Halloween COVID-19
A protective face mask adds safety to a little boy's Halloween costume during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Anchiy Getty Images)
A United Methodist Insight Column
We’re on the brink of October, which means we’ve been homebound by the coronavirus pandemic for seven months. Since fall is usually the busiest season for churches with all kinds of craft fairs, festivals and holiday events, a restricted season is going to feel mighty strange.
Priscilla Blossom of Kaiser Health News reports via the mental-health website The Mighty that public health authorities are urging families and groups to err on the side of caution for Halloween and other fall activities. “Much depends on each family’s comfort with taking risks and ensuring they adhere to safety standards and common sense, they said. Masks should be worn by all, even if not part of a costume,” Ms. Blossom writes.
The article continues: “… The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released Halloween guidelines that warn against high-risk activities like traditional trick-or-treating, haunted houses and costume parties, as well as hay and tractor rides, among other things. The federal agency is also clear on the need for social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing to continue.”
Ms. Blossom’s article also has several creative Halloween ideas for children and teens alike that may be adapted for church events. Be sure to read the full article.
Pandemic has mixed impact on churches
From the Lewis Center for Church Leadership: “A Lake Institute survey reveals that the impact of the pandemic on U.S. congregations has been mixed. A majority of congregations (52 percent) reported an increase in participation but a plurality of respondents (41 percent) experienced a decrease in giving.”
Climate emergency updates
Plastic washed up on beach
A beach in Papeete, Tahiti in French Polynesia is polluted with plastic garbage. (Jens Kuhfs / Getty Images)
Scientists Have Created a ‘Super Enzyme’ That Breaks Down Plastic Six Times Faster. From VICE: “In a breakthrough that could mean wonders for plastic recycling and disposal, scientists have created a new combination of enzymes to break down plastic faster. This “super enzyme” as they call it, not only breaks down plastic six times faster than current methods, but is also more affordable and can work on a larger scale.”
Considering that we now have enormous islands of plastic floating around the world’s oceans, this could be a tremendous breakthrough in the climate emergency. Let’s hope it proves to be effective without mutating into some monster enzyme that consumes everything in its path, like every science-fiction movie we’ve seen.
Creation Care
From the North Texas Conference: “The Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program, scheduled for Nov. 6-21, that equips U.S.-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Topics include eco-theology, anti-racism, community organizing and project planning. All participants plan a project during the training. Register by Oct. 19.”
Anti-racism efforts
Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has re-published 2019 data showing that “a majority (57%) of Americans say President Donald Trump’s decisions and behavior have encouraged white supremacist groups.” A post in its newsletter continued: “During Tuesday night’s presidential debate between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the president refused to condemn white supremacist groups. When offered a specific group to condemn, the Proud Boys, Trump appeared to encourage their behavior. … Additional PRRI data shows that fewer than one in ten (6%) say the president has discouraged white supremacist groups.”
In light of the above, I highly recommend taking a look at the anti-racism resource page offered by the North Texas Annual Conference. I’ve looked around the connection for resources related to the crises we’re facing, and the North Texas collection is one of the best I’ve seen so far. Full disclosure, I’m in the North Texas Conference, but I’d say this even it weren’t my home. North Texas’ Center for Missional Outreach also lists resources for COVID-19, Immigration Advocacy and Disaster Response, among other topics.
Media Mentions as of Sept. 30, 2020
Black church turnout effort mobilizes against alleged voter suppression – Religion News Service
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.