West Ohio Mission
A mission team from West Ohio Annual Conference packages and distributes children's and adult vitamins while on a medical mission to Mexico. (West Ohio Conference Photo)
A United Methodist Insight Column
The right to abortion is at a crisis point in the United States. Here’s something to ponder from Public Religion Research Institute’s May 11 newsletter:
“Lauren Jackson for The New York Times recounts the past week as a parallel to 1973 America: ‘The United States withdrew, defeated, from a protracted, brutal war; debated the right to an abortion in the Supreme Court; and weathered a tense geopolitical standoff with Russia, with no end in sight.’ She explores the connection between the right to abortion and the state of women’s rights today. Although one study finds that majorities of women across age groups (61%) say “feminist” describes them at least somewhat well, Jackson proposes that it doesn’t necessarily correlate directly to political, social, or economic equity. She highlights the notion that, based on current data, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years. While women around the world have more legal rights than they have ever had before, on average they still only have three-quarters of the legal rights of men, she notes.”
Furthermore, “PRRI research found that a broad majority of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade (61%) and just over one-third (36%) support it. Women (52%) are more likely than men (44%) to say they don’t know what will happen if the landmark Roe ruling is overturned.”
While historically the church has been an oppressor of women leading up to today’s crisis over abortion rights, the biblical witness is that Jesus treated women as equals at a time that Jewish society held them to be lesser than men. For all his perceived misogyny, the Apostle Paul nonetheless affirmed to the church in Galatia: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:27-28).
If we trust that Paul speaks truth, and we are all one in Christ, then why aren’t we flooding the streets to demonstrate on behalf of women’s equality?
West Ohio a fountain of mission outreach
The latest “Mission Mosaic” newsletter of the West Ohio Annual Conference is nothing short of amazing. The United Methodists in West Ohio are on fire for mission both at home and internationally. Here are some excerpts from the newsletter to inspire the rest of us:
“The April/May 2022 Medical Mission to Mexico was nothing short of amazing. The team was small but mighty with 11 people on the mission, several of them new. The team saw a total of 260 patients in the three days that we operated the mobile clinic. In that time, the team also passed out more than 7,000 children’s and 7,000 adult vitamins, prayed for and with hundreds of patients, and provided a dietician, legal advice, physical therapy, an optometrist, and haircuts to the community.”
Cut trees in Tennessee
Volunteers from West Ohio cut up trees downed in recent storms in Tennessee. (West Ohio Conference Photo)
“Disaster response: Clean-up continues in parts of Kentucky hit by the December 2021 tornado, while other communities are ready for repair and rebuilding. The widespread nature of the damage means that the pace of recovery will be different for each community, depending on the pathway that community takes to recovery. West Ohio has sent three teams in the past two months with a total of 51 volunteers who have cut up trees, removed debris, re-tarped roofs, tore out and rebuilt walls, etc. At least three more teams are scheduled for summer and fall.
Food justice
Justice issues abound in the growth, preparation and distribution of food. (West Ohio Conference Photo)
“Social Justice: Did you ever wonder how the food you're eating got to your table? Food systems have many stops along the way, from planting to harvesting to processing to transportation to distribution! And on that journey, food can have a variety of impacts on the environment, the economy, and the community. So the question becomes: how just is the food system you're part of? Here are some ways you can participate in more sustainable food systems:
- Shop Local - Local food from smaller producers can be a little more expensive, but even buying a portion of your groceries from local farmers or farmers' markets will make an impact.
- Ask Questions - When buying local, you can ask your producers about sustainable practices like cover crops, avoiding pesticides, crop rotation, and paying a living wage.
- Look for Certifications - For products grown far from home, like coffee or chocolate, look for certain logos or certifications that indicate sustainable practices.
- Join a CSA - Community Supported Agriculture is where you buy a 'share' of produce up-front, then benefit from a diverse selection of fresh, local produce each week.
- Learn to Compost - Food waste sent to a landfill generates methane, whereas compost can be put back into the earth to increase soil health.
- Work Towards Zero Waste - Buy only what you will truly eat; use your freezer or can fresh foods to eat during the winter; and compost what you must throw away.
“Another way you can promote more just food systems is by advocating for programs that will reduce food insecurity and childhood hunger. Call or write to your legislators to encourage them to support expanding the child tax credit and providing universal school meals.”
Kudos, West Ohio. You’re a shining example of doing all the good you can. Although the latest issue isn’t posted yet on the West Ohio website, you can sign up to receive the newsletter by emailing mgrace@wocumc.org.
UMC food pantry feeds hungry in Arkansas
Here’s another good example, again on food insecurity, from the Arkansas Conference newsletter:
“Working in Fort Smith, where nearly one in five people live in poverty, the level of need can be overwhelming and disheartening. The volunteers at the Mission United Methodist Church Food Pantry have never backed down from this challenge,” writes Catherine Nolte for the Fort Smith Times Record. “Any time the church building is open, people know that they can find help without judgment. Tina Gordon, a volunteer with the pantry, said this reputation draws in others as hope spreads by word of mouth.” Continue reading”
Media Mentions as of May 11, 2022
Inside the start of a new traditionalist Methodist denomination and its road ahead - The Oak Ridger
United Methodist bishops comment on breakup | | journalpatriot.com
United Methodist Church split draws celebration, lament and soul-searching - Baptist News Global
Community Shoutout: Lovers Lane United Methodist Church has benefited more than ... - CW33.com
TV opens doors of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church to broader audience – The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
West Palm Beach church hosts dinner dance for adults with special needs - WPTV
OP police investigate hate crime after banner in support of LGBTQ community found slashed – The Kansas City Star
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.