Hurricane Sally topples steeple
The steeple at Lillian (Ala.) United Methodist Church dangles from its mounting in the wake of Hurricane Sally. (Photo courtesy of the Rev. Daniel Randall.)
A United Methodist Insight Column
Signs of psychological distress are widespread as we’re nearly eight months into the coronavirus pandemic.
This week the United States passed a dreadful milestone – more than 200,000 people dead from COVID-19. Recent studies show that each COVID-19 victim leaves an average of nine survivors. That translates into some 2 million people grieving the loss of a loved one.
Added to this massive wave of grief are the stresses of the pandemic itself – lack of human contact because of shelter-in-place restrictions; loss of jobs and other economic distress; disrupted lives and social unrest.
Psychological experts now say that everyone should know what they call “psychological first aid, according to a Washington Post article by Stacey Colino, The pandemic proves we all should know ‘psychological first aid.’ Here are the basics.
Ms. Colino quotes George S. Everly, “a clinical psychologist and professor of international health in the Center for Humanitarian Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and author of ‘The Johns Hopkins Guide to Psychological First Aid.’” Some examples:
Address basic bodily needs. If people need food, water or shelter, get it for them. Be sure to tend to your own needs as well with good nutrition, hydration, sleep and exercise. Don’t use alcohol, tobacco or drugs to cope; they’ll only lead to worse problems.
Keep Calm
Keep calm to carry on. The attitude of “keep calm and carry on” got the British people through World War II, as the accompanying poster attests. Use yoga, meditation, deep breathing or other relaxation techniques to de-stress (see Rev. Jim Burklo’s article on using “The Jesus Prayer”).
Set priorities. Figure out what needs to be done and let go of things that aren’t urgent. Understand what you can control and don’t stress over what you can’t. Some psychologists recommend using a mental framework saying “I choose” to help with prioritizing.
Build hope. Focus on what’s going right with you at any moment, from having good resources to the beauty of a clear blue sky. Positive emotions are a sure antidote to worry and stress.
Practice good communication. Practice “active listening” when others talk to you of their challenges; focus on what they’re saying, not what you want to reply. Let others talk as long as they need to tell their stories. Respond to their feelings with words of support.
Be sure to read the full story for more details.
Beware of phishing email scam
From the Northern Illinois Conference comes yet another warning about an email scam focused on church people:
“Once again, several churches and pastors are reporting fake emails being sent asking for gift cards or money. The scammers are creating email addresses that typically include the pastor’s name and their church’s name and often end with @gmail, @yahoo, or other popular email service providers. Clergy or conference staff (including the Bishop) would never solicit personal payment through text messages, emails, or other forms of digital communication. Do not click on anything in the email and report it to your provider as spam or fraudulent email.”
National UMC Creation Justice recommends a webinar
United Methodist creation care specialists are recommending a webinar hosted by Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada and Citizens Climate Lobby. Here are the particulars from a Facebook post:
What You Can Do About Climate Change
Sundays, Sept. 27 & Oct. 4, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81757835370 or call 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 817 5783 5370
“Confronting the reality of climate change can be overwhelming. But taking some concrete steps individually can be empowering and help one to move forward and join the larger effort to build an alternative future. This next session will include some steps one can take in one’s own life, and the third session includes some steps one can take to join the growing movement to face the challenge of climate change.
“Sept. 27: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint continued“Oct. 4: Joining the Broader Movement
“Please note that this series is best experienced on a laptop. Participants via phone will have difficulty reading the slides.”
Why should we invest time in another ZOOM conference? Consider these statistics on current carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from The Guardian:
Weekly averages
19 September 2020: 411.47 ppm
This time last year: 408.48 ppm
10 years ago: 387.00 ppm
Pre-industrial base: 280
Safe level: 350
Atmospheric CO2 reading from Mauna Loa, Hawaii (part per million). Source: NOAA-ESRL
Most US voters favor climate action
In line with United Methodist Women’s recommendation to research election issues, here are results from a new poll that seven in 10 voters favor government action to address the climate emergency, according a Guardian article, Guardian/Vice poll finds most US 2020 voters strongly favor climate action.
In addition, three-quarters of the voters surveyed said they want the United States to use renewable sources for all its energy within 15 years, similar to UMW’s “Just Energy for All” proposal. Two-thirds of the survey respondents said they’re more likely to vote for a presidential candidate who backs the shift to clean energy.
Hurricane Sally leaves a wake of destruction
In an example of extreme weather because caused by global warming, Sam Hodges of UM News reports on the damages caused to United Methodist churches from Hurricane Sally, which blew through south Alabama and west Florida early on Sept. 16. To help those hurt by the hurricane, give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery through Advance #901670.
Media Mentions as of Sept. 25, 2020
Churches hit home run with services in ballparks and stadiums as COVID-19 cancels sports – Religion News Service
Three arrested for flouting mask order at Idaho church singing event – KTVB
Megachurch pastor who held no-mask services misses hearing after refusing to wear mask in court – The Washington Post *
Prominent evangelical church is the first to sue D.C. over COVID-19 worship limits – The Washington Post *
Report: People who are highly spiritual tend to be more civic-minded – Religion News Service
Spirituality is connected to civic and political action – Religion News Service
Int'l church groups alarmed over reported killings, rights violations in Philippines – Philippine Star
Int'l church bodies urge 'impartial probe' into human rights violations in PH –Manila Bulletin
How faith shapes my politics (not as much as you’d think) – The New York Times *Demonizing white evangelicals won’t solve our political divisions – Religion News Service
*Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.