A United Methodist Insight Column
The General Commission on Relief and Race is doing a great job offering resources that remind us of how the coronavirus pandemic disproportionately affects communities of color. Among them is GCORR Real Talk, described as “a series of conversations with community and faith leaders to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and uncover the disparities of race, ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status that are deeply embedded in our social fabric.”
GCORR’s next offering comes at 2 p.m. ET Friday, May 8th on Facebook with Rev. Moya Harris, executive minister of Metropolitan AME Church, D.C., and cardiac catheterization lab nurse, and Ryane B. Nickens, founder/president of The TraRon Center, on systemic racism, COVID-19, and the inequities of the consequences to black communities.
By the numbers
Thanks to the WTF Just Happened newsletter, here are statistics on COVID-19 infections and deaths as of May 7, 2020:
Global: Total confirmed cases 3,725,000; Total deaths: 261,000; Total recoveries: 1,227,000. (Johns Hopkins University)
U.S.: Total confirmed cases 1,217,000; Total deaths: 72,200; Total recoveries: 190,000.
Layoffs, furloughs and postponements
UM News gathered information on conferences facing layoffs and staff furloughs because the pandemic has reduced their income:
MONTGOMERY, Ala.| UM News — The financial fallout of the pandemic is affecting United Methodist conferences. The Alabama-West Florida Conference plans to eliminate 14 conference and district positions and cut senior staff salaries. The Virginia Conference has laid off five employees and reduced two positions to part-time. The Greater New Jersey Conference is furloughing executive staff for three-quarters of a month and the rest of staff for half a month.
Read Alabama-West Florida Conference story
Read Virginia Conference story
Read message from Bishop Schol
Meanwhile, the World Methodist Council has rescheduled the once-every-five-years World Methodist Conference from Aug. 18-21, 2021, in Gothenburg, Sweden, to Aug. 10-14, 2022. Read press release
Project Transformation, a nonprofit through which college-age students work with vulnerable youths, has suspended in-person summer camps this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, virtual programming and food distribution will be offered. Read press release
Re-opening challenges
So your church members think it will be simple to re-open church after the coronavirus lockdown? Think again, say leaders in many U.S. annual conferences.
The Iowa Conference Crisis Operations Team has prepared a thoughtful and detailed plan for how to resume in-person gatherings at churches. Read the details here.
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference also has published a “get-ready” document. “Pandemic Re-opening Best Practices for Eastern PA Conference Churches.” It’s posted at the top of EPA’s Coronavirus Ministry Response web page.
Likewise, Michigan Conference leaders have prepared for “First Sunday Back,” even though they still have no clue when that will be. A Michigan Conference website article shares the coronavirus impact:
“In just weeks, Michigan has registered 40,000+ cases and 3,600+ deaths. Until there is a decline in new cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, it is uncertain when, or how, state restrictions will be lifted.
“In the meantime, Bishop [David] Bard, in conjunction with Conference Staff, has developed a study guide to help local churches prepare for the day restrictions are lifted and in-person worship is considered safe again. … Bishop Bard will soon release specific guidelines for local churches based on decisions announced by state health officials. Click here for the First Sunday Back guidebook in color. For a black-and-white printable version, click here."
Meanwhile, North Alabama Conference Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett has asked churches to continue the suspension of in-person worship services and gatherings until at least May 18 and possibly later. The 2020 session of the North Alabama Annual Conference has been rescheduled for Aug. 16-17.
What challenges are your church or annual conference facing in preparing to re-open after coronavirus lockdowns ease? Send your stories to United Methodist Insight.
Notable quote
“The pandemic has fast-forwarded us into our future at warp speed. We will not be able to unlearn what we have learned about being the church going forward.” – Bill Wilson, 11 Provocative Thoughts and Questions About What’s Next, Lewis Center for Church Leadership.
Dr. Wilson is founder and director of the Center for Healthy Churches in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was previously president of the Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest Baptist Health.
Prayers and help for Tanzania
From Northern Illinois Conference newsletter: “Missionary Rev. Young Seon (Christina) Kim is asking for continued prayers for Tanzania as COVID-19 continues to spread across the country. Despite the pandemic, construction on the secondary school, the recipient of this year's Bishop's Appeal, continues. Churches may donate to Rev. Kim's Advance #3022281 for programs and ministry to help her provide food and sanitary supplies for COVID-19 relief in Tanzania. Please indicate your church and that the donation is for COVID-19 relief. Checks with the Advance # in the memo line may also be sent to: Advance GCFA at P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Fundraising is also continuing for the construction of the school, which is slated to be completed by Jan. 2021. Click here to learn how to donate.”
Finding Peace: A prayer for an anxious world
From Finding Peace in an Anxious World leader’s guide, by Olivia DiAgostino, United Methodist Women, p. 20
“Eternal God, grant us peace in this anxious world. May we trust in you with all of our hearts, and may you bring us insight and refreshment. Help us to practice Christian acceptance of the things we cannot change, and give us the courage to take action when we are called to act. Your ways are ways of righteousness, justice, and equity. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Media Mentions as of May 5, 2020
Faith activism amid pandemic spans causes and denominations – Westport News/The Associated Press
Tired of Zoom, churches consider plans to pray in person –The New York Times *
National Day of Prayer, reshaped by pandemic, includes interfaith and online events – Religion News Service
* Paid subscription may be required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.