UPDATED Nov. 18
A United Methodist Insight Column
A surge in coronavirus cases, a need for hurricane recovery funds, and new attempts to keep extracting climate-destroying fossil fuels mark this issue of Crisis Watch. We’ll start with some of the latest United Methodist updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
Bard November
From the Northern Illinois Conference: "Gov. JB Pritzker has announced Tier 3 mitigations start Friday, Nov. 20 following a rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The restrictions limit in-person gatherings, including weddings and funerals.
"Bishop Sally Dyck urges churches to comply with the new guidelines. "In order to be good neighbors to those in our communities and churches, to be part of the solution to this COVID spike, and to keep ourselves and loved ones safe, I would ask that churches not meet for at least the next four weeks," said Dyck. 'I would also ask that everyone refrain from Thanksgiving gatherings beyond people whom you are sheltering together with. Be safe! Be a good neighbor! And make a difference!'"
From Bishop Bob Hoshibata, Desert Southwest Conference: “LET’S KEEP VIGILANT! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YOU ARE DOING! Recent statistics are showing an alarming, dramatic rise in the number of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in the Desert Southwest Conference. Nevada and Arizona are both besieged by concerning increases that equal the numbers we experienced in the early days of this past summer. Despite an encouraging decline, the trend is now reversed. “Many factors seem to be contributing to this: COVID-19 fatigue, letting our guard down, and social gatherings that expose more people to the virus. “We are all weary of the social distancing that has been strongly advised by health authorities, the scientific community, and many of our leaders. Attendance at worship services are now considered among the risky activities, especially when safety precautions are not observed. I ask all churches to follow strictly the safe practices in your Comprehensive Plans.
“TO MASK OR NOT TO MASK? I am convinced that correctly wearing a face covering is an effective weapon against COVID-19. The latest finding is that such a face covering, correctly worn, may prevent you from spreading the virus if you are infected AND a face covering may also protect you from getting infected.”
From Bishop Peggy A. Johnson, Philadelphia Area: "As the holy seasons approach and virus fatigue is at an all-time high, we are also experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in our state. I ask you, I beg you to heed the directives of the Pennsylvania Health Department and your city and county health officials.
"We must all wear masks indoors and outdoors, and continue vigilant hand-washing and social distancing. Travel should be restricted; and if you do leave the state, you should receive a negative test within 72 hours before your return, as should anyone else who enters the state. Or those who do not get tested should self-quarantine for 14 days. It has been reported that 50 percent of virus transmission comes from people who do not show any symptoms.
"Our churches should consider conducting worship using virtual means as much as possible. If you do gather onsite, please limit your attendance, carefully social- distance yourselves, do not sing, keep the services brief, refrain from having fellowship dinners, and use individually wrapped cups and wafers for Communion.
"As Dr. Rachel Levine, the state’s Commissioner of Health, said today, “It depends on us.” It is our personal responsibility to protect ourselves and one another from this deadly disease."
From Bishop Julius C. Trimble, Indiana Area: "We are at an unprecedented time in history. In just the past few weeks, we have witnessed a rapid increase of positive COVID-19 cases across the state, nation and world setting new daily and weekly records nearly every day. This news is alarming and requires all of us to make difficult but necessary decisions for the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.
- “There is a tremendous risk with this virus. It spreads really, really easily. The next 8-12 weeks are critical. Anything the Church can do to reduce gatherings will be helpful to slow the spread. We must take this very seriously,” said Kristen Kelley, Director of Infection Prevention, IU Health
"Since it is a fact that church worship gatherings are key sources of the spread of COVID-19, it is the recommendation of your Bishop that all churches should suspend in-person worship and in-person meetings of groups for the foreseeable future until the number of COVID cases improve. This will likely include making alternative plans for the holidays. This is particularly true for churches in counties and communities where hospitals are reporting excessive demands due to the rising number of COVID admissions.
"We do not make this recommendation lightly, but offer it through an abundance of caution, a continued commitment to our 3 General Rules: Do no harm, Do good, and Stay in love with God; and because “loving our neighbor” is at the top of our priority list. Remember, a life saved this winter is a life saved to journey with us into the next year.
"Please note that we are not closing the Church! We are not out of business! But I am calling on all pastors to use their authority to make wise and bold decisions for their community, and I am calling for all Indiana United Methodists to continue ministry in creative and innovative ways like you have been for the past 7 months.
- “We need to be willing to do the hard things and to make sacrifices in the short term for the benefit of all in the long term,” said Rev. Kevin Armstrong, Chief of Staff, IU Health
We encourage you to watch the COVID Town Hall video on the INUMC website as well as resources discussed in that webinar (Nov. 16)."
From the Seattle Times, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has issued new restrictions through Dec. 14, including the following:
“Religious services
“Indoor occupancy must be limited to 25%, or no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. Congregation members/attendees must wear facial coverings at all times and congregation singing is prohibited. Choirs, bands or ensembles are not allowed to perform during service. Vocal or instrumental soloists are permitted to perform, and vocal soloists may have a single accompanist. Outdoor services must follow the outdoor dining guidance …”
Louisiana Bishop Asks for Hurricane Recovery Help
Trouble on the fossil fuel front
Two troubling developments emerged Nov. 16 for United Methodists working to get the world to move away from burning fossil fuels.
The Washington Post reported that Trump Administration officials are rushing to auction off oil leases in the environmentally sensitive Alaska National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR). “The government also plans to auction off oil and gas rights to more than 383,000 acres of federal land in the Lower 48 in the next two months, according to Taylor McKinnon, public lands campaigner for the advocacy group Center for Biological Diversity,” reports Juliet Ellperin.
United Methodists have been concerned with the impact of energy extraction in indigenous people’s land such as the Arctic preserve. Resolution 1001 in the 2016 Book of Resolutions reads in part: “We oppose any energy policy that will result in continuing exploitation of indigenous peoples’ lands. Oil exploration, hydro- electric projects, the mining of coal, and the milling of uranium despoil indigenous peoples’ lands and increase health and socio-economic problems.”
In response to the announcement, the Post reported: “Bernadette Demientieff, executive director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee, whose people have traveled with the caribou on the refuge for thousands of years, said in a statement: ‘Any company thinking about participating in this corrupt process should know that they will have to answer to the Gwich’in people and the millions of Americans who stand with us. We have been protecting this place forever.’”
Meanwhile, Andy Pearson, MN350’s Midwest Tar Sands Coordinator, the climate change organization co-founded by United Methodist environmentalist Bill McKibben, sent the following email:
“Minnesota just granted some of the final permits needed for the Line 3 tar sands pipeline that would carry heavy Canadian oil across 340 miles in North Dakota, northern Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
“But even though construction could begin as soon as next month, this fight isn’t over. An amazing movement of tribal nations, climate and environmental groups, Indigenous organizers, and allies have been fighting this project for over six years, and we’re not stopping now.”
Media Mentions as of Nov. 16, 2020
Religious freedom arguments give rise to executive order battle – NPR
Case on churches, Cuomo and coronavirus arrives at Supreme Court – The New York Times *
‘Righting a wrong’: Nevada first to protect same-sex marriage – The Associated Press
Trump divided the nation and their church, experts say, but evangelical fans have few regrets – Religion News Service
Trump or no Trump, religious authoritarianism is here to stay – The New York Times *
The evangelical reckoning begins – The Atlantic *
*Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.