COVID preventable
Health care workers told a visiting pastor that the COVID-19 deaths he witnessed could have been prevented by vaccinations, masks and other public health practices. (Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash)
Is the COVID-19 crisis really waning after two years? The White House seems to think so, based on these remarks reported Feb. 17 by the Washington Post:
“The United States has made ‘tremendous progress’ in its ability to protect against the coronavirus, and plans are underway for the next phase of the pandemic, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said Wednesday [Feb. 16].
“Three-quarters of adults are fully vaccinated, he said. He added that for all Americans — ‘both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated’ — tools are available to fight the coronavirus, including masks and a variety of effective treatments.
“’As a result of all this progress and the tools we all have, we’re moving toward a time when covid isn’t a crisis but is something we can protect against and treat,’ Zients said during a news briefing. ‘The president and our covid team are actively planning for this future.’”
The White House prediction holds great importance for The United Methodist Church, if it pans out. Should the estimate prove correct, it could mean lifting some of the travel restrictions that are likely to keep international delegates away from the General Conference session now scheduled Aug. 29-Sept. 7 in Minneapolis, Minn.
However, improvement in the United States doesn’t promise improvement in other countries where United Methodists are present. The problem of poor access to vaccines continues to plague many countries, meaning that General Conference delegates can’t comply with U.S. State Dept. travel rules requiring coronavirus immunizations.
Thus, despite the White House’s optimism, the outlook for holding General Conference this year remains murky. The General Commission on the General Conference is expected to make a decision in March on whether the global legislative conclave will take place.
‘Loving People and the Planet’
Even though the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, now is a good time to begin preparing your congregation to embark on creation care ministry as spring approaches. UM Creation Justice Movement offers education and encouragement for such a goal.
A recent announcement from the organization detailed its “Loving People and the Planet in the Name of God,” workshop series. According to the email: “This workshop offers practical solutions to greening local church facilities and helping your congregation to understand creation care and climate justice in the Wesleyan Tradition. Participants will learn what other churches are doing to care for God’s Creation, how to identify opportunities for local action, and where to find help in achieving results. The training is open to clergy and laypersons; it provides an excellent venue to build Green Teams.”
The series will consister of five 2-hour sessions:
- Our Theological Grounding
- Climate Crisis and Creation Justice: Connecting the Dots
- God’s Good Gifts: Called as Stewards and Prophets
- What Can Churches Do?
- Your Green Team, Your Plan
Sessions will be held Feb. 20, 24, 27 and March 3 and 10 from 7 to 9pm ET. Tuition is $25 per person. Register Here
If your congregation needs convincing about creation care ministry, offer your church leaders this tidbit from the Washington Post’s Climate 202 newsletter:
“Extreme weather affected more than 14.5 million homes in the United States last year, causing an estimated $56.92 billion in property damage, according to a report released this morning by CoreLogic, a property information and analytics provider.
“The findings drive home the devastating toll of disasters — including hurricanes, floods and wildfires — that are becoming more common and costly because of climate change.”
As we say down South, ‘nuff said.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers 2022 Trainings Open
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that equips U.S.-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities, notes the Northern Illinois Conference newsletter. “Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing, and project planning. Spring classes are March 18 - April 2 online (application deadline March 1). Summer classes are July 18 - August 11 online (application deadline June 30). Find out more information here.”
Sea levels are rising faster
From the Conversation: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration yesterday released a report warning that the pace of sea level rise is accelerating and that the U.S. can expect another 10 to 12 inches of water on average by 2050. Geoscientist Jianjun Yin from the University of Arizona breaks down the different ways global warming is causing rising seas, and he notes that the effects will not be uniform: “The U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast, for example, face risks above the average, according to the new report, while the West Coast and Hawaii are projected to be lower than average.”
Media Mentions as of Feb. 17, 2022
Ministry helping to build ramps for those in need | News, Sports, Jobs - Times Observer
Plano Service Gives 4,000 Free Prom Dresses To Girls In Community - Local Profile
Free Prom Shoppe at Apex United Methodist Church returns after two-year hiatus - ABC11