AN OPEN LETTER FROM LYNC TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

March 26, 2020 – Media Contact: Ann Craig, Media Consultant 917-280-2968 craignewyork@gmail.com

AN OPEN LETTER FROM LYNC TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Beloved, as we grapple with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Love Your Neighbor Coalition calls on United Methodists and people everywhere to pick up the mantle of justice and speak out against oppression in all forms but especially the oppression of the most
marginalized and at-risk in our world.

The outcomes of this pandemic will be far-reaching, and now more than ever we must find ways to change the ways we show up to speak out and rise in solidarity with those most at risk. Political statements which call Covid 19 the “Chinese virus” spread racism. Civic leaders who suggest that “grandparents” should sacrifice their lives for the economy put us all at risk. And, when in our denomination, we obsess on protecting our institutions while tolerating entrenched bigotry, we mirror society rather than provide a witness.

As United Methodists, our witness is global. Injustice is a plague and we can already see the outcome. Soap is hard to find in Uganda and hand sanitizer is being price gouged. The Philippines is being hard hit. Onsets in Europe are surging. Palestinians are trapped in walled sectors such as Gaza where high concentrations of people make isolation impossible. Refugees
in Syria, Turkey, the US-Mexican border and across the world have no place to turn. Children are still in cages and the massive incarceration of African descent and Latinx people in the US turns prisons into concentration camps with dire results. Always, those on the margins are hit
hard.

The postponement of the UMC General Conference not only impacts LGBTQIA people who will have to live under the harmful policies of the Traditional Plan, but it puts at high risk all vulnerable communities who rely upon denominational funding for their work and witness.

The United Methodist Church is gifted with a global network. We are united in Christ, even as we note and sometimes appreciate our differences. This crisis requires that we work together.

We urge the entire United Methodist Church to take action. Here are some ideas:

Action 1: Use the Wesleyan class system to cluster your members in online groups to support each other, pray for each other, read the news together, and organize for possible actions.

Action 2: Write to your bishop and conference BOOM to urge them to announce a moratorium on trials against LGBTQIA people and allies.

Action 3: Organize letter writing campaigns, op-eds, and social media actions when you see harm being done and “someone should say something.”

Action 4: Give to and engage with groups that are implementing advocacy and service in this era of lockdown. To this end, LYNC will give a donation to UMCOR as it addresses the pandemic and ongoing global emergencies. Join us in supporting UMCOR by following this link
https://www.umcmission.org/umcor/give

Action 5 : Send notes to clergy member friends thanking them for leading us in new and different ways of being church and supporting those who are most vulnerable.

Action 6: Share additional ideas with LYNC on how to be proactive in challenging oppression and supporting vulnerable populations while staying healthy.

The Love Your Neighbor Coalition is a partnership of 14 United Methodist Church related Caucus groups working for a just, inclusive and grace-filled denomination. For generations, member groups have named God’s grace for all of God’s children and cried out for justice. We call on the denomination to end harm in every place where the Gospel of love is preached. We commit to love each other and stay in relationship with the global Body of Christ

MEMBER GROUPS
Affirmation United Methodists
Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR)
Fossil Free UMC
MARCHA: Metodistas Asociados Representando la Causa Hispano-Americanos
Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA)
Methodists in New Directions (MIND)
National Federation of Asian American United Methodists (NFAAUM)
Native American International Caucus (NAIC)
Pacific Islanders Caucus of United Methodists (PINCUM)
Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN)
United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities
United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR)
United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus
Western Methodist Justice Movement (WMJM)

Cuarentena en Cuaresma / Quarentena na Quaresma

Coronavirus in China. Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), people in white medical face mask. Concept of coronavirus quarantine vector illustration. Seamless pattern.

 ¿Quién nos podrá separar del amor de Cristo?

¿El sufrimiento, o las dificultades, o la persecución, o el hambre,

o la falta de ropa, o el peligro, o la muerte violenta?

Como dice la Escritura:

«Por causa tuya estamos siempre expuestos a la muerte;

nos tratan como a ovejas llevadas al matadero.»

Pero en todo esto salimos más que vencedores

por medio de aquel que nos amó. Romanos 8:35-37

 El pueblo de Dios es un pueblo llamado a nutrir y cuidar de la familia de la fe, a ser solidario con los enfermos, desamparados y oprimidos. Es por eso que en este momento de distanciamiento físico y cuarentena en cuaresma, nosotros somos a quienes Dios llama para que sirvamos de ejemplo e inspiración para que los demás sigan.

Por lo tanto, durante esta situación de epidemia global debido al virus corona (COVID-19), el distanciamiento físico es una de las maneras en que nosotros expresamos nuestro llamado a nutrir y servir. Al seguir las directrices de nuestros líderes episcopales, líderes de gobierno y agencias de salud, nosotros estamos demostrando nuestro amor por nuestra familia y nuestro prójimo.

Sigamos el llamado a mantener las reglas simples de las sociedades metodistas: no hacer daño a nadie, hacer todo el bien que podamos, y mantener una relación de amor con Dios.

Por lo tanto, MARCHA hace las siguientes recomendaciones para estos tiempos desafiantes que vivimos:

1.      Quédese en su casa. No asista a reuniones. Si esto no es posible, favor siga las precauciones de salubridad que las autoridades de la salud han emitido.

2.      Manténgase informado/a. MARCHA recomienda encarecidamente que todos los ministerios Hispanos/Latinos sigan las instrucciones dadas por nuestro liderato conferencial y líderes del gobierno local, estatal, y federal.

3.      Siga métodos de higiene aprobados y recomendados por personal médico y trabajadores de la salud. Para mayor información visite el siguiente enlace: https://1a547338-7585-4381-a0fd-e4a669b91496.usrfiles.com/ugd/c26f89_e5b123730fa14b2288c610b64d05017d.pdf

4.      Si usted tiene síntomas de la gripe, no tenga temor de ir al hospital, o a los lugares designados por las autoridades de la salud para que lo examinen. Toda persona, con o sin documentos, tienen que ser atendidos por el personal del hospital.

5.      Mantener distancia física entre la gente (por ejemplo: quedándose en su casa) es un método probado para disminuir la propagación del virus corona (COVID-19). Esta es otra de las maneras en que cuidamos a los miembros de nuestras comunidades que son más vulnerables (personas de 60 años en adelante, y personas con un sistema inmunológico débil).

6.      Nuestra tradición wesleyana nos invita a usar la Escritura, la razón, la tradición, y la experiencia cuando tomamos decisiones que puedan impactar adversamente nuestras comunidades. Esto incluye seguir las directrices de la conferencia anual en cuanto cómo celebramos los sacramentos durante este tiempo. Esto se aplica tanto a nuestr@s pastores/as así como al laicado. Todos debemos hacer uso del sentido común y las mejores prácticas que nos ayuden a mantener a nuestras comunidades saludables.

Estas son algunas guías prácticas que podemos poner en práctica que fueron compartidas por el Obispo Bickerton de la Conferencia Anual de Nueva York:

1. Identifique a las personas más vulnerables de su iglesia y en su comunidad. Esto incluye a personas con limitaciones físicas o discapacidades, personas con problemas emocionales, personas en la familia que cuidan a personas vulnerables, personas con acceso limitado a transporte.

2. Establezca un equipo de cuidado. Manténganse en contacto por teléfono con personas o familiares en su congregación para determinar sus necesidades y mantener un banco de información sobre estas personas en caso que necesiten ayuda.

3. Identifique a personas en su congregación que tengan experiencia cuidando a personas: enfermeras/os, enfermeras/os asistentes y otro personal de la salud, así como personas que tengan experiencia con cuidado pastoral, como por ejemplo los que participan del Ministerio de Esteban (Stephen Ministry).

4. Identifique a personas que puedan proveer transporte a personas que necesiten ir a sus doctores, recoger prescripciones y proveer cualquier tipo de ayuda de urgencia.

5. Establezca relación con funcionarios públicos. El pastor u otros líderes de la iglesia deben conectarse con la policía y la agencia que maneja las emergencias (Office of Emergency Management-OEM). La iglesia necesita ser parte de este grupo.

6. Establezca o reanude sus contactos con la alcaldía, la policía, el cuerpo de bomberos y los medios de comunicación para mantenerse al tanto de lo que está sucediendo y cómo puede su congregación ayudar.

7. Ayude a su congregación a mantenerse conectados durante este tiempo de aislamiento. Utilice el internet, las redes sociales y cualquier otro mecanismo que ayude a su gente a no sentirse tan aislada. Si es posible, provea ideas para actividades familiares y para los niños y utilice sus recursos para ayudar a su comunidad.

Nos mantendremos en oración y en conexión en favor de nuestras comunidades y ministerios. Para mas informacion visite el https://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html.

Quarantine in Lent

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35-37).

We are the people called to nurture and care for those whom God’s love. At this moment of pandemic due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), social distancing is one way this care is made evident in the way we follow the clear rules of social distancing from our episcopal leaders, government and health officials.

In the Wesleyan tradition, and in keeping with the Methodist’s societies three simple rules, we are called to do no harm, do all the good you can, and stay in love with God. Therefore, in keeping with our tradition, MARCHA would like to make the following recommendations to our people in every Latino ministry in the connection, as we confront the threat of the Coronavirus:

  1. Stay home. Do not gather. If this is not possible, please observe the precautions that health officials have implemented.
  2. Stay Informed. MARCHA strongly urges every congregation to follow the instructions given by your conference leadership and civic officials.
  3. Follow proven hygiene methods recommended by medical and health officials. Open this link for more information: https://1a547338-7585-4381-a0fd-e4a669b91496.usrfiles.com/ugd/c26f89_e5b123730fa14b2288c610b64d05017d.pdf
  4. If you have symptoms, please do not be afraid to go to the hospital or to the places that have been assigned for screening. All persons regardless of documentation or status must be cared for by hospital officials.
  5. Social distancing is a proven way to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and is effective in making sure we care for the most vulnerable in our communities, who are people over 60 and those whose immune systems are compromised.
  6. Our Wesleyan understanding invites us to use Scripture, Reason, Tradition and Experience when making decisions that impact our respective communities. This is true for both our laity and our clergy. Everyone must practice good common sense and best health practices.

These are some practical guidelines, which were shared by Bishop Bickerton from the New York Annual Conference:

  1. Identify the most vulnerable persons within your church membership and extended church community. This includes persons with physical limitations or disabilities, emotional needs, family members who are caring for vulnerable persons, persons with limited access to transportation, etc.
  2. Establish a “Care Team.” Reach out by phone to contact individuals or families of your congregation(s) to determine their needs and maintain a database of information about these persons in case they need help.
  3. Identify experienced caregivers within your congregations: nurses, nursing assistants and other medical professionals, as well as persons trained in “pastoral-care” type ministries, such as Stephen Ministers.
  4. Identify people who are able to provide transportation to those that need to go to medical appointments, pick up prescriptions, or provide other reasonable emergency-type services.
  5. Establish a connection with local officials. Pastors and other qualified church leaders should reach out to their local Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The Church needs to be a part of this group.
  6. Establish or renew connections with local officials in your area (mayor, police & fire chiefs, media professionals), to stay informed about what is happening and how your congregation can help.

We will keep in prayer and stay connected to assist our communities and ministries. For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html.

Quarentena na Quaresma

Quem nos separará do amor de Cristo? A tribulação, ou a angústia,

ou a perseguição, ou a fome, ou a nudez, ou o perigo, ou a espada? 

Como está escrito: Por amor de ti somos entregues à morte todo o dia:

fomos reputados como ovelhas para o matadouro.

Mas em todas estas coisas somos mais do que vencedores,

por aquele que nos amou. Romanos 8:35-37

O povo de Deus é um povo chamado a nutrir e cuidar da família da fé, a ser solidário com os doentes, desamparados e oprimidos. É por isso que, neste momento de distância física e quarentena na Quaresma, somos aqueles a quem Deus chama para servir como exemplo e inspiração para os outros seguirem.

Portanto, durante essa situação epidêmica global devido ao vírus corona (COVID-19), o distanciamento físico é uma das maneiras pelas quais expressamos nosso chamado para nutrir e servir. Seguindo as diretrizes de nossos líderes episcopais, líderes governamentais e agências de saúde, estamos demonstrando nosso amor por nossa família e nosso próximo.

Vamos seguir o chamado para manter as regras simples das sociedades metodistas: não prejudicar ninguém, fazer todo o bem que pudermos e manter um relacionamento amoroso com Deus.

Portanto, para este tempo desafiante que estamos vivendo MARCHA faz as seguintes recomendações:

1. Fique em casa. Não participe de reuniões. Se isso não for possível, siga as precauções de saúde emitidas pelas autoridades de saúde.

2. Mantenha-se informado(a).  MARCHA recomenda enfaticamente que todos os ministérios hispânicos / latinos sigam as instruções dadas pela liderança da conferência e pelos líderes do governo local, estadual e federal.

3. Siga os métodos de higiene aprovados e recomendados pelo pessoal médico e profissional de saúde. Para obter mais informações, visite o seguinte link: https://1a547338-7585-4381-a0fd-e4a669b91496.usrfiles.com/ugd/c26f89_e5b123730fa14b2288c610b64d05017d.pdf

4. Se você tiver sintomas da gripe, não tenha medo de ir ao hospital ou aos locais designados pelas autoridades de saúde para exame. Toda pessoa, com ou sem documentos, deve ser cuidada pela equipe do hospital.

5. Manter distância física entre as pessoas (por exemplo: ficar em casa) é um método comprovado para diminuir a propagação do vírus corona (COVID-19). Essa é outra das maneiras pelas quais cuidamos dos membros de nossas comunidades mais vulneráveis ​​(pessoas com 60 anos ou mais e pessoas com um sistema imunológico fraco).

6. Nossa tradição wesleyana nos convida a usar as Escrituras, a razão, a tradição e a experiência ao tomar decisões que podem afetar adversamente nossas comunidades. Isso inclui seguir as diretrizes da conferência anual ao celebrarmos os sacramentos durante esse período. Isso se aplica tanto aos pastores(as) quanto aos leigos(as). Todos nós precisamos usar o bom senso e as melhores práticas para ajudar a manter nossas comunidades saudáveis.

Aqui estão algumas guias práticas que podemos colocar em prática que foram compartilhados pelo Bishop Bickerton da Conferência Anual de Nova York:

1. Identifique as pessoas mais vulneráveis ​​na sua igreja e na sua comunidade. Isso inclui pessoas com limitações ou deficiências físicas, pessoas com problemas emocionais, pessoas da família cuidando de pessoas vulneráveis, pessoas com acesso limitado ao transporte.

2. Estabeleça uma equipe de atendimento. Mantenha contato por telefone com indivíduos ou familiares em sua congregação para determinar suas necessidades e manter um banco de informações sobre esses indivíduos, caso precisem de ajuda.

3. Identifique pessoas em sua congregação que tenham experiência em cuidar de pessoas: enfermeiras, auxiliares de enfermagem e outros profissionais de saúde, bem como pessoas que tenham experiência em cuidados pastorais, como as envolvidas no Ministério de Estevão (Stephen Ministry).

4. Identifique as pessoas que podem fornecer transporte para as pessoas que precisam ir ao médico, coletar prescrições e fornecer qualquer tipo de ajuda de emergência.

5. Estabelecer relações com funcionários públicos. O pastor(a) ou outros líderes da igreja devem se conectar com a polícia e o Escritório de Gerenciamento de Emergências (Office of Emergency Management-OEM). A igreja precisa fazer parte deste grupo.

6. Estabeleça ou retome seus contatos com o escritório do prefeito, a polícia, os bombeiros e a mídia para acompanhar o que está acontecendo e como sua congregação pode ajudar.

7. Ajude sua congregação a permanecer conectada durante esse período de isolamento. Use a internet, as mídias sociais e qualquer outro mecanismo para ajudar seu povo a não se sentir tão isolado. Se possível, forneça idéias para atividades familiares e crianças e use seus recursos para ajudar sua comunidade.

Permaneceremos em oração e conexão em favor de nossas comunidades e ministérios. Informação adicional, visite:  https://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html.

IESDG STATEMENT ON COVID-19 VIRUS AND XENOPHOBIA

A Statement from the Inter-Ethnic Strategic Development Group (IESDG), a coalition represented by the five racial ethnic caucuses of the United Methodist Church.

IESDG unequivocally denounce the disturbing and continual use of the term “China or Chinese Virus”, correctly known as the COVID-19 virus.  The term “China/Chinese Virus” is racially loaded and inaccurately depicts the global nature of the disease’s threat and the misuse of terms in effect targets and scapegoats several ethnic groups. We urge President Donald J. Trump and other public officials to discontinue the use of the term “China/Chinese Virus” so that misinformation and animosity will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity and sacred worth of every person and community.

The misinformation and the mislabeling of the COVID-19 continue to fuel anxiety, which in turn, escalates racists acts of xenophobia specifically against Asians, Asian-Americans and their communities. The COVID-19 virus and other pathogens do not discriminate between hosts based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status or others.  The origin of any virus could have occurred in any country regardless of race or ethnicity.

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus of the United States Congress stated in February 26, 2020, “The best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to wash your hands, not perpetuate racist stereotypes. We ask for your help in spreading this message, to help stem both the public health crisis and the deeply disturbing racism targeting the Asian American community.”

On Tuesday March 17th, 2020, Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that it was “absolutely wrong” for the Administration to label the 2019 novel coronavirus as the “China Virus.”  The World Health Organization named the disease COVID-19 to deter associating the virus with a geographical location or select group of people, ultimately lead to their public stigmatization. 

Since its inception in 1992, IESDG have endeavored to remain true to the charge, “to strategize toward the renewal of The United Methodist Church in recognition of the gifts of racial/ethnic minority persons and to advocate for justice ministries within the Church and the world,” among other things.

IESDG represents the five (5) national racial ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist Church:

  • Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR)
  • Methodist Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic/Latino American (MARCHA)
  • National Federation of Asian American United Methodists (NFAAUM)
  • Native American International Caucus (NAIC)
  • Pacific Islander National Caucus of United Methodists (PINCUM)
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