Humans can be the most astonishing creatures. We’re capable of staggering cruelty these days, and yet alongside the worst of us come people like retired nurse Laura Weiss of Boulder, Colo.
Light of Appreciation
Retired nurse Laura Weiss created this four-foot chandelier from used vials for COVID-19 as a "light of appreciation" for nurses and support staff who led a vaccination campaign in Boulder, Colo. (Photo courtesy of Laura Weiss)
Like many of her nursing colleagues, Ms. Weiss volunteered to help when Boulder County issued a plea for nurses to help vaccinate residents against COVID-19. According to NPR, over the past seven months Boulder’s vaccination drive has resulted in 82 percent of its population having received one dose, while 77 percent of the eligible citizenry have been fully vaccinated.
Ms. Weiss wanted to do something to show her appreciation for everyone who supported the vaccination campaign, especially her fellow nurses. She ended up with a four-foot-tall chandelier made entirely of used vaccine bottles that she cleaned, drilled, and assembled.
She calls her work the Light of Appreciation, and as the accompanying photo shows, it’s a work of magnificent creativity and meaning. Read the full story on NPR’s website.
Feeling down? Read UM Men’s magazine
With all the gloom and doom we’re enduring these days, inspiration and encouragement can be hard to come by. To relieve the constant stress of our times, I recommend reading the latest issue of the United Methodist Men’s magazine.
UMMen's magazine
One of the features from the September 2021 issue of the UM Men's Magazine. (UM Insight Screenshot)
Edited by my longtime friend and colleague Rich Peck and men’s commission staffers Rick Vance and Steven Scheid, the latest issue focuses not only on men’s ministry, but on the whole of the Methodist faith from its beginnings. The issue is jam-packed with important stories like a tribute to outgoing UM Men’s executive Gil Hanke and informative, entertaining features that will surprise even longtime United Methodists. Kudos to all involved, and thanks for the spirit-lifter!
Good news, bad news on climate
First, there are two pieces of good news about efforts to reduce greenhouse gases that are fueling climate change.
The Guardian reports: “The global pipeline of new coal power plants has collapsed since the 2015 Paris climate agreement, according to research that found that more than three-quarters of the world’s planned plants have been scrapped since the climate deal was signed.” This represents a big step toward net-zero carbon emissions such as those to which more than a dozen United Methodist agencies have committed to achieve by 2050.”
National Geographic’s “Planet Possible” newsletter reports: “The highly toxic pollutant lead is finally out of the petrol that fuels our cars and trucks—everywhere. The last country in the world to sell leaded gasoline, Algeria (pictured above), finally stopped doing so in August.” How big is this development? One scientist put it this way: “anything you can think of, lead can destroy.” In addition, since the U.S. banned all lead gasoline in 1996, blood-lead levels in American children plummeted 70 percent. We agree with NatGeo environment writer Craig Welch, this is a moment to savor.
Now, the bad news, also from The Guardian: “Four in 10 young people around the world are hesitant to have children as a result of the climate crisis and fear that governments are doing too little to prevent climate catastrophe, a poll in 10 countries has found. Nearly six in 10 young people aged 16 to 25 were very or extremely worried about the climate, according to the biggest scientific study yet on climate anxiety and young people, published on Tuesday. A similar number said governments were not protecting them, the planet, nor future generations.”
These reports underscore why it’s important for people of faith to focus on influencing the leaders scheduled to meet at COP26 in November in Glasgow, Scotland. Check with UMC Creation Justice Movement or Creation Justice Ministries for more information.
Delta variant and schools’ dilemma
The Washington Post reports in its “The 7” newsletter:
“The delta variant has forced nearly 1,700 school closures this fall.
“Schools say safety guidelines are vague: Few of the 20 largest school districts are screening for asymptomatic students, who can infect others without knowing it, a Post survey found.
“Another factor: A quarter of the 200 largest districts aren’t requiring masks.
“Despite the risks, many parents, teachers and experts agree kids need to be back in the classroom. Read the story.”
Media Mentions as of Sept. 14, 2021
A mask mandate showdown in Cobb County school board pits 'faith' against 'fear' _ Religion News Service
2021 could be 'best year ever' for America's nonprofits, new report suggests - Religion News Service
Bishop Spong: Theology without limit or bound - Religion News Service
Religious Exemption Claims On The Rise With Increased Vaccine Mandates | Kaiser Health News
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.