Photo by Phileas Jusu, UMNS
Sierra Leone Medical Response
Osman Jalloh receives medical treatment at the United Methodist Disaster Response booth in the Pentagon community in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Osman was the only survivor in his home when the building collapsed under pressure from the landslide that killed nearly 500 people.
A United Methodist Insight Column
United Methodists are known for responding to disasters quickly and thoroughly at all levels of the denomination. Unfortunately, the latest estimates from experts indicate that the United States should brace for a double- or triple-whammy (or more) this summer as the coronavirus hampers disaster relief and recovery efforts.
According to an article, “Is America prepared to handle natural disasters during the Covid-19 Pandemic” by Ari Kelo from theRising.com, “natural disasters symptomatic of climate change are becoming more and more pronounced each year.” Ms. Kelo found that the threat of hurricanes, wildfires and other climate-linked phenomena “will likely stretch our emergency responses thin” given that the U.S. health system is already stressed from the pandemic and an economic recession looms on the horizon.
No doubt the staff of United Methodist Committee on Relief already is looking at the summer’s potential U. S. disasters with concern, but there are plenty of other potential climate-related crises possible throughout the global denomination. While many annual conferences have a disaster response coordinator and a disaster plan in place, the same can’t be said of a majority of United Methodist congregations. Even though we’re all stressed out by coping with the coronavirus pandemic, the time is now to review or set up a plan for responding to local needs of church and community in times of crisis – with coronavirus protocols firmly in place.
Keep those masks on!
Data scientist Jeremy Howard at the University of San Francisco says the numbers show that wearing a mask in public help significantly to stop the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Howard wants all states to mandate mask-wearing in public, which doesn't seem likely to happen. However, United Methodists can both advocate for the practice and make sure to have plenty of masks on hand when in-person gatherings resume at local churches.
Coronavirus intersects with social injustice
The General Board of Church and Society has adapted its long-held social justice seminars for digital presentation in the wake of COVID-19. This year there are plenty of links between the pandemic and a wealth of social injustices that the coronavirus response has revealed.
Topics include (click the links to register, which will give instructions for the ZOOM meetings):
- May 21: Systemic Racism and Discrimination during COVID-19
- May 28: Confined and Vulnerable: Detained and Incarcerated during COVID-19
- June 4: From the Ground to the Table: Food Insecurity in COVID-19
- June 11: A Just and Peaceable Global Relief from COVID-19
- June 18: Imagining a Just Economy post COVID-19
Church and Society says all sessions, free and open to all, will be held Thursdays at 2 PM ET. Read more about the webinar series here.
North Alabama to offer virtual VBS
Little Bugs, Big Impact
Logo of North Alabama Conference's virtual Vacation Bible School for 2020.
The North Alabama Conference e-Voice newsletter reports: "A group of 25 – 30 children’s ministry leaders from churches throughout the North Alabama Conference area banded together and established a covenant to work together – smarter, not harder – to provide an accessible, online VBS. They agreed that this ministry resource would be free to any church or family and would make use of common things they could easily find in the house or backyard.
The result of their effort is a conference-wide virtual VBS: “Little Bugs, Big Impact: Big and Small, God Uses Us All!” "The hive of VBS activity will take place online and in backyards throughout North Alabama on July 13-17, 2020," reports the newsletter. Registration for North Alabama United Methodists begins Wednesday, May 20.
Guidelines for congregations
From the Lewis Center for Leadership at UMC-related Wesley Theological Seminary:
Get Ready for the New Normal. As restrictions on gatherings imposed by the COVID-19 crisis begin to ease, congregations are likely to find themselves in a both/and reality. They will need to sustain an enhanced digital presence while at the same time resume normal patterns of gathering. Now is the time to strategize and put teams in place to support the challenges and opportunities of this new normal. Read more now.
Key Questions to Consider Before Resuming In-Person Gatherings. Many congregations are eager to reopen their buildings and resume in-person worship services, but it's important to resist the temptation to rush back before it's safe. The Lewis Center staff has assembled this list of key questions to consider before a church can safely resume gathering. Read more now.
Media Mentions as of May 14, 2020
Churches can reopen soon in parts of Virginia and Maryland. But many will keep their doors shut – The Washington Post*
Rev. Barber’s Poor People’s Campaign calls for resistance to reopening plans – Religion News Service
UN chief urges faith leaders to challenge harmful messages – The Associated Press
Christian leaders push for Pentecost reopening in California – Religion News Service
From flannelgraphs to Zoom, churches bring Sunday school home – Religion News Service
Local churches plan to open on May 17 – Fountain Hills Times
Survey shows faith can prosper in online services – Religion News Service
UN chief urges faith leaders to challenge hate speech – Politico
Poll: Most in US back curbing in-person worship amid virus – Lewiston Morning Tribune
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.