Coronavirus solidarity
The General Board of Church and Society expresses its support for social distancing and sheltering at home via its marquee at the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Church and Society Photo)
A United Methodist Insight Column
The United States has reached a cruel milestone: 600,000 deaths from COVID-19, the respiratory infection caused by the coronavirus, more than any other country, according to NPR.
A Washington Post article, “600,000 dead: With normal life in reach, covid’s late-stage victims lament what could have been” by Marc Fisher, Fenit Nirappil, Annie Gowen and Lori Rozsa captures the surreal time when more deaths are occurring even as vaccines are allowing society to re-open:
“The Americans who have died of covid-19 in recent days and weeks — the people whose deaths have pushed the total U.S. loss from the pandemic to nearly 600,000 — passed away even as their families, friends and neighbors emerged from 15 months of isolation and fear. The juxtaposition is cruel: Here, masks off; workplaces, shops and schools reopening. There, people struggling to breathe, separated from loved ones, silenced by ventilators.”
To get even more perspective on the coronavirus pandemic, I suggest perusing The Essential Ed Yong Reading List in The Atlantic magazine. Mr. Yong just won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for his stellar work tracking and deciphering the global health catastrophe.
Around The United Methodist Church, congregations are cautiously resuming in-person events such as Sunday worship as local regulations permit. Even more are planning services for coronavirus victims whose memorials have been postponed for months because of the pandemic. Among them are the Rev. Nick Harris, pastor who led First UMC-Oklahoma City through the dark days following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building across the street from the church. Rev. Harris, 81, died from COVID-19 in November 2020. He will be remembered during a service at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 19, at First UMC Oklahoma City (see link in Media Mentions below).
Isolated from their congregations for 15 months because of the pandemic, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership acknowledges the toll that the coronavirus struggle has taken on pastors. Author Mike Bonem “urges congregations to take heed of the stress carried by leaders in this busy and chaotic time and develop plans to respond,” says an article on the center’s website. Be sure to check in with your pastor and see the he or she is well cared for along with church members.
Climate developments celebrated
May Boeve, executive director of the climate advocacy group 350.org co-founded by United Methodist layman Bill McKibben, has returned from maternity leave with a new sense of hope regarding the global climate emergency. She writes in 350’s latest newsletter:
“Since I've been on leave, a Dutch court ruled that Shell must reduce its net carbon dioxide emissions 45% by 2030 (with 2019 as a baseline). This decision sends a strong message to fossil fuel companies, banks, and pension funds all over the world that greenwashing and lies will not prevent them from being held accountable for the climate crisis.
“Here in the US, Chevron shareholders voted against the oil company's board to force the company to cut its emissions, and two climate activists were elected to ExxonMobil's board.
“And on May 18, 2021, the International Energy Agency joined the choir and said what campaigners and activists have been saying for years: we have to get off fossil fuels NOW and leapfrog development across the globe towards a renewable energy powered future. Absolutely amazing.”
Even so, this is no time for United Methodist climate activists to let up on their efforts, as evidenced by an article this week on The Conversation website, “Rocky Mountain forests burning more now than any time in the past 2,000 years.” United Methodist Insight is a partner with The Conversation and some 400 other news outlets in the global initiative, “Covering Climate Now.” CCN aims to raise awareness of and appreciation for the severity of the climate emergency, with Insight contributing news and views from faith-based climate organizations such as United Methodist Creation Justice Movement.
Juneteenth
Juneteenth Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas; Source: The Portal to Texas History Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
More good news on racial reckoning
Juneteenth – an observance that originally marked the arrival in Texas of news that slaves had been freed – is now a legal public holiday by vote of the U.S. Senate. The event is unofficially celebrated in some 40 of 50 states already, so the Senate action follows public support for a date to recall the end of chattel slavery in the United States.
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Juneteenth, the General Commission on Religion and Race has informative background along with six ways for white people to mark the holiday without offending their Black neighbors. In addition, Discipleship Ministries has worship resources for Juneteenth.
Along with celebrating history, the General Board of Church and Society tackles the thorny current issue of reparations to Black people for their ancestors’ unpaid labor in building the United States. A three-session webinar begins at1 p.m. EDT on June 17 via Zoom, followed by sessions on June 14 and July 19. Register here.
Media Mentions as of June 16, 2021
'We're called to love': LGBTQ pride banners stolen from Scottsdale church – AZCentral.com
Scottsdale church moves forward after stolen gay pride flags – AZFamily
Pandemic seals decision to close church – Northern Virginia Daily
Memorial service planned for minister who led downtown church during OKC bombing – Oklahoman.com
NIH director: We asked God for help with COVID-19, and vaccines are the 'answer to that prayer' – Religion News Service
Liberia: Ministry of Education, Methodist Church Remain Mum on Expulsion of Teenager – Front Page Africa
Highland Park United Methodist lands a rare $225000 piano – The Dallas Morning News
Victims of Pulse nightclub massacre remembered 5 years later – ABC News
Florida governor signs bill requiring moment for school prayer – The Associated Press
Charleston, S.C., church to honor victims with forum on healing – NBC News
Hungary’s parliament passes anti-LGBT law ahead of 2022 election – Reuters*
Why the Supreme Court may be poised to deliver the religious right a big victory – FiveThirtyEight
Just because you believe the Bible ‘says it’ doesn’t ‘settle it’ – Baptist News Global
SBC fight symbolizes the mean-spirited religious impulses of the nation, BNG panelist suggests
– Baptist News Global
Melissa Rogers: America’s faith traditions can unify and heal wounds – Baptist News Global
*Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.