Wind turbines
Photo courtesy of Katharine Hayhoe
A United Methodist Insight Column
While the editors are still on the road, here are some notes from all over.
For starters, our favorite climate scientist, Katharine Hayhoe, says we may be on the verge of a green revolution that will benefit everyone. From her latest newsletter "Talking Climate with Katharine Hayhoe:"
"The new Inflation Reduction Act could transform the American economy and make the country a clean-energy powerhouse, a new analysis from the investment bank Credit Suisse has found.
"The direct economic impact of the bill could be far greater than what has been forecast: $800 billion rather than the $374 predicted by a congressional analysis. That number could reach up to $1.7 trillion when private investment is included.
"The IRA could give America a 'competitive advantage in low-cost clean electricity and hydrogen production, infrastructure, geologic storage, and human capital,' Credit Suisse found, and push U.S. wind and solar prices to $5 per megawatt hour, making them 'the cheapest in the world.'
"If these predictions come to pass, this is incredibly good news for everyone!"
Think of it: green energy would help save God's creation and bring lower costs for church building maintenance and lower costs for families, freeing up more income for mission and ministry. That's worth keeping an eye on.
Marine sanctuary
Photo by Dmitry Bukhantsov on Unsplash
Marine Sanctuaries Act marks 50th anniversary
Helen Smith, ocean climate action associate for the ecumenical organization, Creation Justice Ministries, reminds everyone:
"Sunday, October 23rd will be the 50th Anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act! This is such an exciting and momentous occasion. Unfortunately, our nations marine sanctuaries have not been treated with the best care and gentleness these past 50 years. With this anniversary fast approaching, we need to fulfill our call from God to care for God's Creation.
"Join us in urging the administration to strengthen the protections surrounding our national marine sanctuaries. While the National Marine Sanctuary system helps to protect God's creation, it is not living up to its name. In many places, our marine sanctuaries are not being treated as sacred. Too often, they are not being protected from extraction and exploitation, which negatively affects the human and nonhuman communities that rely on the ocean."
Creation Justice Ministries offers a toolkit with resources to share on social media, to pray in your community on Oct. 23 and send a Letter to the Editor to your local publication. Download the Toolkit Here
Have an emergency plan?
From Worship Facility website:
"Do you have a plan in place, has it been communicated, and importantly, are volunteers trained and aware of what’s expected of them? If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to put emergency preparedness on the top of your to do list!" The website article by Simon Osamoh, founder of Kingswood Security Consulting, recommends two plans.
"Emergency Operations Plan: To ensure that in an emergency, human disasters, natural disasters and technological hazards, people know what to do and how to keep safe. Consider this your in-the-moment plan!
"Business Continuity Plan: Ensures that time-sensitive and critical organization functions can be resumed quickly after an outage or failure. Consider this your post-event recovery plan!"
Read the article for the full details. In these days of multiple emergencies, planning for inevitable disasters is the best defense!
Media Mentions as of Oct. 16, 2022
Ministry offers therapy to Ukrainian refugees - UM News
United Methodists bring light and hope to Florida with solar energy - Global Ministries
Church helps Ukrainian refugees start business - UM News
What we know: United Methodist disaffiliation in Oklahoma – The Oklahoman
A Monthly Metropolis Ministries Series Equipping and Enriching Parish Life – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
AP covers the new Pentecost in United Methodist life, without mentioning Ms. Penny Cost –GetReligion
New pastor serves United Methodist churches in Glenford, Thornville | News | perrytribune.com
United Methodists are breaking up in a slow-motion schism | Christianity | goskagit.com
Where will they go on Sundays? - Washington Daily News
New organization seeks to help homeless families with children - The Winchester Star
Storm damaged church receives support from fellow churches - MSC News
Opinion | Gary Mueller: For our future – The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Religious people changing beliefs based on politics: Study - Washington Examiner
Rogers Park Church's Pro-LGBTQ Sign Stolen: 'We'll Put It Back Up As Many Times As We Need To' – Block Club Chicago
Couple shares love for Lawrenceville United Methodist Church - Independent-Messenger
United Methodists bring light and hope to Florida with solar energy - Global Ministries
Church in rural Washtenaw County seeks to be 'welcoming home' for LGBTQ members – MLive.com
Grace UMC donates to fire department - The Record Herald
UMCOR helps local partners respond to Hurricane Ian - Global Ministries
Some Johnstown-area United Methodist churches looking to exit denomination – Tribune-Democrat
South Africans march against gender-based violence - UM News
Native American leader discusses threatened cultures - UM News
Churches show support for controversial Peace Trail Village - Pamplin Media Group
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While enjoying several days' vacation with her husband, John, and their adult son Sean, Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle keeps her promise to provide news coverage for concerned United Methodists. "Crisis Watch" is part of Insight's participation in Covering Climate Now, a worldwide collaboration of more than 500 news outlets committed to enhanced reporting on the climate crisis.