climate Justice sign
A United Methodist Insight Column
If your church stands somewhere that has enjoyed a more-or-less “normal” summer in the Northern Hemisphere, count yourself doubly lucky this year even with coronavirus restrictions. Many parts of the world are suffering from floods, fires, drought, and heat waves.
Against the backdrop of extreme weather, reports NPR, “more than 200 of the world's leading climate scientists will begin meeting today (July 26) to finalize a landmark report summarizing how Earth's climate has already changed, and what humans can expect for the rest of the century. … The report is the sixth edition of an assessment of the latest climate science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body that coordinates research about global warming.”
NPR notes that the new report will be “a crucial document for world leaders,” and an equally crucial statement for United Methodist creation care activists. Among those commenting on the role of faith in responding to the current state of the environment are United Methodist Women leaders Karen McElfish, Daryl Joe and Elizabeth Bailes.
Urging stronger regulation of methane emissions that have degraded her Navajo Nation, Ms. Joe wrote for Red Letter Christians: “Our life sustaining Mother Earth has suffered enough, we can revive her forests, her air and our land by taking actions NOW.”
Dr. McElfish wrote for the Virginia Mercury: “We must fulfill our moral obligation to leave a habitable world for our children and grandchildren. With historic investments to revitalize our infrastructure and transition to clean energy, we can do this while providing immediate support to those who need it most.”
Ms. Bailes wrote for the Parkersburg News-Sentinel: “Faith leaders from across the country have united in their call for a recovery and infrastructure package that will help us rebuild in a way that makes us stronger than ever before. Just as our faith leaders guided us through the darkest, most uncertain moments of the past year, they can also guide our nation in building back better. That’s why I have joined over 3,400 other faith leaders from around the country in adding my name to a letter to Congress calling for a bold economic recovery and infrastructure package that creates family- and community-sustaining jobs while caring for our climate and our neighbors.”
United Methodist Women aren’t alone in their advocacy for responses to climate change. See Jim Patterson’s UM News article, “Young Methodists Raising Climate Change Awareness.”
Even our best efforts won’t stave off significant changes, however. NPR reported: “In November, world leaders will meet for the first time since 2019 to discuss promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions — promises that are still insufficient to prevent catastrophic warming this century.” If your church hasn’t begun to prepare for the impact of extreme heat and cold, for the possibilities of violent storms and flooding, now is the time to prepare a disaster plan for local protection. Follow your disaster plan with vigorous witness for public policies to address the climate crisis. For more information on United Methodist and other faith-based efforts, consult these resources:
- United Methodist Women Climate Justice
- UMW Just Energy 4 All Campaign
- UMW Be Just, Be Green: 13 Steps to Sustainability
- Church & Society Climate Justice
- Global Ministries Creation Care and Renewable Energy
- COP26: 1-12th November 2021 – Glasgow
- UN Environmental Program’s Faith and Environment Newsletters
- Interfaith Rainforest Initiative
- Healing Tropical Forests for Spiritual Renewal
COVID rise continues
The rise in coronavirus infections in the United States continues to develop. The bulk of new infections are occurring in unvaccinated people, but vaccinated people have been found to be re-infected with milder symptoms and worse, can carry the virus to unprotected populations such as children. Among the latest news:
CNN / Washington Post: “Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey blamed “the unvaccinated folks” for the rise in COVID-19 cases in her state, a remarkable plea at a time when many GOP leaders are refusing to urge people to get vaccinated even as COVID-19 cases surge in many parts of the country. Alabama is the least vaccinated state in the country, with roughly 33.9% of residents fully vaccinated, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Texas Tribune reports: “The CDC recommends that unvaccinated people avoid poorly ventilated venues and large crowds, wash their hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces daily, and monitor their health daily.”
UM & Global recommends viewing a video, COVID Travel Tips from UMVIM: “Although the COVID-19 pandemic remains a health threat around the world, access to vaccines in the United States has many traveling again. Included in this re-engagement with the world is the possibility for renewed travel for short-term mission. UMVIM has released this video with tips from UMVIM coordinators and project hosts about how to resume short-term mission travel in a safe way. This video is an excellent resource for anyone thinking about domestic or international mission travel in the near future.”
With all these developments, the basic protocol remains the same: wear a mask, keep six feet of physical distance away from others and sanitize frequently. For planning purposes, keep abreast of local public health alerts on coronavirus status in your area.
News for churches about gun violence
The Marshall Project reports links to news stories about the ongoing gun violence in the United States, a concern for many churches in both urban and rural settings. “316 people are shot every day in America. Here are five of their stories, from different parts of the country, all centered around a common theme: gun violence doesn’t just destroy the lives of the people shattered by bullets. It ruins their families, too. ‘They’re not just a number — they’re everything to us,’ says the mother of a young victim (from THE ASSOCIATED PRESS). More: ’What’s in place isn’t working.’ As gun violence engulfs Washington, D.C., residents, police and elected officials all scramble for new ways to ease the pain. So far there is agreement on one thing: it’s time for a new approach (from THE WASHINGTON POST)
Another item: “Feds ramp up fight against gun trafficking: The Justice Department has set up five teams in cities hit particularly hard by gun violence — Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., Boston and San Francisco — to try to stop the flow of illegal guns. The federal initiative also is designed to target ‘ghost gun’ sellers (from LOS ANGELES TIMES). The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will focus on ‘straw’ purchasers of guns that are later used in crimes, and federal lawyers will prioritize the prosecution of such cases. THE WASHINGTON POST
These links can provide some of the latest information about efforts to solve the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.
Media Mentions as of July 26, 2021
INTERVIEW: I'll quit Methodist Church if it accepts same sex marriage – Nigerian Bishop – Premium Times
Boyle column: In a sign of the times, Biltmore UMC sells its property – Asheville Citizen-Times
Facebook’s next target: the religious experience – The New York Times *Facebook decided faith groups are good for business. Now, it wants your prayers – Reuters *
Christians must not deny the full consequences of centuries of intentional, racist harm – The Dispatch
Joy and grief will coexist as Americans return to pre-pandemic life – 'everyday memorials' will help – Religion News Service
Four Months Ago They Were Celebrating. Now Texas Doctors Are Once Again Preparing for the Worst – Texas Monthly*
* Paid subscription required
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.