A United Methodist Insight Column
COVID19 News
God told us to care for creation, but we’ve done a miserable job of it. Now creation is fighting back in ways that are harmful to humans, but we’re still not paying attention.
That’s not solely my opinion. Albeit my view interprets facts through the lens of faith, dozens of scientists worldwide have come to the conclusion that humanity’s abuse of the natural world is behind the current coronavirus pandemic, the ones that have gone before it (ex. SARS, Ebola) and the ones that will come after it.
This week Princeton University research scholar Laura H. Kahn, an expert in public health, biodefense and pandemics, writes in The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, “Why the United States Needs Pandemic-Fighting Federal Agency.”
“Many of the viruses and microorganisms that could spark a pandemic or be used in bioterrorism are zoonotic [transmitted from animals to people],” she writes. “They are found in domestic and wild animals and have the potential to spill over to people. Yet despite the inextricable connections between the environment and human health, the federal government addresses these areas through a litany of programs housed in several different agencies and funded by different budgetary buckets. The COVID-19 pandemic, stemming as it most likely does from a bat coronavirus, provides a clear example of how animal and environmental health is related to our own. It’s an example the next presidential administration should acknowledge by taking a holistic approach to health security.”
Dr. Kahn’s article raises a host of questions for those of us who believe that “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). A few examples:
- What are we doing to engage our local congregations in being good environmental stewards in our community contexts?
- What personal behaviors must I change to be a good steward of creation?
- How can I influence my local, state and federal governments to consider the “big picture” of environmental and human health in making public policies?
I’ve found at least three resources for answers to these questions. For starters, check out Caretakers of God’s Creation: United Methodists Caring for God’s Creation Facebook page; Global Ministries Earthkeepers; and the Civic Engagement toolkit from the General Board of Church and Society. That last resource is a "two-fer;" it's also good for working on dismantling racism.
But we’re all so tired!
Yes, we’re all tired, individually and collectively. Still, we’re counseled in Galatians 6:9 not to be weary in doing what is right, because eventually we’ll reap a good harvest.
Michael Adam Beck has some good advice in the latest issue of Ministry Matters, My church is tired! How do we overcome missional paralysis?
He writes: ”Some pervading sentiments throughout the country are the grief, content overload, pressure from congregants, no easy answers, exhaustion and screen fatigue. I led a webinar last week titled ‘How Tired Churches Can Re-engage for Mission While the Pandemic Continues.’ Over 400 people registered, and each person represented hundreds more in their faith communities who resonated with the word ‘tired.’”
Michael serves as Director of Re-Missioning for Fresh Expressions U.S. and Cultivator of Fresh Expressions for the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. In his article he shares five key learnings to help overcome missional paralysis and another three suggestions for how leaders can begin the plan beyond the pandemic. Worth a look.
By the numbers …
In her July 1 “Letters from an American", historian Heather Cox Richardson reports: “Today, there were 52,788 new reported infections in the country, topping 50,000 for the first time. Right now, the seven-day average of new confirmed cases is the highest it’s ever been, and 45 states have seven-day averages of new infections higher than the previous week. June saw more than 800,000 new cases, bringing the total number of cases in the United States to more than 2.6 million.” We can't repeat the litany often enough: stay home, stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands, keep social distance. And pray for those who don't follow these guidelines, because they won't only become infected, they will infect those around them. (Yes, I'm talkin' 'bout you crazy Alabama college students and your "COVID-19 parties.")
Mission experts denounce racial injustice
Dr. David W. Scott, UM & Global blogmaster, reports that three organizations of mission professionals have issued a joint statement on race and injustice in the United States. He writes:
“The American Society of Missiology, the Association of Professors of Mission and the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education have issued a joint statement on race and injustice in the United States of America. The short, theologically-grounded statement acknowledges the impact of racism on the history and practice of mission and lays out six commitments for future work toward ending racism. Such a joint public statement is a first for the three groups, and this is the first time that the American Society of Missiology has made a public statement on any current issue.
“The three groups each bring together a mix of scholars and practitioners from ecumenical Protestant, independent evangelical, and Catholic traditions. The three groups have members and leaders from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, and Asian Americans are particularly well-represented, but each group is majority white.”
Media Mentions July 2, 2020
White supremacist ideas have historical roots in U.S. Christianity – NPR
Jeff Sessions explains why Christians support Trump – The Atlantic*
Evangelical leaders are speaking up about race — but will this new focus last? – Religion News Service
*Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.