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United Methodist Communications has unveiled a new public information campaign that simultaneously encourages COVID-19 sheltering while it reaches out to the community. (UMCom Image)
A United Methodist Insight Column
The specter is somber from the New York Times Daily Briefing:
“Lockdowns are drying up work and incomes around the globe, leaving millions to worry about having enough to eat. The World Food Program estimates that 265 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of the year, which would double the number of people facing acute hunger.
“The crisis is caused by many factors, experts say, including the sudden loss of income for millions who were already living hand-to-mouth; the collapse in oil prices; currency shortages from the loss of tourism; and overseas workers not having earnings to send home.
“’The coronavirus has been anything but a great equalizer,’” said a volunteer food worker in a Kenyan slum, where a giveaway of flour and cooking oil set off a fatal stampede. ‘It’s been the great revealer, pulling the curtain back on the class divide and exposing how deeply unequal this country is.’”
Lines outside U.S. food banks are reportedly blocks long. Whatever you can do to help feed your neighbors in this immediate emergency, please do it, but observe social distancing, wash your hands and wear your masks. Then, start advocating for a more equal economy post-COVID-19.
About that ‘opening up’…
United Methodist Bishops in states whose governors have said they want to reduce or rescind coronavirus restrictions are calling for churches to stay closed.
Oklahoma Bishop Jimmy Nunn: “It is our expectation that all United Methodist Churches remain closed and that staff work from home as much as possible. We do not recommend that any in-person gatherings take place for any reason except for recording worship services and messages of devotion and encouragement and small groups to provide for community needs. As a reminder, the guidelines are 10 people or less who are practicing social distancing of at least 6 feet. We are praying for our pastors, our churches and our communities and value the good you are doing.”
South Georgia Bishop R. Lawson Bryan: “… let us remember that the governor’s shelter-in-place order is in effect until April 30 and the state of emergency order is in place until May 13. Therefore, we ask all local churches to continue suspending in-person services until May 13. At that time we will release further guidelines based on up-to-date data from health officials and the governor. … Let’s use these next three weeks to read and address the questions posed in the blog post entitled, “24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return.” Please take each of these questions seriously.”
Rio Texas Bishop Robert Schnase “We acknowledge and commend those Rio Texas church leaders and participants who have adopted alternative, creative ways to gather virtually for worship and support. … The next several weeks will be critical in our effort to stem the spread of the virus, and the cooperative effort of all of us is important. Our willingness to amend our practices is a gift we give to people we may never meet.”
Desert Southwest Bishop Bob Hoshibata: We have not yet seen the worst of the ravages of the novel coronavirus (nCoV). Additionally, the medical community is warning us that a second occurrence is possible, especially when communities relax restrictions too soon. Therefore, I am directing that United Methodist churches continue the suspension of in-person worship and other gatherings of any size until further notice. [writer’s emphasis] I will be monitoring the situation and I will communicate each Wednesday on our website with an update about the suspension.
Adapting spiritual support to circumstances
The Associated Press offers a report on how “spiritual counselors,” i.e., chaplains, pastors and other clerics, are adapting to meet the faith needs of patients and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those interviewed is Rev. Roger Jackson, senior pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Brooklyn. Rev. Jackson said a cemetery limited his time for a graveside services to 15 minutes for a church member who recently died. The AP quotes Rev. Jackson: “There’s really very little answers we have as pastors on how to help (family members) through that process, because it’s so unusual and so different than what we’re used to.”
In the meantime, there’s CARES
From Eastern Pennsylvania Conference’s NEWSpirit newsletter:
“The General Commission on Religions & Race (GCORR) presented on Facebook Live Wednesday, April 22, a discussion with the Rev. Lydia Munoz, pastor of Swarthmore UMC and social justice advocate, and Ryan Bowers co-founder of Activest, a voice for fiscal and racial justice in municipal finance.
“Muñoz and Bowers discussed hurdles and inequities that are being experienced by communities and churches of color affected by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of business, particularly when applying for emergency financial assistance through the new federal CARES Act. View the recording “
Media Mentions April 23, 2020
Self-Care and Boundaries During These Times – General Commission on Status and Role of Women
GOP gubernatorial candidate sues Washington governor over coronavirus ban on religious gatherings – The Seattle Times*
California pastors’ request to allow in-person worship is denied by federal judge – Los Angeles Times*
Around the world, the devout are adapting their rituals to fit life under the coronavirus – The Washington Post*
Why are we litigating church openings? – Religion News Service
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. Send news of how you or your congregation is coping with the coronavirus pandemic.