A United Methodist Insight Column
As they say on classic rock radio, the hits just keep on comin’. Here’s a brief wrap-up of where we stand from multiple crises on Sept. 3.
Ida’s remnants slam Mid-Atlantic, Northeast
Say an extra prayer for Bishop John Schol and Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling and their cabinets. On the day that they each took over as resident bishops of additional annual conferences, the remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed into the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states with floods of biblical proportions, according to the Associated Press. Bishop Schol has taken on administration of Eastern Pennsylvania Conference as well as Greater New Jersey, while Bishop Easterling has assumed administration of Peninsula-Delaware Conference in addition to Baltimore-Washington.
Now they face not only the rigors of administering vastly increased church regions, they and the conferences they serve are damaged by the effects of extreme weather on top of the surge in the coronavirus pandemic. The Conversation, exploring why Ida dumped so much rainfall, reports in its newsletter: “The remnants of Hurricane Ida unleashed downpours across the Northeast that were so intense they quickly flooded subway lines, roadways and basement apartments. More than 45 people died, and the vulnerabilities of the region’s aging infrastructure were evident everywhere.”
New York Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton said the New York Conference reported no significant damage to church structures, but the storm has displaced people from their homes, according to a UM News brief.
As with the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, it will be days before United Methodists can fully assess the damages to church properties and members’ lives from Ida. UM News reported: “The Rev. Todd Rossnagel, host of the Louisiana Conference's Louisiana NOW podcast, is asking United Methodists around the world to share messages of hope in the wake of Hurricane Ida, which slammed the state earlier this week and left millions without power. 'Just a brief word of hope from so many people would do so much to help restore hope,' Rossnagel said via email. He plans to collect the messages for a future podcast. Those who want to leave a message can call 504-507-1542.”
Want to help? Give to UMCOR
In the wake of Ida, Bishop Julius C. Trimble has encouraged United Methodist congregations in Indiana to hold a special offering for the United Methodist Committee on Relief in the next few weeks to support current relief efforts for multiple disasters. We at Insight join in the bishop’s recommendation, because giving through UMCOR assures that 100 percent of donations goes to the specified needs. The United Methodist Church pays UMCOR’s administrative costs so that all contributions go to help those in need.
Just as President Biden assured the battered U.S. Gulf Coast, “we are here for you,” United Methodists can say the same around the world through its relief and development arm. To support UMCOR’s response in Afghanistan and Haiti, click here to donate online. To support UMCOR’s response to U.S. extreme weather, click here to donate online.
A bit of good climate news
The Washington Post reports: “Federal judge throws out Trump administration rule allowing the draining and filling of streams, marshes and wetlands.” While businesses and industrial farms favored the rule, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez ruled that it could cause “serious environmental harm.” Streams, marshes, and wetlands are vital for recharging water as well as providing habitat for hundreds of species of reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds and other wildlife. Score one for creation care!
COVID-19 upsetting many church plans
The surge in COVID-19 cases around the United States, which in some states such as Idaho is overwhelming health care facilities, is causing many United Methodist conferences to change their meeting plans from in-person to virtual venues. The latest to make such a change is the North Central Jurisdiction, whose bishops announced this week that the planned November meeting now will be held online instead of in-person.
Bishop David A. Bard (Michigan Area), president of the North Central College of Bishops, issued a release on behalf of the college Sept. 1 saying the jurisdiction’s meeting will be held virtually on Nov. 10-12, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (ET). The session will worship and pray, receive reports, and discuss possibilities for the future of the UMC. A memorial service and a celebration of the retirements of Bishops Sally Dyck and Bruce Ough have been postponed because “we think those moments are better marked together in person, and we joyfully anticipate being together in 2022.”
Dr Tedros
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization speaks at the "Dialogue on COVID-19 and Consequences for Global Multilateral Cooperation", 30 August 2021. (Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC)
Faiths pledge global cooperation on COVID-19
The World Council of Churches, in which The United Methodist Church participates, joined in a gathering of representatives from faith communities, governments, international organizations, foundations, the private sector, and civil society organizations in an Aug. 30 "Dialogue on COVID-19 and Consequences for Global Multilateral Cooperation.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, told an interfaith gathering, that all of the institutions in attendance are vital in combatting the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. The event was hosted in Geneva by The Foundation Dialogue for Peace and moderated by Norway's former prime minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik.
WCC News reported: “Along with the World Council of Churches (WCC), representatives from the Muslim World League, World Health Organization and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies shared experiences with ministers, ambassadors, politicians, peace associations and others.”
Media Mentions as of Sept. 3, 2021
Indigenous communities in Louisiana's Delta overwhelmed by damage from Ida – Religion News Service
RR First United Methodist raises $25000 in honor of late pastor - RRSpin
Trinity United Methodist Church will soon start a youth group for LGBTQ youth - WLFI
Germany: Survivors, leaders remember victims of July floods - Religion News Service
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.