Speaking the Truth

by Rev. Eric Folkerth

“For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
— Jesus

“What is truth?”
— Pontius Pilate

After several months of optimism and hope about the direction of our nation and world, this morning I am again saddened and depressed by the news of the day.

COVID cases are on the rise, and disinformation about vaccines is again rampant.

And at the heart of it all: A continuing fight over, as Pilate says so artfully, “what is truth?”

Pilate understood that he didn’t have to argue his own “truth.”

He just had to undermine the idea that *Jesus* was speaking truth.

(In fact, one of the things that frustrates readers most about Pilate’s portrayal in the Gospels is that he merely “washes his hands” of making a decision, and allows others to take the blame…)

Friends, this is the primary, and most dangerous issue of our day. Pilate is engaged in the very same tactics so often used in our world today. In  social media —and in far too many “traditional media” sources as well— the goal seems to be to SOW DOUBT.

You don’t have to have a credible position to defend. You just have to undermine your opposition’s POV by suggesting that the truth is unknowable.

(Or, as an added bonus, shriek: “what about (fill-in the blank), instead?!!!”

The surest path to *undermine* truth is simply to suggest there might be another opinion that is equally valid, and equally true. But that is simply not correct. Some things are “true” while others are not. And some leaders are courageously standing up for the truth.

But, heartbreakingly, doctors are posting stories of those who are dying because they have not received the vaccine. Today, I’ve been deeply moved by the words of Dr. Brytny Cobia, a physician from Alabama, who tells this heartbreaking story:

“I'm admitting young healthy people to the hospital with very serious COVID infections. One of the last things they do before they're intubated is beg me for the vaccine. I hold their hand and tell them that I'm sorry, but it's too late. A few days later when I call time of death, I hug their family members and I tell them the best way to honor their loved one is to go get vaccinated and encourage everyone they know to do the same. They cry. And they tell me they didn't know. They thought it was a hoax. They thought it was political. They thought because they had a certain blood type or a certain skin color they wouldn't get as sick. They thought it was 'just the flu.’ But they were wrong. And they wish they could go back. But they can't. So they thank me and they go get the vaccine.”

Now, you might applaud the good doctor for sharing this story. However, after posting this, she ALSO has stopped commenting on the situation for now…because of the anger that has come her way, simply from telling the truth.

It’s instructive to remember that from the very first time Jesus spoke in his hometown, people wanted to kill him. And as Pilate throws down “What is truth?” Jesus hours away the crucifixion that had long been feared.

Speaking the truth is not without risk. Speaking the truth can get you harassed by your opponents, or worse.

Do it anyway.

After vaccinating the surviving family members of those who are currently dying, Dr. Cobia says this:

“I go back to my office, write their death note, and say a small prayer that this loss will save more lives.”

Friends, it’s not Christian to oppose science. St. Augustine told Christians —more than 400 years ago— that if science discovers things that appear to conflict with your Christian faith, in God’s name, believe science and revise your faith…not the other way around.

So, I’ll end with one more plea for everyone to get vaccinated; the truth-filled words of Dr. Cobia’s friend, Dr. David B. Wilhelm:

“I will repeat my statement from last week: If you haven't had Covid and are unvaccinated, there is a significant likelihood you'll get Delta variant Covid in the next 60-90 days. If that offends any of you, then so be it. There is no more time to sugar coat this. Vaccines are readily available and are your best tool to fight this infection. Almost 99% of all Covid deaths are now in those who are not vaccinated. Don't wait until it is too late.”

Update On the Magruders

Friends: In lieu of a column to you this week, I thought I’d make sure you all saw this post from Wes and Leah Magruder, which Wes made yesterday. (I’ll provide a brief update at the end…)

With his permission, here’s an update from Wes:

“I don't post often, but feel the need to let you know what is happening in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where Leah and I work at Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary.

Last Wednesday evening, former President Jacob Zuma turned himself in to police and started serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. It's a long story, but during his nine-year presidency, he oversaw widespread theft and personal appropriation of state funds. A commission was formed to investigate his potential crimes, but he refused to appear and defend himself, and thus was sentenced for contempt of court. 

His base of support, mostly located in the province of KwaZulu Natal (where we live), reacted with violent protests, blocking roads, etc. But the protest has now become a wave of widespread looting and destruction across the province.

The unrest is the result of a perfect storm of COVID's third wave, a lack of vaccines, high unemployment, economic malaise, corruption, and governmental incompetence.

But the unrest has come to Pietermaritzburg since yesterday. Two malls were burned yesterday, shops were looted throughout the day and night, and this morning I woke up with another shopping center burning a short distance away from our apartment.

The police are simply outnumbered; the looting is going on in broad daylight in front of TV cameras. The army has been called into KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces, but until they get here, it will be chaotic.

The seminary is closed until further notice, and I am hunkered down at home. I'm safe, so please don't worry about me. 

Leah, meanwhile, is still in Round Rock, Texas, where she has been sitting on hospice with her father for the last several months. Two nights ago, she developed severe kidney stones and had to be admitted into the hospital. I'm waiting on news from her, while also monitoring the situation here. 

There is nothing that anyone needs to do, except keep us in your prayers, and most of all, pray for South Africa, which is a beautiful, diverse, complicated, and beloved country.

— Rev. Wes Magruder”

UPDATE: I just got off a call with Wes, moments ago. It was good to hear his voice. He reports that things today seem much better. The Army has arrived and he feels that the immediate danger has passed. Despite it all, Wes continues to report being very glad to be there in S.A.

I told him that all of KPUMC continues to keep he and Leah in our prayers during this challenging time…EF

Something Is Going On!

by Rev. Kay Ash

Our Kessler Park UMC Parents Day Out program is blooming!  You may already know that after being shut down for a few months due to the COVID virus, PDO re-opened with a very limited number of children in the Fall of 2020.  We opened up to a few more children in the Spring of 2021 and are almost at capacity this Summer.  It is such a joy to have the children in the building again each day!  What you may not know, however, is how things have changed in the PDO program during this very unusual year.  

The first and very obvious change you might notice around here begins with the children themselves.  So many of the children participating in our care are new to our program!  Previously and because PDO has such a long-standing reputation in the neighborhood, we used to get returning families, families with siblings, families of cousins or families with  grandchildren – most often we would get families that have very deep connections to our program over many years.  But now, something is going on!  Our nursery is filled with new and very young babies!

Another and more subtle change has to do with how the children spend their days.  PDO has provided safe, excellent and loving care for the children of North Oak Cliff since 1968.  However, the academic requirements of our surrounding school systems continue to rise which means those requirements trickle down into pre-school programs as we prepare students to enter kindergarten.  As a result, PDO is focusing more on pre-school education.  I am especially thankful for our PDO Director, LaTara Thompkins, who lovingly guides our staff each week in the development of age-appropriate lesson plans, crafts, and activities.  On any given day you might witness painting with ice cubes, tracing the alphabet, or hear the children counting absolutely everything they see.  Like I said, something is going on!

Most exciting, we have a wonderful and large group of new parents who are already in discussions about the expansion of our PDO program when space in our building becomes available.  We are not only dreaming dreams about the logistics and space use aspects of expansion.  We are dreaming dreams about deeply enriching, educational and always loving ways to serve the children and families of North Oak Cliff in big ways.  Keep your eyes open as things unfold.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of what’s going on!  PDO is currently registering families for our combined Fall 2021/Spring 2022 session.  For more information, contact PDO@kpumc.org.