Death with scythe
Death, represented symbolically by a hooded figure with a scythe, has come to nearly 92,000 Americans because of COVID-19. (Dreamstime photo)
A United Methodist Insight Column
As of May 20, some 92,000 people in the United States have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Because restrictions intended to stop the disease have prevented funerals, family and friends of the deceased have had little opportunity to mourn their passing. Nearly three months into U.S. pandemic restrictions, churches and Christian organizations are beginning to use online means to provide memorials and give people time to grieve for their loved ones.
In the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, Park United Methodist Church in Bloomfield, N.J. is planning monthly livestreamed memorial services, according to an article by Heather Mistretta. Another congregation, Denville Community Church, will hold “virtual memory circles” as needed to help members grieve. Of the latter, Ms. Misrettta writes:
“From a safe social distance, ‘virtual memory circles’ will work to address Psychologist J. William Worden’s “Four Tasks of Mourning,” which are not linear, nor on a timeline:
- Accept reality of loss and acknowledge feelings
- Process grief and pain through expression, action and ritual
- Adjust to the world without the person who died
- Find a way to maintain a connection to the person who died while reconnecting to your own life.
In addition, the National Council of Churches USA will conduct a virtual memorial service, “A Time to Mourn: An Ecumenical Memorial Service for Lives Lost to COVID19 at 6 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 24. The service will broadcast on YouTube and Facebook Live. Register to receive the latest updates. Leaders from many U.S. denominations will read participate while the names of those who’ve died will be scrolled onscreen. Bishop Minerva Carcaño, California-Nevada Conference, will represent The United Methodist Church at the event.
More on COVID-19 mental health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year the observance confronts a catastrophic event in the novel coronavirus pandemic. Bryan Robinson writes in a Forbes magazine article, "How to Recover from Psychological Aftershocks of Lockdown During Mental Health Month":
"Although self-isolation is ending at different times in different states, at some point we will return to offices, restaurants and houses of worship. But what will that look like? One thing is for sure, we won’t ever return to normal; we will return to “a new normal.” And each of us will have repair work to do as we re-enter the world of physical proximity to coworkers and reconnecting with friends, neighbors and loved ones. Not just contagion worries, but recovering from the psychological trauma of having lived under chronic uncertainty, isolation, financial insecurity, job loss and for some, death of friends and loved ones—taken together enough trauma for a massive mental health crisis."
This is no time to be "macho" about our emotions, nor reticent to ask intimate questions about the mental health of friends and loved ones. We need only look to recent suicides among health care workers and first responders to know how much care is needed. Perhaps it's time to recover a time-honored Wesleyan question: How is it with you soul?
Oklahoma TV special spotlights church and COVID-19
Oklahoma United Methodists seek to raise spirits amid the coronavirus pandemic with a 30-minute television special called “Hope for the Heartland: Stories of Inspiration from The United Methodist Church” set to air May 24 on CBS affiliates in Oklahoma. The special also will be available on the conference website. "Everyone is having a hard time right now, in some way or another, and as a church, we are meeting the needs of the vulnerable as much as we can," said Derrek Belase, conference director of connectional ministry, in a press release,.
All about COVID-19
The Rev. Jerry Eckert, a retired clergy member of the Wisconsin Annual Conference, is a helpful guy. He’s one of the stalwarts of an organization called Associates in Advocacy, which assists United Methodist clergy when they are faced with disciplinary complaints. He also regularly interprets decisions of the United Methodist Judicial Council to help clergy and laity understand their effect on local churches and annual conferences.
Jerry recently turned his prodigious gift for research toward the novel coronavirus pandemic. He said he intended his blog post to try to dispel misconceptions people have about COVID-19. His detailed post can be found on his “Jerry’s Place” blog. It’s long, but worth the read time.
Media Mentions as of May 21, 2020
Global cases top 5 million as WHO reports worst day yet for new infections – The Washington Post
Poll: Two-Thirds Expect Return To Normal Will Take 6 Months Or More – NPR
Tackling food insecurity caused by pandemic – UM News
African churches ease pandemic’s hunger blow – UM News
Reclaiming more food to fill pandemic gaps – UM News
COVID-19 delayed a United Methodist schism. But it has left LGBT members in limbo – Religion News Service
Liberia: 3 Non-profit Organizations Identify with 5 Disabled Organizations Amid COVID-19 – Front Page Africa
Liberia: The Drive Talk Show Identifies With Liberia's Less Fortunate in Time of COVID-19 – AllAfrica.com
Zimbabwe: Mutoko Clinics Turn Away Malaria Patients in Fear of COVID-19 – AllAfrica.com
Reopening guidance for churches delayed after White House and CDC disagree – The Washington Post*
New York to allow small religious gatherings, as coronavirus cases fall – The Wall Street Journal*
New York to allow small religious gatherings, as coronavirus cases fall – The Wall Street Journal*
The religious roots of Trump’s magical thinking on coronavirus – CNN
Should churches reopen? The answer lies in thinking of this as a time of exile – TIME*
Historical church hopes to reopen – Ponca City News
* Paid subscription may be required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.