Tornillo Protest
Citizens protest the detention of unaccompanied children at Tornillo, Texas, where immigration officials have set up a tent city to house migrant children and teen-agers.
A United Methodist Insight Column
The Trump Administration is deporting migrant children – sometimes in the middle of the night – as a “threat of serious disease” under a 1944 law, according to a New York Times report by Caitlin Dickerson. “American authorities have deported hundreds of migrant children and teenagers, without giving them the opportunity to speak to a social worker or to plead for asylum,” writes David Leonhardt in the Times’ Wednesday newsletter. “… the Trump administration is abandoning protections that both Democratic and Republican presidents have granted to young migrants for decades.”
The deportations also have been documented by other news outlets, according to this report from The Marshall Project:
“’They are using the pandemic as an excuse why they are expelling children.’ The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to deport migrant children during the pandemic, even in cases where they would be returned to countries where they are in mortal danger and where they have relatives in the U.S. PROPUBLICA/TEXAS TRIBUNE “It appeared to me he had given up hope,” said one sponsor of a migrant child. REVEAL Related: A Guatemalan girl goes from one hotel to another, under guard, an example of how hard federal officials are trying to deport migrant children even as lawyers fight to place them with their families. LOS ANGELES TIMES”
These deportations may seem tangential to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the issue aligns with the commitments of United Methodist leaders and members to continue defending human rights in the midst of the worldwide public health crisis. Sounds like it’s time for people of faith to confront federal officials so they know citizens are watching them. If anyone knows of other ways we can address this child abuse, please send us an email.
COVID-19 Seminars
While we're discussing human rights, don't forget the General Board of Church and Society's online series of COVID-19 seminars, "Pre-existing Disparities Exposed," that begins at 2 p.m. EDT May 21. The first topic is how the coronavirus pandemic has revealed racism in the United States and elsewhere. Click here to register.
Laughter as an antidote
Hardly anyone has endured the coronavirus pandemic without mental stress, and that includes both lay and clergy United Methodists. “The Mighty,” a website that publishes articles to help people cope with mental and physical disabilities, warns of a "mental health tsunami" of people needing help with the mental and emotional effects of the pandemic. One of its latest is "8 Ways the COVID-19 Pandemic May Be Affecting Your Mental Health." It's worth a look by anyone, but those engaged in pastoral care may especially benefit from it. Subscribing to The Mighty is free.
Mental Health Tsunami
Chart Courtesy of The Mighty
Sometimes what we need is a good laugh. That’s the mental health message behind an adorable mini-celebrity on the Internet, Callaghan McLaughlin. According to Cathy Free of The Washington Post, the 6-year-old British Columbia resident set up his “Drive-By Walk-By Joke Stand” just so he could tell people 16 jokes he memorized from a book he got at Christmas.
Most of the jokes are real groaners. “Where did the bull take the cow on their date?” “To the mooo-vies,” says Callaghan. But silly jokes and the giggly sweetness of a child remind us that not all is gloom and doom in God’s world, even when things seem darkest. How about encouraging the children In your church to tell some jokes?
Fighting COVID-19 with food
From the United Methodist Committee on Relief: "UMCOR is receiving urgent requests from ministry partners throughout the U.S. and around the world. Sadly, an overwhelming number of these requests are to meet the need for food.
UMCOR COVID-19 Response
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has started a special fund for COVID-19 response. (UMCOR Image)
"Partners who operate or directly support food pantries are asking for help as the global fight against COVID-19 is inflating the price of food, especially in places where food insecurity was already a major public health issue – even here in the U.S. One in 5 children are “food insecure” in the U.S. according to an April 2020 survey by the Brookings Institution.
"Our partners abroad are struggling with food insecurity as well. Soaring food prices are compounding regional shortages of food in communities that were already vulnerable. 100% of your gift to the UMCOR COVID-19 Fund will be used to meet the basic needs of people who are hoping for your response.
Greater Northwest looks to the future
The Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church has published a 26-page set of guidelines, “Reimagining Life Together.” The area held a webinar May 20 to introduce the guidelines to leaders in the Alaska, Pacific Northwest and Oregon-Idaho annual conferences. As with annual conferences around the United States, the Greater Northwest guidelines will differ depending on state requirements, but they are based on the foundational principles of Methodism: do no harm, do good, and attend upon the “ordinances of God” that channel God’s grace to the world. Check them out.
Media Mentions as of May 20, 2020
Clergywoman also is nurse on COVID-19 front line – United Methodist News Service
Communicating in a Crisis – Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Why churches, for now, should remain closed – Chicago Tribune*
Beyond politics, COVID-19 pandemic reveals divide between religious and nonbelieving – The Fresno Bee*
Churches may reopen, but many services won't have singing – Alton Telegraph
Poll: US believers see message of change from God in virus – myfox8.com
North Carolina churches allowed to have indoor services, win restraining order against religious ... – WXII The Triad
Pandemic will alter Communion rituals for many U.S. Christians – The Associated Press
Where group prayer meets group fitness – The New York Times*
As worship places reopen, it’s clear that technology has already concurred every religion – Forbes
Advocating for more aid – United Methodist News Service
Justice Department warns California coronavirus rules may violate religious freedoms – Los Angeles Times*
‘Things will never be the same.’ How the pandemic has changed worship – NPR
Two churches reclose after faith leaders and congregants get coronavirus – The Washington Post*
Oregon high court keeps state virus restrictions in place, including religious restrictions – The Associated Press
Philly-area religious leaders adapt to reach their faithful as pandemic drags on – The Philadelphia Inquirer*
For Boston-area religious leaders, patience in tribulation – The Boston Globe*
*Paid subscription may be required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.