Haiti Earthquake Damage 2021
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake toppled dozens of structures and killed some 1,300 people in Haiti Aug. 15. (Voice of America Photo | Public Domain)
A United Methodist Insight Column
One of the great benefits of the United Methodist connectional system is the reassurance that when things get tough, there's someone -- often many people -- who stand ready to lend a hand. The pinnacle of tthis connectional support is the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). I thank the Arkansas Conference newsletter for this helpful wrap-up on actions by the General Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR responding to the multiple crises around the world, including the recent earthquake in Haiti and the turmoil playing out in Afghanistan.
“UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is working to support Haitians who have lost their homes and family members to the deadly earthquake on Aug. 14. Similarly, funds are also being raised to support Afghans and U.S. citizens who are attempting to escape Afghanistan after the recent takeover of the country by the Taliban.
“Additionally, UMCOR’s US Disaster Response and Recovery staff is working to support those affected by the flooding in Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and the rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Henri on the East Coast. Gifts to support these efforts can be sent to UMCOR-US Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #901670, https://umcmission.org/advance-project/901670/. Checks can be sent to Global Ministries/UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #901670 on the memo line. (Editor's note: Donations to this fund also will be used to help with relief and recovery from Hurricane Ida, especially in Louisiana).
“To read UMCOR and Global Ministries statement on Haiti, visit https://umcmission.org/international-disaster-response/earthquake-in-haiti-umcors-response/
“The statement on Afghanistan can be found here https://umcmission.org/august-2021/umcor-supports-afghans-in-need/
“Individuals who are interested in supporting UMCOR’s response in Afghanistan and Haiti can make gifts online at https://umcmission.org/advance-project/982450/ or by checks sent to Global Ministries/UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068, with Advance #982450 noted on the memo line.
‘Season of Creation’ begins amid climate crises
Season of Creation
Florida Annual Conference kicked off the Sept. 1-Oct 4 “Season of Creation” observance with a livestreamed “World Day of Prayer for Creation” service, reported conference coordinator Cara Fleischer in a Facebook post. “Season of Creation” is an annual observance sponsored by the World Council of Churches that concludes on the feast day of Saint Francis of Assissi, the patron saint of ecology. This year's theme is “A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God,” based on Psalms 24:1.
As the faith-based observance began, historian Heather Cox Richardson wrote in her “Letters from an American” post: “… Today, John Kerry, the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, left for a four-day trip to Japan and China to advance discussions about the climate crisis, a crisis increasingly obvious in the U.S. as California wildfires have forced the evacuation of the resort town of South Lake Tahoe and the U.S. Forest Service closed all national forests in California until September 17.
“More than 15,000 firefighters are combating dozens of fires in California, but the emergency personnel from Louisiana had to return to their home state to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which has knocked out electric power for hundreds of thousands."
In an article, “Caldor: How to lead a congregation when your neighborhood is on fire,” the Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes of the California-Nevada Annual Conference reported on the challenges of being the new pastor of Placerville Federated Church in the midst of wildfires and the coronavirus pandemic.
“This week we have been working with our United Methodist Disaster Response Team to staff a Local Assistance Center at our local community college,” Dr. Barnes wrote. “Together we are a listening presence for victims of this horrible fire. Together we will provide assistance to those in need. Together we will be able to journey alongside those who are returning to burned out communities. Together we will bring the good news of God’s unconditional love by living out the commandment to love one another.”
Cal-Nevada Conference communicator Selby Ewing noted in the article: “As the Calder Fire rages in the south Lake Tahoe region, California-Nevada Director of Disaster Response Ministries Sonja Edd-Bennett, Volunteers in Mission coordinator Steve Elliott, and volunteers Doug and Mary Ellen Huey are on the scene at the local relief center in Placerville. CalFire officials report that the Calder and Dixie fires are a new brand of wildfires that have never been experienced in the state.”
Church resumes worship after Waverly floods
According to a report in The Tennessean, Waverly First United Methodist Church held its first service on Aug. 29 since a flood left 20 dead in its Tennessee town. The Rev. John Carpenter preached, "In tragedy, there is still hope." Jeremiah O. Rhodes took video, and Stephanie Amador took photos.
Mourning our losses from so many events
No one gets through life without grief, and right now, millions of us are grieving, often deeply, for the losses we’ve sustained over the past year and a half. To get a new perspective on grief, join host Jennifer R. Farmer for the next “Faith Talks” podcast sponsored by United Methodist Women.
The live recording of the podcast will occur at 2 p.m. ET Thursday, Sept. 2 via Zoom video conference. Jennifer’s guests will be the Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, Dr. Su Yon Pak, Rev. Linda Jaramillo and Dr. Kathy Talvacchia who will discuss their newest book, “Sisters in Mourning: Daughters Reflecting on Care, Loss and Meaning.”
“The authors write a much-needed treatise on grieving that which we have lost and those who we have lost,” Jennifer wrote in an email. “I’ve also invited Dr. Chioma Oruh, of ChiBornFree, to join us for this session and speak with us about grief broadly.”
To participate in the Sept. 2 live recording, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Fux2UlQTR5mR-1P94HFD1A
Media Mentions as of Sept. 1, 2021
South Avenue United Methodist Church Honors 13 Service Members Killed In Afghanistan ... – CBS Pittsburgh
Indianapolis churches start new nonprofit for grief counseling - WISH-TV
Faith-based disaster relief groups balance COVID safety with speedy response to Hurricane Ida – The Washington Post*
*Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.