watch" column is one of Insight's contributions to Covering Climate Now, an international collaboration of more than 500 news outlets committed to enhance climate reporting. To reproduce this content elsewhere, email Insight for permission.