A United Methodist Insight Column
The most heartbreaking video I've seen this week is that of 11-year-old Miah Cerrillo testifying to Congress about how she smeared herself with her classmate's blood as she played dead, hoping the gunman who shot up her fourth-grade classroom at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, wouldn't come back and kill her.
Thankfully, Miah's quick wits enabled her physically to survive the assault on her school, but she will be forever scarred psychologically and spiritually by the massacre. Consider this excerpt from Eugene Robinson's June 9 column for The Washington Post:
"Roy Guerrero, Uvalde’s only pediatrician, told the House committee of going to the hospital and seeing the remains of youngsters who had been slain. 'Two children, whose bodies had been pulverized by the bullets fired at them, decapitated, whose flesh had ripped apart, that the only clue as to their identities were the blood-spattered cartoon clothes still clinging to them,' Guerrero said."
Why are our children being slaughtered and scarred in this horrifying fashion? What is wrong with us that we can't see our complicity in the murders of the Uvalde victims and all those around the United States who are dying every day from gun violence?
Until we can come to terms with these ethical questions, here are some actions taken and recommended by United Methodists and other Christians in response to the Uvalde massacre. See also two columns this week: "Who's Next? It Could Be You or Me" by Alberta Farnsworth and "Yes, There is a Way Out of Our National Gun Violence Epidemic" by Paul Robertson.
From the Greater Northwest Area newsletter:
"KATU News caught up with Karlene Clark at Wesley UMC in Eugene, Oregon, as they set up a display of empty chairs in front of the church as a memorial to the innocent children who died in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24. Churches across the GNW Area, including The United Methodist Church of Sitka, Alaska, and Coupeville UMC in Washington, have been holding similar memorials this week while calling on elected leaders to take action to prevent gun violence. Watch the KATU News story."
From the National Council of Churches newsletter:
"WAYS TO HELP UVALDE FROM REV. DR. MARSH, ST PHILIP’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
"While large amounts of money are being collected through various organizations and foundations it is not yet being released and some families need financial assistance now. St. Philip’s is collecting monetary donations to assist with those immediate financial needs. Here’s how churches can help: Online Giving https://stphilipsuvalde.breezechms.com/give/online
"Use the dropdown arrow on the right to designate that you would like your donation to go to 'Robb/Uvalde Outreach Fund' Text Giving Text the amount and 'Uvalde' to 830-240-2070 For example: text '$50 Uvalde' – please be sure to include the notation of 'Uvalde' after the amount. Giving by Mail: Make checks payable to 'St. Philip’s Episcopal Church' with a notation of 'Robb/Uvalde Outreach,' and mail to: St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 343 North Getty, Uvalde, TX 78801
"Purchase Gift Cards Purchase a $100 or $50 Visa or Amex gift card and mail it to St. Philip’s at the address above."
Dundee United Methodist Church plans assembly in response to mass shootings – Lakeland Ledger
Help for prolonged grief disorder
Next Avenue, an online journal for senior adults, offers an article, Prolonged Grief Disorder: When Grief Doesn't Go Away, on a new diagnosis of unrelenting grief. I suspect that personal loss is being compounded by the many crises affecting the world today. From the article:
"Prolonged grief disorder impacts approximately 7 - 10% of all bereaved persons. It can be comforting to know that other people have struggled in the same way and that you are not the only one suffering so terribly. It is validating for family and friends to know that it is a disorder and that you just can't 'snap out of it.'"
As shown in John W. Coleman's recent article about grief recovery in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, churches can play a role in helping people get over grief, even when they're seeing a psychological therapist as well. The griefs of the world weigh heavily on all of these days, and the more we can help one another, the better we'll all be. Sounds like a perfect ministry for a congregation.
Discrimination? Kiss donations good-bye
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that 41% of Americans Say They Would Stop Supporting a Charity That Tolerates Discrimination. One-third of Americans would not donate to charities using culturally insensitive images and language, and 17 percent would not donate upon learning the charity’s board is not diverse. These latest statistics would seem to support The United Methodist Church's efforts at combatting racism and working toward inclusion of all people in church and society.
GCFA to hold “Church Tech Talk" webinar
We don't often connect the loss of computer data to a crisis, but imagine what would happen if your church's membership lists and financial records were taken "hostage" by a form of computer virus known as "ransomware." The General Council on Finance and Administration's UMC Support unit will hold a webinar, "Tools to Protect Your Ministry in the Digital Age" on June 15, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. CDT. The online program will define ransomware, how it can affect your church's ministry, and how to keep your data safe and secure. Register.
Media Mentions as of June 9, 2022
United Methodist walk in Akron takes aim at violence, encourages action on gun laws – Akron Beacon Journal
Mennonite Church USA passes resolution committing to LGBTQ inclusion – Religion News Service
Mt. Bethel Church to keep property, pay $13.1M in settlement - East Cobb News
Large metro Atlanta church agrees to pay $13.1M to leave United Methodist conference – Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mt. Bethel, North Ga. Conference file settlement documents - East Cobb News
The Wesley Center ends its century-long affiliation with the United Methodist Church – Little Village Magazine
Methodists meet as some churches ask to separate from denomination - Lakeland Ledger
Methodist leaders say 'rebellion and dysfunction' over LGBT issues splitting denomination – Fox News
Two Johnson City church members biking for Ukraine - WCYB
'A great need': Southeast Ohio food pantries work to meet new demand amid inflation – Coshocton Tribune
Methodists ask Arkansas' congressional delegation to back tougher gun laws – The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church to self-appoint LGBTQ pastors after bishop denies request – Dallas Morning News
Collister United Methodist Church offers land to create affordable housing - YouTube
St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Orangeburg giving away free books, treats to children – WLTX-TV
21 chairs: Lowell United Methodist Church memorializes Uvalde shooting victims - FOX 17
Christian leaders press lawmakers to extend child tax credit - The Washington Post
Supreme Court decisions on abortion, gun control and religion likely to come soon | KOSU
Local gay man must leave home to become a pastor in the United Methodist Church – YouTube
UMC pastor files lawsuit after being accused of 'practicing homosexuality' - Fox 29
Sterling church builds more than 500 crosses in support of Ukraine - WQAD
Vestal United Methodist Church hosts free dinner in honor of first responders - WBNG
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email for permission.