Duncanville food ministry
DUNCANVILLE, Texas – The Open Table Ministry at First UMC Duncanville, a suburb southwest of Dallas has served countless meals every Saturday night for nine years. Its tables have always been open to anyone interested in a good meal and a little fellowship. COVID-19 has kept the ministry from serving meals in the dining hall, but it hasn’t caused any disruption in distribution. Instead, curbside service and take-out style has become the new normal – with volunteers going car to car to deliver food and groceries. “Yes, we have seen more people and more families, and we are blessed to serve them all,” said Alisha Vance of First UMC Duncanville. “We look forward to seeing everyone each week, knowing all continue to be well and safe in these most difficult days. It gives those who serve great joy to share Christ's love with these meals, while bringing a smile and a relaxed meal to anyone who wants or needs it.” (Photo and text courtesy of North Texas Conference Communications)
While we’re struggling through the coronavirus pandemic, there’s another virus abroad among humans that has been a scourge for more than three decades: human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, the retrovirus that causes AIDS.
Many United Methodists may be unaware that the denomination has been involved in ministry with and for people with HIV/AIDS for some 20 years, first through the General Board of Global Ministries and then church-wide with General Conference's establishment of the Global AIDS Committee in 2004. The ministry has sought to help stem the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic through education and advocacy that in turn eases the suffering of people living with the virus and the illness it causes.
The current United Methodist Global AIDS Committee includes representatives from the Council of Bishops, Division on Ministries with Young People, General Board of Church and Society, General Board of Global Ministries, United Methodist Communications and United Methodist Women. Bishop Julius C. Trimble of Indiana chairs the committee.
The committee will kick off a series of webinars Oct. 1 with a combined topic, “COVID-19 and HIV & AIDS." The first in a series of webinars will be held at 1 p.m. CDT and made available free of charge on the committee’s social media page, Facebook.com/UMCglobalaidsfund .
According to a press release, “the inaugural webinar will explore how COVID-19 is impacting the global effort to reduce HIV infections and AIDS deaths. Participants will come to better understand how global lockdowns have resulted in malnutrition, missed treatments, and lack of access to preventive medicine and testing.”
The Rev. Dr. Donald Messer, executive director of the Center for Health and Hope in Centennial, Colo., and a member of the AIDS ministry’s executive committee, will moderate the panel. Dr. Messer has devoted himself to ministry with and for people with HIV/AIDS since his retirement as president of UMC-related Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He has traveled the world to gain firsthand knowledge of how countries outside the United States, especially in Asia and Africa, are caring for people with HIV/AIDS.
The panelists include:
Kathleen Griffith – Atlanta, Ga., Interim Lead, Global Health, UM General Board of Global Ministries, & member of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee.
Bishop Catherine Mutua – Meru, Kenya, first woman bishop in Kenya; supervises extensive AIDS ministry and COVID-19 response as episcopal leader of the Kaaga Synod of The Methodist Church of Kenya.
Rev. Dr. Neki A. Soriano – Santiago City, Philippines, medical specialist, Southern Isabel General Hospital & Program Coordinator for Davao United Methodist Episcopal Area Health Board focused on HIV and COVID-19.
Jerry Mallicoat – Dayton, OH, Public health educator and project manager for LGBTQ Heath Initiatives at Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County; survivor of HIV and suspected early COVID-19.
Subsequent free webinars will be held Dec. 1, 2020 and Feb. 1, April 1 and June 1 of 2021.
Another somber coronavirus milestone
From NPR: “The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has eclipsed 1 million, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University. The sobering milestone was reached just nine months after the first reported fatality in China last January. Public health experts believe the actual toll — the recorded deaths plus the unrecorded deaths — is much higher.”
See the photo above for how one local congregation has adapted its food ministry to continue despite coronavirus restrictions.
Media Mentions as of Sept. 28
Coronavirus pandemic on the brink of a grim new milestone: 1 million dead – The Washington Post*
Prayer march draws thousands to the Mall seeking healing for the nation – The Washington Post *
1963 church bombing survivor seeks apology, restitution – The Associated Press
New Cape pastor finding 'hope' during coronavirus – Southeast Missourian
Houston Church Steps Up to Help Black-Owned Food Truck Vendors Stay Afloat During COVID: 'If ... – Atlanta Black Star
*Paid subscription required.
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.