A United Methodist Insight Column
When COVID-19 hits close to home, it’s frightening. This time, however, I’m not so much frightened as I am angry at how politics and ignorance are putting people at risk. Here’s the situation:
A young couple from our congregation have both tested positive for coronavirus and are exhibiting symptoms. They have a two-year-old daughter who now has been exposed. What’s even more of a concern, the young wife and mother, a devoted public-school teacher, is in her first trimester of pregnancy, with a history of miscarriages. The couple has been faithfully following coronavirus protocols of masking and physical distancing, but the wife’s professional environment has exposed her to the virus.
That’s because Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas refuses to allow local mask mandates, vaccination requirements, and other public health safety precautions. Now this young family faces a disease that threatens all their lives. At the risk of backlash, I blame this state of affairs on the Republican Party in Texas, which has stridently resisted public health protocols because they “infringe on personal rights.” “Pro-life party,” my Aunt Fanny!
Even more infuriating, my friends aren’t alone, and it appears that local journalism is failing them, according to an Aug. 30 article on the Nieman Lab website, “Parents are desperate for useful info about Covid and schools. Local news isn’t really helping.”
We’re now up to nearly 640,000 Americans dead from coronavirus, with a record 10,000 new cases daily across the country. Some experts predict the coronavirus death toll may hit 800,000 this fall because of the more easily transmissible Delta variant.
Keep wearing masks, washing and sanitizing your hands, and separating yourself from others. And to paraphrase of the late Texas icon Molly Ivins: Get. The. Damn. Vaccination. Now.
Traveling safely despite Delta
The Delta variant has called a screeching halt to many activities that were resuming at the beginning of summer. However, some folks still want, or may need, to travel this fall despite the COVID-19 surge. Natalie B. Compton of the Washington Post writes that “travel advisories and local pandemic mandates are returning, and even Hawaii is asking visitors to stay away amid its rising coronavirus hospitalization rates.”
Ms. Compton checked with Jessica Malaty Rivera, an epidemiologist with the COVID Tracking Project, who says that safe travel depends on the circumstances. She advises taking every risk-reduction option: drive instead of flying, avoid crowds, and check up on the vaccination and hospitalization statistics of destinations. As resources, Rivera suggests the coronavirus websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or a state’s public health website.
Ms. Compton writes: “Travelers should ask themselves questions such as ‘Am I going to a place that has a decent health-care infrastructure [so] that if something goes wrong, I’m going to be taken care of?’ Rivera said. ‘Are there enough people vaccinated in that area that’ll make me feel comfortable? Is it a hot spot for covid transmission?’
Bottom line: Put off travel until you’re fully vaccinated. There’s nothing you can do about those who stubbornly resist get their shots (see item above), but you can take every precaution to protect yourself.
No way to run from a hurricane
Ever wonder what it’s like for low-income families to face a monster storm like Hurricane Ida? Read the heart-wrenching account of Robert Owens and his family in an Associated Press article, 'We can't afford to leave': No cash or gas to flee from Ida.
Once you’ve read it, ask yourself: What does my church do to help low-income families in preparation for potentially cataclysmic storms? What could my church do?
The Louisiana Annual Conference issued an email Aug. 27 outlining steps for churches to take to protect themselves, including advising members to obey mandatory evacuation orders from local authorities. Our churches likely will be faced with these kinds of human needs from now on, because the worldwide climate emergency is “exploding on multiple fronts,” writes Mark Hertsgaard, executive director of Covering Climate Now, the global journalism collaboration in which United Methodist Insight participates. “Hurricane Ida has left millions in Louisiana without electricity or running water—in 80-plus-degree Fahrenheit heat,” Mr. Hertsgaard continues. “The Caldor Fire is forcing mass evacuations around Lake Tahoe in California. Vast swaths of Siberia continue to burn.”
There’s so much that can be done before disaster strikes, and not just preparing to protect a local church’s property. Start by checking out UMC Creation Justice Movement’s website for timely tips and more long-range information.
Innovative pastor retires
Keary Kincannon
The Rev. Keary Kincannon, pastor of Rising Hope Mission Center in Alexandria, Va., speaks out against immigration raids at a February demonstration. Two men were detained outside Rising Hope, a United Methodist congregation in a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Board of Church and Society Photo)
Over the past 25 years, I’ve watched with great appreciation as Rising Hope Mission Church in Mount Vernon, Va., and its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Keary Kincannon, staved off some of life’s more mundane crises such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction. Now, Keary, 72, has retired from Rising Hope’s pulpit, succeeded by the Rev. Cameron Wilds. Both the Mount Vernon Gazette and The Connection online journals have paid tribute to Dr. Kincannon and Rising Hope upon his retirement. The articles are both a chronicle of Rising Hope’s ministry and some good-news relief from the multiple crises we’re facing right now.
Recently the Mount Vernon Gazette reported on a retirement party held for Dr. Kincannon sponsored by Mount Vernon UMC and volunteers Ed and Maria Ward. Mrs. Ward is quoted: “For over 25 years, Keary has been the heart and soul of helping the poor and homeless in southern Fairfax County. He brings the love of Christ, to quote him, ‘to the least, the lost, the lonely and the left out.’”
In another article, The Connection noted: “The church is devoted to serving the needy of the Route 1 Corridor according to Kincannon, the founding pastor. Thousands of people a year are aided by Rising Hope’s food pantry, soup kitchen, clothing closet, hypothermia shelter, recovery programs, job search and emergency resources.” This past May Dr. Kincannon was honored with the Society of John Wesley Award of Merit by his alma mater, UMC-related Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.
The story of Rising Hope is one that could inspire many congregations seeking alternative ministry models in this new era of constantly changing circumstances. A good source is an article, “Ministering to the ‘Least, Lost, Lonely and Left Out’ in Mount Vernon,” along with Rising Hope’s own website.
Although he has stepped down from Rising Hope’s pulpit, Dr. Kincannon told local news that he plans to “get in good trouble,” emulating the late Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. In particular, he plans to advocate for low-income housing along the Route 1 corridor where “potentially extensive redevelopment” is being considered for Rising Hope’s immediate neighborhood.
Help Afghan refugees
Heartbreaking images of the turmoil in Afghanistan are sparking Christians everywhere to try to help them. Meredith Owen, director of public policy and advocacy for the refugee resettlement agency Church World Service, issued a plan Aug. 30 for Christians to take immediate action with public officials. She writes:
“Right now, countless vulnerable Afghans are in imminent danger. Given President Biden’s August 31 deadline to complete withdrawal from the country, at-risk Afghans, including hundreds of thousands of Afghans who assisted the U.S. mission, U.S. citizens, and legal permanent residents will be left behind, prevented from accessing life-saving services. Urgent action is needed to hold the administration accountable to ensure the U.S. establishes safe pathways out of Afghanistan and continue the urgent evacuation of Afghans in danger—including women and girls, religious and minority groups, people with disabilities, and others—for as long as it takes to get people to safety in the United States.
“Here are the top ways to take action today:
- Contact your Members of Congress: Click here to email your member of Congress.
- Amplify on Social Media: Share this message on social media with this new toolkit and these new graphics.
“Please view and share this Top 5 Ways to Support Afghans Seeking Refuge to learn additional ways you can take action today!”
Ms. Owen concludes her email: “Have more questions? Check out our new FAQ. For a collection of resources for Afghans seeking assistance, and actions individuals, organizations, and elected officials can take to support vulnerable Afghans, please check out: https://rcusa.org/afghanistan/.”
Media Mentions as of August 30, 2021
VIDEO: How have United Methodist Women responded to COVID-19 and racism? An Interview with Harriett Olson – Connectional Table
Churches find creative forms of outreach – The Villages Daily Sun
United Methodist Communities Mandates Covid Vaccinations for Staff Members – Cape May County Herald
The rebel who taught me Art in Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone Telegraph
United Methodist leaders urge churches to end Boy Scout charters for now - The Washington Post
Cultural backlash: Is LGBTQ progress an attack on Christianity? - Washington University in St. Louis
Why some Christians see LGBTQ rights as an attack - Futurity.org – Futurity: Research News
Court upholds death sentence for church shooter Dylann Roof - Religion News Service – Religion News Service
In Texas, 'Reproductive Freedom Congregations' catch on as new abortion law looms – Religion News Service
They refused the vaccine but still want our empathy. Can we deny them? - Religion News Service – Religion News Service
United Methodist prelude: Small denomination faces its own split over Bible and sex - GetReligion
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.