Equitable recovery sign
The marquee outside of the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill advocates for a "just and equitable recovery" from the coronavirus pandemic. (Church and Society Photo)
A United Methodist Insight Column
As coronavirus vaccines rollout continue, United Methodist leaders are both hopeful and cautious about the developments.
The Washington Post’s The Optimist newsletter recently documented the psychological benefits that coronavirus vaccinations are having on communities. The joy of vax: The people giving the shots are seeing hope, and it’s contagious tells how nurses are volunteering in droves to give vaccinations because of the lift it gives them after months of grim service to COVID-19 patients.
The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of the General Board of Church and Society, told her own story of satisfaction at getting the coronavirus vaccination after weeks of skepticism. The experience inspired her to imagine what might happen if the 28,000 United Methodist congregations became centers for listening, educating, caring for and distributing COVID vaccines.
Susan h-c covid
The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe displays her coronavirus vaccination card. (Church and Society Photo)
Dr. Henry-Crowe said she and her staff asked several Church and Society board members to share the ministries they’ve offered for educating people and supporting COVID vaccinations. Some excerpts:
“Rev. Otto Harris, the pastor of St. Mark UMC in Charlotte, North Carolina (Western North Carolina Conference) expressed how his church is working to raise awareness and educate about the COVID vaccine:
“St. Mark’s UMC in Charlotte has 1) had virtual town hall information sessions with a pharmacist and health care professional, 2) shared weekly messages during our worship services dispelling myths about vaccination, and 3) received and forwarded COVID vaccination-related messages from local health care providers through e-mail, social media, and during worship services.
“Further, he shared that his community is working to address the historic social injustices in public health through equitable vaccine distribution. Rev. Harris said:
“Along with vaccine education and awareness, St. Mark’s UMC is in communication with one of our largest local health care providers to be a vaccination site for our community, just as we have partnered with this same provider to be a recurring site for COVID testing.
“From the Philippines East Conference, Ms. Nancy Caluya Nicolas said:
“I welcome with cautious celebration the Philippine national government’s pronouncement that the so-called ‘frontliners,’ senior citizens, and ‘the poorest of the poor’ are the first ones to be inoculated by the vaccine once it is available.
“If there is one thing I want to do, [it] is to push for a program in the church and in my organization that will monitor the implementation of this official intention so that no one will be discriminated and left behind among the above-mentioned vulnerable sectors.”
Dr. Henry-Crowe said she and many Church and Society staff are calling faith leaders, the White House, members of Congress and public health leaders to promote both best practices and accessibility of vaccines to underserved communities. She advocates that annual conferences and local congregations continue to use good public health practices like washing hands, wearing masks, and practicing physical distancing.
And when the coronavirus vaccine becomes available to you, she urges: get the shot.
Meanwhile in the Indiana Annual Conference, Bishop Julius C. Trimble’s executive assistant, the Rev. Larry K. Whitehead, sent out his own hopeful newsletter this past week. He writes: “There are strong indications that the pandemic conditions in Indiana are improving. Seen in total, infection rates are down across the state. New cases are down. Deaths are down.”
Nonetheless, he counseled Indiana United Methodists not to rush into re-opening, but to plan for a cautious return to in-person gatherings and keep virtual services going at the same time.
Rev. Whitehead echoed Dr. Henry-Crowe’s advice to keep up the “3 W’s:”
- WEAR masks … entering, exiting, and at all times in the building
- WAIT … maintain social distancing in the pews and in the building
- WASH hands regularly (and use hand sanitizer)
“These provisions have contributed considerably to the improved conditions we are experiencing,” Rev. Whitehead wrote. “This is not yet the time to relax.”
Media Mentions as of March 2, 2021
Nine months later, fencing comes down around the church where Trump stood with a Bible – The Washington Post*
United Methodist conservatives detail plans for a breakaway – The Associated Press
Major evangelical adoption agency will now serve gay parents nationwide – The New York Times*
SCOTUS won’t explain why it keeps blocking COVID restrictions – Slate*
‘Religious freedom’ can’t mean cover for Christians to discriminate – The Des Moines Register*
An evangelical scientist on reconciling her religion and the realities of climate change – The Washington Post*
US Forest Service temporarily halts transfer of Native American sacred site Oak Flat – Religion News Service
* Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.