COVID-19 Deaf Ministries
The Rev. Tom Hudspeth of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church leads a Wednesday night Zoom devotional and prayer gathering in American Sign Language. It’s one way that the Dallas church, which has a long history in Deaf ministries, has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Sam Hodges, UMNS.)
For all that we’d like to meet one another face to face, the need for physical distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic has bestowed one unexpected blessing: new opportunities for like-minded United Methodists to conference together online about the denomination’s future.
In addition to town hall meetings on racism, webinars on myriad topics and annual conference sessions all conducted by virtual means, evangelist J.J. Warren has proposed a strategy for pro-LGBTQ forces to use in the coming year while preparing for the 2021 General Conference. He writes from Germany in the latest issue of his email newsletter The Circuit:
“With a functioning government, Germany has dramatically [fewer] cases than the U.S., which means I was able to meet with Olaf Bogdan, a gay member of The United Methodist Church in Germany (Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche). As the Germany central conference discusses how they will be a Church that includes all people, open conversations about sexuality and faith are needed. Together, Olaf and I created this video to begin building bridges with churches over here. Once it's safe enough, I'll be continuing these conversations with churches across Germany and other parts of Europe.
“… My Challenge to You: With online gatherings becoming the norm, we can meet with churches around the world--or even just at the other side of our state. There are pastors, District Superintendents, and even bishops that reprimand churches for having people like me (a gay ordination candidate?) visit their churches. What if each of you talked with the fellow reconciling folks/committee/group at your church and decided to have a Zoom meeting with churches in Mississippi that are afraid of holding a public event but could easily chat online under the radar? What if your church partnered with a church in Alabama (or the red areas in California) and virtually swapped pastors or a lay person to talk about queer inclusion? What if your church learned what it's like to be a queer-affirming Methodist in Kenya or Germany? Imagine the transformation that could unfold!”
We’ll be watching with interest to see if J.J.’s suggestion takes hold.
UMC to offer 2 ‘Dismantling Racism’ town halls
Two new interactive town hall discussions are planned for August as part of the UMC’s new “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” initiative, according to a press release from the General Commission on Religion and Race. The town hall series of webinars on anti-racism explores both old and new approaches to organizing for racial justice in church and community.
In the first of the two discussions, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 1 PM, participants will hear from a panel of older, seasoned leaders. A panel of emerging leaders will follow in discussion two weeks later on Wednesday, Aug. 26, also at 1 PM. These two webinars will be viewable at UMC.org/EndRacismTownHall and also via livestream video on the UMC’s Facebook page. Recordings of them will also be available.
And while we’re in this neighborhood, here’s an encouraging note from The Lily newsletter: Some 130 Black or multiracial Black women are candidates for Congress this year. That’s a record number. Be sure you’re registered and get out to vote Nov. 3.
Demonstrators, be aware and take care
Sobering reports in New York City media chronicle how NYPD officers arrested some 2,000 demonstrators recently using tactics that many are questioning as excessive. The Marshall Project cites reports from the New York Times and the New York Daily News on the arrests. Especially chilling is the The New York Times report in which a doctor, wearing scrubs and bedecked with red crosses, was forcibly arrested by police as he walked among protesters to give medical aid. While we want our police officers to be safe and don’t condone violent protests, the “arbitrary and capricious” nature of some recent arrests cited in civilian complaints seems to run mighty close to civil rights violations. If you’re marching, be as alert as you are peaceful.
Mask maker named ministry partner
The General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) Connectional Relations Team is has announced that On the Go Masks (OTG) has been approved as a ministry partner. The Connectional Relations Team researches and certifies companies that can provide needed services to help local churches and other United Methodist entities in their respective ministry of administration.
The press release states: “As a ministry partner, On the Go Masks is offering an exclusive program for the purchase of KN95 personal protection equipment (PPE) at a reduced rate so that churches and other UM entities can have the supplies needed as they begin to re-open or schedule future re-openings. The program includes: FDA registered products for adults and children; direct to the church wholesale pricing; easy, online ordering; and free shipping within the US. To participate, go to this link on the GCFA website: https://www.gcfa.org/partners/otg-masks/.”
Not making for a merry Christmas
NPR reports that new public health projections shows the U.S. death toll from coronavirus could reach nearly 300,000 people by Dec. 1. “Roughly 160,000 people have died so far,” says NPR. At this rate, COVID-19 “could soon be the third leading cause of death in the U.S., behind heart disease and cancer,” NPR reports.
Meanwhile, The Marshall Project reports that “COVID-19 cases inside state and federal prisons rise another 10 percent in the past week. At least 86,639 prisoners across the country have now tested positive for the coronavirus, led by recent spikes in about a half dozen states, including California, Florida and Texas. At least 804 prisoners have died of COVID-19-related causes. More than 19,000 prison staff also have tested positive for the virus. At least 62 have died. In collaboration with the Associated Press, here is our updated tracker. The Marshall Project And here is our updated tracker of how prisons are restricting visits during the pandemic. The Marshall Project”
More coronavirus concerns
From The Pew Research Center: “A new survey finds that eight-in-ten Americans say houses of worship should be required to follow the same rules about social distancing and large gatherings as other organizations or businesses in their local area. And among those who regularly attend religious services (at least in more typical times), few say their congregations are operating normally – and most support the precautions being taken.” Pew also finds that Black and Hispanic worshipers are more worried about the safety of physical worship services than white people are.
Media Mentions as if Aug. 10, 2020
Deaf ministries navigate COVID-19 challenges – UM News
Africans rely on survival skills to fight COVID-19 – UM News
Africa University shifts fall semester online – UM News
Bay United Methodist Church finds new ways to connect – Westlake | Bay Village Observer
Fact check: Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not create religion-based exemption from mask mandates – USA TODAY
Hispanic, Black children at higher risk of coronavirus-related hospitalization, CDC finds – Washington Post
To cope with pandemic, Americans choose binge-watching TV over the Bible – Religion News Service
Only 37% of US churches holding in-person services are following this key CDC guideline – CNN
Program helps "people in the pews" and faith communities respond to trauma – Religion News Service
How the sound of religion has changed in the pandemic – Westport News
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.