Valuing Life
A United Methodist Insight Column
Some encouraging news starts this issue of "Crisis Watch." In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of the right to abortion in Dobbs vs. Jackson Health Clinic, our colleagues at Ask the UMC have prepared a 7-part series, "Valuing Life," which explores United Methodist theological stances on life from beginning to end.
The first two segments are "Valuing Life Part 1: Before we are born — Maternal and neonatal health" and "Valuing Life Part 2: When care cannot be sustained — Abortion and adoption." Coming segments are:
- Growing Up: Child welfare
- Staying Alive: Healthcare for all
- Feeling Alive: Mental health
- Threat to Life: Suicide, euthanasia, capital punishment
- Dying Well: Care for the dying and grieving
The series weaves together a comprehensive look at United Methodists' official life-centered ethic with real-life examples of how the church embodies its theological stances. The series looks to be a valuable resource for local church education.
Religious Divisions Abortion
Pew Research Center Graphic
Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove abortion ruling
Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center issued a report this week, "Majority of Public Disapproves of Supreme Court’s Decision To Overturn Roe v. Wade." The survey found that "62% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, little changed since before the court’s decision."
United States causing international climate damage
The Guardian reports: "Nearly $2tn of damage inflicted on other countries by US emissions," a sobering report in light of another Supreme Court decision to strip the Environmental Protection agency of its authority to regular climate-scorching carbon emissions. The Guardian reports
"The US has inflicted more than $1.9tn in damage to other countries from the effects of its greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new analysis that has provided the first measurement of nations’ liability in stoking the climate crisis.
"The huge volume of planet-heating gases pumped out by the US, the largest historical emitter, has caused such harm to other, mostly poor, countries through heatwaves, crop failures and other consequences that the US is responsible for $1.91tn in lost global income since 1990, the study found."
This research underscores the importance of a new hub for creation care resources set up by the ecumenical Creation Justice Ministries. According to its announcement, "This redesign allows you to more easily find the resources you need to equip your congregation for action on climate and creation justice. Easily locate resources by issue, season or event, or content type."
Creation Justice Ministries also has made it easier to download resources by streamlining its contact information process. Now it only requires one sign-in to download everything a church may want in the way of climate information.
Creation Justice Resources
These resources are featured on a new online hub from ecumenical Creation Justice Ministries. (UM Insight Screenshot)
Building climate resilience
Creation Justice Ministries will sponsor a webinar, Building Community Climate Resilience: The Role of Faith Communities in Addressing Natural Hazards, at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 21. Dr. Dawn Baldwin Gibson and Dr. Christy Miller Hesed will speak on how a faith community can collaborate with others to build resilience as the local, regional and statewide effects of the climate crisis continue to worsen. Register.
Speaking of climate change effects, the Arkansas Annual Conference reports that the state's southwest region received 8-10 inches of rain in only 2 hours July 10. "There was widespread flooding in the Smackover, El Dorado, and Norplet areas," the conference said. "Sheri Mathews, Volunteers in Mission and Disaster Response Coordinator, took a truckload of cleaning buckets to El Dorado and Norplet. The community and local churches have done an excellent job of working together to make sure everyone has what they need."
One more note: Bob Smietana of Religion News Service reports "Presbyterians to divest from 5 oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, after years of debate." A summary says, "Presbyterians have long had ties to the oil industry, as have many other faith groups in the United States. Leaders see this year’s vote as a sign that addressing climate change is gaining momentum."
For a different perspective, see an excellent analysis by Steven Mufson of the Washington Post, Republicans threaten Wall Street over climate positions. Among the investment advisers being pressured by the GOP is JP Morgan Chase, which advises the United Methodist pension and benefits agency, Wespath, on its investments. Mufson's article refers to ESGs -- environmental- social-governance – goals that form part of Wespath's Sustainable Economy Framework for its investment strategy.
Coronavirus resurges, allows more 'superbugs'
Just as many United Methodist congregations are easing their coronavirus protocols, the World Health Organization warns that the pandemic has caused a surge in infections from "superbugs."
"Superbugs" are germs that are resistant to drugs, says the Washington Post's "The 7" newsletter. It quotes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "In 2020, infections and deaths caused by these bugs in hospitals increased about 15%. The trend "reverses years of progress fighting one of the most serious challenges in modern medicine."
Meanwhile, the Biden Administration has cautioned Americans to take more precautions to avoid the BA.5 omicron subvariant that is now the dominant coronavirus version in the United States. The surge also is driving an increase in reinfections and hospitalizations, reports National Public Radio. "While it's more infectious and can get around prior immunity, there's no evidence that it causes more serious illness," says NPR.
Media Mentions as of July 13, 2022
Lakewood United Methodist Church repeatedly vandalized | FOX31 Denver – KDVR
Goshen community members help one another pick up damage after tornado - YouTube
First United Methodist Church in Milledgeville bringing youth together to give back – 41NBC News
Attitudes about transgender issues vary widely among Christians, religious 'nones' in U.S. – Pew Research Center
Display at Kansas City church defaced with anti-LGBTQ message - NY Daily News
Faith leaders attend White House celebration of gun control law - Religion News Service
Perry United Methodist Church is building a mobile clinic to send to Africa - YouTube
Putting faith into action: 38 Geneva Methodists rehab low-income West Virginia homes – Daily Herald
UMC to oppose same-sex marriage - The New Dawn Liberia
Liberia: UMC to Oppose Same-Sex Marriage - allAfrica.com
Congregants Gather To Bid Farewell To A Beloved Tree At Bridgehampton Church, Due To Be Felled – 27East
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email Insight for permission.