Statements

Submitted by Rev. Steven D. Martin, United Methodist Clergy, Director of Communications and Development, National Council of Churches

Most gracious God, we come to you with mixed emotions today.  While we are relieved that many are able to return to activities and gatherings that they love, we mourn the loss of nearly 100,000 precious lives to COVID-19.  While many are returning to worship services today, many are not because of the danger of contracting this disease. 
For those of us who live lives of privilege, breathe Your Spirit into us and show us what the poor already know, that each day is a gift from You and You alone.  For those of us who live on the razor’s edge each day, give us life and hope during this most uncertain of times.  

Be with us as we come together tonight to worship you and mourn the loss of so many lives during this pandemic.  It is in your holy and precious name we pray, Amen.

The National Council of Churches USA is urging churches to exercise extreme caution when deciding whether or not to open its doors for services Memorial Day weekend and in the near future. Churches have been reported to be a source of outbreaks of the coronavirus and opening prematurely could have deadly consequences.

Close contact of congregants and even congregational singing are ways the virus has been known to spread in churches. Asymptomatic carriers of the virus could also unknowingly spread it, particularly to the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Without enough testing or proven treatment for those who contract the disease, it does not seem wise or sensible for churches to re-open as if it is business as usual.  

“We have found new and creative ways to worship online and to meet virtually, said Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, NCC Chair and President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ. “It makes sense for churches to continue in this vein until we are confident it is safe for us to gather again in-person.”

NCC is particularly concerned about churches re-opening as a virtual memorial service is planned for Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. to remember those who have died from COVID-19. The service, “A Time to Mourn: An Ecumenical Memorial Service for the Lives Lost to COVID-19,” includes a broad spectrum of Christian denominational leaders and will broadcast on YouTube, Facebook Live and the NCC website on Sunday. Nearly 2,000 people have already registered to be a part of the service as the death toll nears the tragic milestone of 100,000 lives lost to this horrible disease.

“As we set aside time on Sunday to remember the many lives lost to this virus, it is almost cruel to imagine churches would rush to re-open and put so many more at risk of dying,” said Jim Winkler, NCC President and General Secretary. “From the reports we’ve received, our churches have been among the most responsible in the nation in handling this global pandemic and we do expect that to continue.”

Rather than hastily go back to having church in-person, NCC urges congregations to make sure they have a solid strategy for opening safely. Taking every precaution is essential, including wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands frequently, avoiding congregational singing and leaving doors open during worship services. Still, these measures are no guarantee that no one will become sick or contract the virus. This means the most loving, noble and sacrificial thing to do is to worship from home until gathering in-person is safe.

Too much is still unknown about how the coronavirus spreads and how it can be treated. While some locations are just beginning to experience a downturn in cases and deaths, it is too early to rush back to church. As Christians, we have a responsibility to care for one another and look out for those most at risk of getting sick or losing their lives from this virus. In most cases, that will mean churches should continue online services for the time being.

The National Council of the Churches of the United States of America (NCCCUSA) has been consistent in its history regarding the affirmation of peace with justice and reconciliation among peoples and countries, including Venezuela.  We are outraged at the recent reports of mercenary groups entering Venezuelan territory to commit violent acts against the people of that country. We are appalled that these people hold United States (U.S.) citizenship and that they were allegedly motivated by religious ideals. These violent actions contradict Jesus’ teaching to love and respect our neighbors. The foreign policy measures that the U.S. has implemented against the Venezuelan people remain a deep concern. At a time when countries around the world are allocating resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. has expanded economic sanctions against Venezuela and deployed Navy ships under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking.  These actions have endangered U.S. service people and have impacted Venezuela’s ability to address the COVID-19 crisis in this hour of need.  

Given our solidarity with the people of Venezuela and our commitment to peace with justice:

1. We condemn any military intervention in Venezuela, directly or indirectly promoted by the U.S. or through third nations. Such actions defy the right of the Venezuelan people to self-determination and worsen their infrastructure and livelihoods. We call on the U.S. government to heed the call for a global ceasefire from the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General, Dr. Antonio Guterres, who said: “It is time to put the armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.”  
2. We urge the government of the U.S. to eliminate all economic sanctions imposed against Venezuela.  These strategies will not serve any purpose other than to harm those who are already suffering, and who are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. The economic sanctions will also negatively affect the political and social environments needed for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Venezuela. 
3. We urge the international ecumenical movement—all churches and faiths in the U.S. and around the world—governments, the U.N., and all people of goodwill, to come together to reject any military intervention against Venezuela, to eliminate economic sanctions against this country and to affirm its right to self-determination and sovereignty.  

We call on churches in the United States and around the world, as well as all people of goodwill, to increase prayers and acts of peace, justice, and reconciliation for the people of Venezuela. They are our neighbors and we stand in solidarity with them.   May God guide us into that endeavor.  

The National Council of Churches (NCC) is grieved and deeply disturbed by the acts of violence that have been perpetrated against two unarmed African American men reported this week, even as most of the nation has remained at home sheltering in place. These incidents have reinforced the urgent need for us to address racism and white supremacy. The evil that results from racial hatred is exactly this: Black bodies lying dead in the streets.

NCC calls for justice in the death of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery, a young man shot dead by two white men while jogging through a neighborhood just outside Brunswick, Georgia. While we acknowledge the arrests of the two men implicated in this case, we are deeply concerned that it took a public outcry for the wheels of justice to begin turning. We continue our calls for justice to be served in this modern-day lynching.

“It took two months after the killing of Ahmaud Ambery for his killers to be arrested and face charges,” said Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Chair of the NCC Governing Board. “I am outraged. You have to be some kind of racist not to be. When two white men park up the road and wait to kill an unarmed black man and it’s on tape and they aren’t in jail – we have all the evidence we need of racism at work.”

As protests were taking place on Thursday over this killing, Dreasjon (Sean) Reed, 21, was shot and killed by Indianapolis police who fired 13 bullets, most after he fell helplessly to the ground. This horrible incident was streamed as it was happening on Facebook, where one of the detectives can be heard taunting the dying Reed, saying, “Think it’s going to be a closed casket, homie.”

According to Jim Winkler, NCC President and General Secretary, “Our history is marred with 400 years of slavery, racism, and lynchings that include far too many incidents like these. Now, we have these unprovoked and grotesque murders in broad daylight. We demand justice.”

The NCC will remain vigilant in addressing these issues and calling out these situations when they occur, and will be following these cases to ensure that justice prevails. We join with the families in mourning the loss of Ahmaud’s and Sean’s lives and surround them with prayers for comfort as we work for a world free of racism.

…learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.

-Isaiah 1:17 NRSV

As we enter the third week of Easter, we may see an ease in stay-at-home restrictions and a re-opening of businesses, but we do not know what this means for returning to our places of worship. In this season of uncertainty, let us hold fast to what we know to be true in Christ. May you continue to find encouragement through our daily prayers, spiritual discernment, and a shared reading of the Scripture.

God Will Preserve a Remnant (Zephaniah 3:8-13, NRSV)

The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the Sunday lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.

3: ⁸ Therefore wait for me, says the Lord,
    for the day when I arise as a witness.
For my decision is to gather nations,
    to assemble kingdoms,
to pour out upon them my indignation,
    all the heat of my anger;
for in the fire of my passion
    all the earth shall be consumed.

⁹ At that time I will change the speech of the peoples
    to a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
    and serve him with one accord.
¹⁰ From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
    my suppliants, my scattered ones,
    shall bring my offering.

¹¹ On that day you shall not be put to shame
    because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
    your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
    in my holy mountain.
¹² For I will leave in the midst of you
    a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord—
¹³     the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrong
    and utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue
    be found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,
    and no one shall make them afraid.

Jesus Calls the First Disciples, (Matthew 4:18-25, NRSV)

Today’s Gospel lesson is selected from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).

4: ¹⁸ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. ²⁴ So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. ²⁵ And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

A statement by the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches

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“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.

-Psalm 46:10-11 NRSV

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The Governing Board of the National Council of Churches, meeting during the Easter season 2020, sends greetings to all with the eternal message, “Christ is Risen!  Truly He is Risen!”  

These joyful words are a balm, especially, during these difficult days when the COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping over the country, and indeed the entire world, causing illness, death, and the disruption of lives and livelihoods.  At the time of our meeting, April 28, 3,090,844 people worldwide have tested positive for the virus, and 213,273 have died.  

In the United States alone, there are 1,003,844 cases, and 57,962 deaths have been reported.  Fortunately, some areas in the country and around the world are experiencing a decrease in the daily numbers of confirmed, new cases of infection. It remains uncertain whether these positive trends will continue or if a new wave of the virus will emerge. Thus we acknowledge that uncertainty and fear remain. In the midst of such tribulation, we claim that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, NRSV).  

This pandemic shines a light on our ability as a nation and as a people to rally together in a time of crisis. We rejoice and express thanks for all those who are providing aid and comfort to the ill and suffering. This includes first responders, medical personnel, chaplains, and others providing humanitarian assistance. Our prayers are with the scientists and researchers and other experts who are working on improved testing, new vaccines, and guidelines that will enable a return to normal life. 

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Now is a time to imagine a bold new future, and a way forward that considers the best interests of all of God’s people.”

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We are grateful to the countless individuals who have come to the aid of their neighbors out of moral conviction, religious faith, or love.  We also give thanks for educators, civic officials, and religious leaders, who are learning new, creative ways to teach, lead, and minister to their communities. 

This pandemic also shines a light on the hierarchy of human life as we live it. Many essential workers considered essential are treated as expendable. Grocery clerks, orderlies, custodians, restaurant workers, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, and countless others — are at the bottom of the economic ladder.  They are required to show up at work and maintain the comfort of others without having necessary resources to protect themselves or their families. We support measures to safeguard their well-being and elevate their economic and social status. 

We urge everyone to continue to adapt to those guidelines which will limit the spread of the virus. Now is not the time to ignore measures intended to limit illness and loss of life.    

As we are mindful of all the good happening around us, we must also name the injustices and challenges that we confront.  This crisis reveals dangerous biases.  In particular, we condemn the hate-speech and hate-crimes directed against the Asian-American community, as well as attacks on our siblings of other ethnic and religious backgrounds who are experiencing hatred and xenophobia during this time. 

The pandemic has uncovered the systemic racism and classism that is intrinsically part of our national DNA and has shined a light on the vast disparities in our healthcare system. Large cities are reporting over 70% of reported deaths are of African Americans.

A grossly disproportionate number of persons of color are suffering and dying from COVID-19 because of the systemic poverty and racism that plagues our society. We reiterate our determination as a Council to work to end racism.

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People seek and need connection with one another, and they desire to collaborate to build a new future that integrates justice and peace with health and well-being.”

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Further, the economic collapse that is underway shines a light on the weakness of our social safety net, including economic and healthcare inequities, and the tenuous nature of our purported prosperity now that tens of millions have quickly been thrown out of work. As some corporate interests rightly seek government funding to support their workers, others inappropriately seek vast sums from our government to enrich themselves; meanwhile, those of more humble means have received inadequate assistance. We pledge to continue to advocate for our nation’s resources to be utilized to help the most vulnerable among us, including immigrants and refugees.

Finally, this is a time of grief and sadness for millions of people. The loss of life and the numbers who are suffering is staggering. The anguish is compounded by our inability to be near our loved ones as they pass away and to gather in community to celebrate their lives and participate in rites of committal. Although many have died alone, they are not expendable and their loss to us is irreplaceable. We pray that their memory be eternal, and that their loved ones be comforted.

As people and communities of faith, we know that God is with us, and that we are all in this beautiful creation together.  A central message of the ecumenical movement has been the resolve to stay together despite our differences. When we do so as a society, we are able to coordinate and extend our response to the pandemic and, in seeking to remedy the weaknesses and faults in our society that this pandemic has exposed, insist that those who are suffering be placed at the center of our concern. 

Now is a time to imagine a bold new future, and a way forward that considers the best interests of all of God’s people. The pandemic is a crisis and all crises provide opportunities for change and renewal. People seek and need connection with one another, and they desire to collaborate to build a new future that integrates justice and peace with health and well-being. We celebrate that and we are committed to participating as full partners in working for the beloved community. 

For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt,
    I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
    Is there no physician there?
Why then has the health of my poor people
    not been restored?

-Jeremiah 8:21-22 NRSV

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In the midst of a global pandemic with a massive impact on the health and well-being of people throughout the world, President Trump proposes to suspend U.S. funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). This is dangerous, immoral and wrong.  Even though international institutions such as the WHO are not perfect, suspension of funding, proposed for 60-90 days while a review takes place, is irresponsible and ill-timed.  

President Trump stated yesterday, “The WHO pushed China’s misinformation about the virus.” In fact, the WHO sounded the alarm early and offered test kits to the United States, which were refused. 

 “I am proud that our nation is the largest funder of the World Health Organization, one of the central institutions of the United Nations,” said Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches. “Whatever improvements that can be made in WHO are worthy of consideration but right now, as the entire world is fighting the coronavirus, it is not the time to suspend our funding. That would be a disaster.”

“I call upon the President to take back his words and NOT cut our funding to the WHO,” stated Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Governing Board Chair of the NCC. “We owe the world more than that – and our contributions to world health are a moral obligation we cannot walk away from.”

During this time of crisis, one that affects the entire world, we strongly urge the US government to do its part to responsibly support the institutions that work across borders for the health and safety of all people.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Like anybody, I would like to have a long life.” His trusted deputy, a great leader in his own right, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Echols Lowery, had that long life and we are all blessed because of it. Rev. Dr. Lowery passed away on Friday at the age of 98. The National Council of Churches is grateful for his witness and all he did for human rights and for God’s world.

A United Methodist minister considered the “Dean” of the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Dr. Lowery served the church universal, spoke truth to power, secured civil rights advances for all of humanity, and was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. We pray for his family and we thank God for the good fight that he fought.