| #DOCjustsummer begins Posted: 10 Jun 2020 12:01 PM PDT Introducing #DOCjustsummer
Long before the protests and other events of recent weeks, groups of Disciples have banded together to do the work of justice. This summer, each issue of Disciples News Service will feature one of our many justice-oriented ministries and invite you to learn more about them. We hope you will find a place to put your passion to work! It's not too late to sign up for the June 20 Poor People's Campaign digital march.
An added bonus for this effort is that our Disciples Peace Fellowship interns, while not able to travel to camps due to the COVID-19 cancellations, will be helping us see these ministries through fresh eyes.
| | Refugee and Immigration Ministries | | by Wendy Davidson, 2020 Disciples Peace Fellowship intern
The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that God demands that we rescue those being unfairly compensated, that we do no harm to the foreigner, orphan, or widow, and that we put no innocent lives at risk. Particularly during this time of COVID-19 crisis, refugees and immigrants are many of the unfairly compensated, innocent foreigners whose lives are at risk. Particularly during this time of COVID-19 crisis, we who are faithful must do what we can to answer Jeremiah’s call.
Both the Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries (working more domestically) and Week of Compassion (working both domestically and globally) minister in partnership with those who know best their own needs, learning and growing with and from others, in order to respond to Jeremiah’s call to do this good and just work. And there’s a lot of good and just work that still needs doing.
Week of Compassion works alongside Church World Service and other global partners to help those living in refugee camps to attain water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), which have only become more important during the time of pandemic. With so many people living in close proximity, social distancing is often not possible, elevating the importance of clean water and soap for handwashing, needs that (along with food security) Week of Compassion has prioritized during the COVID-19.
Domestically, many refugees and immigrants work at meat packing plants or as farm workers, who have repeatedly expressed that “we’re scared” but “we’re expected to keep going,” oftentimes without appropriate PPE. Agricultural workers have experienced significant outbreaks, and some of the very worst outbreaks in the US have occurred at meatpacking plants. These workers, essential to the food supply chain in the US, have voiced their concerns and have yet to be heard. | | Invitation to join in prayer
Holy God, the beauty of creation in the region of Virginia calls out in praise. From mountains to the Atlantic shore, your people minister to their communities, bringing wholeness from fragmentation through the power of your Spirit. We thank you for the propinquity and gifts that they share with the whole Church. | | | | You are invited, Disciples!
According to the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, before the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 700 people were dying every day in the U.S. because of the crisis of poverty. And because of this nation’s high tolerance for these deaths, the national response to this pandemic has only further exposed the country’s distorted morality.
You can join the Mass (Digital) Assembly on Saturday, June 20, and speak up. General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens will be on the program. It will be broadcast on MSNBC. | | | Hurricane season in a time of COVID-19
From Week of Compassion
Summer brings the threat of tropical storms, in addition to the continued possibility of floods, tornadoes, and fires. Last week, the NOAA released their forecast for an active, likely above-average, Atlantic hurricane season. Taking action to be prepared for natural disasters is more important than ever given the complications posed by COVID-19. In addition to basic preparations the CDC offers a few additional suggestions, including: - Evaluate your disaster plan in light of social distancing, especially if your plan involves individuals at increased risk from COVID-19.
- Check local guidance for information about evacuation orders and public shelter options. Evacuation instructions may be different than for past storms due to social distancing needs.
- Include items like hand sanitizer, masks, and soap in your emergency supply kit or go bag.
- Be aware of your emotional and mental health, as the stress of a potential storm compounds the stress of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, it’s also important that church leaders consider congregational disaster plans. General preparedness information, including the full Congregational Guide and “10 Steps to Become a More Prepared Congregation,” is available on the Week of Compassion website. Like families and individuals, congregations should also make some specific considerations for the COVID-19 context. Here are a few things to think about in regards to member care and disaster response: - Where are your members likely to evacuate? What members might need assistance evacuating, especially considering changes to public transportation or limited contact with friends and family members?
- What members have heightened emotional or mental health needs?
- What will need assistance gathering additional supplies to shelter-in-place for a storm?
- How will you incorporate social distancing and safety measures in your response plan?
- If your plan includes use of your building or communal spaces, how will you ensure social distancing? Can activities be relocated to an outdoor setting?
- If your plan includes distribution of food or donated materials, how will you protect volunteers and recipients? Do you have the necessary supplies to do so?
- If your plan involves volunteers, will you require temperature checks, health screenings, masks, or other protective equipment?
- How will you communicate changes to your plan to local emergency and health officials, to members, and to neighbors you would serve?
In taking these steps to plan ahead, congregations can prepare to weather the storm, and be ready to serve their neighbors-- even in the midst of the additional challenges of this season. | | | | COVID-19 resources available
The Office of the General Minister and President has compiled a collection of resources and statements from Church leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are updating this page with more resources as available.
| | General Minister and President offers census reminder
In the midst of all we're doing to respond to COVID-19, General Minister and President Rev. Teresa Hord Owens reminds us that 2020 is a Census year in the United States. Click on the logo to the right to see her video message. Future planning by governments, nonprofits and others for emergencies is directly affected by the numbers from this census. Fill out the quick form at 2020census.gov to make a difference for your community for the next 10 years! | | | | Celebrating and demonstrating Pride, AllianceQ presents a month of liturgical resources that embody the all-inclusive, just love of Jesus with God’s power and peace. A new worship element and resource for use and distribution will be added each week of Pride Month concluding with a live-streamed Pride Worship Service featuring Disciples LGBTQ+ leaders from across the United States and Canada. Join AllianceQ on Sunday, June 28, at 6 p.m. CST, for the Pride service and after-party titled RIOT: Turning Over Tables.
We remember together that Pride is rooted in the bold resistance of trans women of color at Stonewall in 1969. Together, we will name our history by confessing the ways in which Pride has been too often co-opted by white voices; by celebrating leaders like Marsha P. Johnson and centering LGBTQIA+ voices of color; and by considering together the ways in which God’s spirit is inviting us to turn over all tables of injustice as we make our way to our seat at Christ’s table. All event info and free REGISTRATION at this link.
AllianceQ is among LGBTQ organizations uniting to combat racial violence. Read statements here in our June newsletter. We are deeply grateful for the colorful voices of Marian Edmonds-Allen, Cameron Van Kooten Laughead, Alysha Laperche, Sophia Hayes-Jackson, Andrew Deeb, Melissa Guthrie Loy, YaNi Davis, Luther Young, Revdo Chaim Rodríguez, and Allen V. Harris who contributed to Colors of Hope in the last two months. Nine podcasts and creative spiritual practices are a part of the Colors of Hope Series which you can find here: http://disciplesallianceq.org/colors-of-hope/. A compilation of the series with supplemental resources for use in your ministry or group will be available in the fall of 2020. Contact Executive Director + Minister Melissa Guthrie Loy for more information or to be connected with a regional open & affirming ministry team in your area. | | Additional resources
All the colors of the rainbow are featured in this Rainbow Podcast as we close our Colors of Hope series. Hoping in color, we invite you to join the Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in ongoing work to be actively anti-racist. See color. Embrace color. In words + action. | | | | Bring the world to your church!
As we continue to worship with care, there are many ways to bring the world to you congregation!
- to preach in a Sunday service
- to share in gatherings during the week
- to lead a Sunday school classes
Looking for engaging Sunday school ideas? Consider planning four Sundays of live presentations, pre-recorded presentations, or a mixture of both. Have an exciting month of learning about God’s work in the world!
Mission co-workers who have served in places like Kenya, the Dominican Republic, East Timor, and Greece are available. For questions or to invite someone to share their story, please contact Cathy Nichols. | | Additional resources and opportunities
| | | | More opportunities to put ministry into action
| | | | | | | | | |  |
0 comments:
Post a Comment