Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman, the first Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S., delivers “The Hill We Climb” at the the inauguration ceremony on Jan 20, 2021. (Photo: Alex Wong via Covering Climate Now)
A United Methodist Insight Column
President Joe Biden and his new administration have hit the ground running on the crises that most affected United Methodists in 2020. According to Mark Hertsgaard of Covering Climate Now, “Biden and [Vice President Kamala] Harris have repeatedly described climate change as one of four intertwined crises—along with the covid pandemic, the collapsed economy, and racial justice—that will be addressed by every part of the federal government.”
CBS News reports: “Biden’s day-1 executive actions—to rejoin the Paris Agreement, scuttle the Keystone XL pipeline, and consider revisions to Trump-era fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards—are a start, but climate activists have high expectations for the Biden administration.”
Federal attention to these crises can only go so far without concerted effort on the part of U.S. citizens, including United Methodists.
Creation Justice slide
On the climate front, UMC Creation Justice Movement held a webinar summit in October and a follow-up in December on how to advocate with local and state officials for climate-friendly public policy. The seminar’s resources are available on the movement’s website. In December, United Methodist Insight began running a monthly column of climate tips by Crys Zinkiewicz, a former United Methodist Publishing House editor and a 2019 graduate of the EarthKeepers program of UMC Mission.
Climate change also plays a major role in global migration, according to the United Methodist Immigration Task Force headed by Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the California-Nevada Annual Conference. The latest report from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that many Americans favor immigration policies proposed by the Biden administration.
“The new immigration priorities and policies favored by the Biden administration will bring U.S. policy more in line with long-standing American public opinion, which has consistently reflected a more compassionate and pragmatic approach to these complex issues,” said Robert P. Jones, founder and CEO of PRRI in a press release. “Majorities of Americans, including majorities of all religious groups and even a plurality of Republicans, support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.”
According to the PRRI study, “sizable majorities of Americans”:
- Favor allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to gain legal resident status (66%)
- Favor allowing all immigrants living in the country illegally a path to citizenship provided they meet certain requirements (64%)
- Oppose a law preventing refugees from entering the U.S. (62%)
- Oppose building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border (57%)
- Oppose travel bans that temporarily prevent people from some Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. (53%)
- Oppose a policy that would separate children from their families at the border, which was in place briefly during Trump’s term in office (76%)
As for COVID-19 and the economic collapse it has caused, United Methodist bishops continue to advise local congregations to “do no harm” by staying away from in-person gatherings to limit coronavirus spread. As much as it hurts to be apart physically from the faith community, I can personally attest to the wisdom of this counsel. Insight’s sponsoring congregation, St. Stephen UMC, held an open-air worship service in the church courtyard for Christmas Eve, and despite observing strict protocols, four staff members turned up COVID positive, and our pastor was ill for two weeks.
In case you need any more convincing than the previous anecdote, read this article, “COVID-19 battle impact’s Pine Forest UMC pastor’s life, faith” by Kara Withrow, editor of the South Georgia Advocate, about a pastor who spent 100 days in the hospital with COVID-19. He survived, unlike countless other United Methodists who have died from this scourge. Please join our new president in “Mask Up, America” so that we can finally get past this horrific pandemic.
Even before the emotion and excitement of inauguration day, Bishop Julius C. Trimble called the Indiana Annual Conference to 100 days of prayer for the nation. Resources for the observance are offered on the conference website.
As our amazing Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, recited at the inauguration,
For there is always light
If only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Let’s do this good, United Methodists. I feel sure John Wesley would approve.
Media Mentions as of Jan. 21, 2021
Why do presidential inaugurations matter? – Ministry Matters
Read the homily Joe Biden heard Inauguration Day morning – Religion News Service
Biden’s inaugural speech called for Americans to embrace civil religion. What does that mean? – NBC News
The end of the pro-Christian presidency of Donald Trump – Religion News Service
Joe Biden's family Bible anchors faith-infused inaugural events – Religion News Service
Kamala Harris picks Bible of civil rights justice (and saint) for VP oath – Religion Unplugged
Joe Biden quoted Augustine in his inaugural address. What would the saint think of our politics? – America
American Muslims breathe sigh of relief as Biden reverses travel ban – Religion News Service
White Christian Radicalization Is A Violent Threat – HuffPost
First United Methodist talks about racism – Smoky Mountain News
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.