Coronavirus fear
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A United Methodist Insight Column
As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, the coronavirus pandemic’s toll on Americans’ mental health has become clearer.
U.S. Census data shows that 34 out of 100 adults are show “signs of clinical anxiety or depression.” That’s double the number of cases reported in a 2014 national survey, according to The Washington Post. Incidents of depression and/or anxiety are reported to be significantly higher among women, young adults and the poor.
The results reflect findings of two months of surveys by The Mighty.com, a website for people with mental illness and other disabilities. The Mighty’s weekly surveys have gathered some 70,000 responses.
United Methodist clergy are even more vulnerable to mental distress because they bear the brunt of pastoral care for their beleaguered flocks. Congregations that participate in pastoral care programs such as Stephen Ministry are likely to fare better, since Stephen Ministers are trained to listen carefully to people’s descriptions and to know when a person needs to seek professional help.
The Mighty suggests that people in crisis call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Another resource is Crisis Text Line, which offers “free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they text to 741741,” according to TheMighty.com. Please make use of these resources if you or someone you know needs help.
Coronavirus, climate, and money
Churches everywhere are experiencing downturns in their financial giving because of the coronavirus pandemic. What’s worse, there’s no way for church leaders to predict when and how to plan for stewardship campaigns, typically held in the fall so as to provide pledges for the coming year’s budget.
One factor in giving will likely be how much stimulus countries pump into their economies to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The Climate Beat, a weekly newsletter from Covering Climate Now: offers this perspective:
“The amount of money governments and central banks are preparing to spend on COVID-19 economic recovery is so massive that it will inevitably shape humanity’s chances of climate survival. If those trillions of dollars are invested in shoring up the industries and infrastructure of the incumbent fossil fuel economy, it will lock in rising temperatures for decades to come, ensuring climate catastrophe. If those trillions are instead invested in transforming the world to a zero-carbon economy, they could rescue millions of people from unemployment and poverty and open vast investment opportunities for businesses, while perhaps also preserving a livable planet in the bargain.”
The newsletter continues:
“Some 71 percent of the public believes that the climate crisis is as serious in the long run as the COVID-19 pandemic is in the short run. So says a survey of 28,000 people in fourteen countries that Ipsos conducted in late April, a time when COVID-19 death tolls around the world were soaring and daily conversation and news coverage focused on little else. What’s more, 65 percent said that the stimulus spending countries are orchestrating to revive battered economies should also fight climate change. In short, an overwhelming majority of the public—more than two out of three people—cares about the climate crisis and wants leaders to take strong action, now.”
Covering Climate Now is a worldwide collaboration of some 400 news outlets including United Methodist Insight. CCNow plans to report from the G7 summit in early June regarding the economic effects of coronavirus and climate, and Insight plans to bring you the articles most relevant to the church’s economic situation.
Media Mentions as of May 28, 2020
Coronavirus may never go away, even with a vaccine – The Washington Post
Filipinos on the margins hurt by COVID-19 – United Methodist News Service
Pastoring during a pandemic: Ministers work front lines for patients, residents – Meadville Tribune
Before reopening, houses of worship should consider what their faith holds most dear – Religion News Service
Rural churches keeping communities fed – Yadkin Rippl
As churches reopen, Supreme Court faces balancing act between physical and spiritual health – USA TODAY
Pandemic disrupts rites of passage for many devout families – The Associated Press
America’s churches weigh coronavirus danger against the need to worship – The Wall Street Journal *
Oregon churches sue in federal court over limits on religious gatherings – Oregon Public Broadcasting
Washington state houses of worship allowed to hold services under governor’s coronavirus guidance plan – The Seattle Times *
The fight over reopening churches reaches the Supreme Court – VOX
Reason * –
How the pandemic disproportionately affects women – Spokane FAVS
California lays out pandemic rules for church reopenings – Religion News Service
Why governments should not be deeming in-person worship essential – Religion News Service
Meet eight pastors who pushed to keep their churches open – Religion News Service
Faith leaders should follow CDC guidelines on reopening – Villages-News
DOJ warns Nevada its plan to reopen discriminates against religious groups – USA TODAY
Orange County deems in-person church ‘essential,’ says rules too restrictive for megachurches – Los Angeles Times *
In Mideast, religion looms large in corona ‘infodemic’ – Agence France-Presse
Americans fight over everything else — why not add religious services to the list? – The Miami Herald *
Mississippi pastor: My church was burned down because we want to worship in person – USA TODAY
*Paid subscription may be required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.