Response Magazine for United Methodist Women (April 2000)

The April 2000 edition of Response is a text for this year’s mission study on "God’s People in an Urban Culture." It explores how cities are treated in the Bible then examines the stark contrasts of wealth and poverty that so easily coexist in modern cities. Still, each year, people from other parts of the country, and indeed the world, continue to move to cities and begin building new lives for themselves. Response editor Dana E. Jones writes:

"Where we come from has a lifelong impact on how we understand ourselves. Whether you live on a farm, in a small town, in a suburb or in a city, urbanization of the United States is impacting your life."

On the cover: The growing gap between the nation’s rich and poor is seen in a protest of gentrification of city neighborhoods that displace middle- and low-income families. Aging apartment building near Chicago’s North Side stands in relief to new commercial and residential high-rise buildings in background. Cover photo by Yarka Vendrinska.

Bible study author Glory E. Dharmaraj introduces a city that becomes a sanctuary of God. But first comes garden and covenant, a re-created garden city, and a city that incorporates at its heart a garden.

Ms. Dharmaraj explains that in 1950, 30 percent of the world’s population lived in urban areas. U.N. experts predict that figure will increase to 50 percent by the end of 2000. She defines urban as more than a geographic and population size and density.

"Cities impact the rural environment," Ms. Dharmaraj writes. "Our challenge as people of faith is to determine who influences whom and the impact of such influences." She seeks answers from the biblical images of the city.

If the world were registered as in Jesus’ day, where would each of us go? David Wildman poses these and other questions in his theme article showing that whether you live in the city or in the suburb we are all God’s people. He lifts up Scripture to affirm Christ has broken down the dividing wall, the hostility between people.

About three quarters of whites live in suburbs while the majority of people of color live in cities, Mr. Wildman reports. He criticizes many national and state policies that write off whole communities in U.S. cities. These legislative policies neglect low-income housing, public education, community development and public health. They are blind to such people as the homeless, inner-city schoolchildren, skilled workers and the uninsured. The contrasts are as stark as "A Tale of Two Cities."

Did you know that since the 1970s the population in many rural regions of the United States has been growing? Dana E. Jones reports one reason for this growth is the return upon retirement of people who grew up in rural areas, but lived and worked for years in urban areas. Also, technology makes it possible to work away from the office. Rural life is seen as simpler, less stressful and less expensive. Highway systems make city access easier for those who want to live away from urban congestion. Space in metropolitan areas has run out, population is spilling over into surrounding rural counties.

The writer contends that the United States is largely a nation of immigrants and nowhere is this more apparent than in our cities. These immigrants tend to be young, ambitious, hardworking and healthy. They are willing to risk moving to a new country to start over. Many of these support family members "back home."

How do immigrants benefit the United States? The writer says they provide an abundant supply of skilled and unskilled labor, and many churches are growing because of them.

Elizabeth G. Ferris urges us to work to counter those who would limit immigration or make life more difficult for those who come.

Despite the pictures of wilderness areas and endangered species to promote awareness of our vulnerable environment, most environmental legislation affects urban areas, writes Michel Gelobter. The cities are often the most polluted and in turn generate concentrated forms of pollution. It is city dwellers who must deal with air pollution from commuters. He writes:

"Among urban adolescents of color, ages 16-24, in 1988 there was a 32 percent asthma rate. That rate has increased steadily since."

Mr. Gelobter cites carbon monoxide as one of those toxics that have been under-monitored. Lead paint and air pollution are also hazardous and affect city dwellers most. Local industries, power plants and industrial facilities almost always are disproportionately located in communities of color. They are significant sources of air pollution.

What many thought were urban problems are now visible in suburbs and rural communities. Carol Barton maintains that most of the problems in inner-city ghetto neighborhoods, crime, family dissolution, welfare, low levels of social organization, are fundamentally a consequence of the disappearance of work. She writes:

"The new economy has brought unprecedented wealth to a few, who are primarily white, and increasing poverty to many, who are disproportionately people of color. Our cities are a visible sign of an economy out of sync with Christian values of justice, equality and human dignity."

Ms. Barton takes a closeup look at El Paso, Texas; New York City, NY; and San Jose, CA. and shows the impact of the changing economy on these cities.

Eight women representing three generations and various ethnic groups, agree that despite the bad name cities get, life in the city is good for women. Frances S. Smith shares their descriptions of their lives in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Calif., New York City, N.Y.; Austin, Texas, and comparisons with where they’ve been. The women agree there are challenges in living in big cities, but transportation, culture and entertainment, diversity, career opportunities and employment options in urban centers can’t be beat.

Living in the city may not be as kind to older women because isolation could get to be a problem. The author presents churches as a source to friendships across generational lines.

Transportation is the key to health care for women writes, Talia M. McCray. This recipient of the Women’s Division Theressa Hoover Community Service and Global Citizen Award describes a transportation system for low-income mothers in Detroit, Mich. She believes the system could work in South Africa, where she recently researched the topic.

Lack of transportation, child care needs and time away from the family keep women in both areas from getting adequate health care. Healthy Baby Service founded in 1988 offers free door-to-door transportation to low-income women for prenatal care and participation in health and nutrition programs. This inner-city innovation certainly has international appeal.

The writer reports on how Cooper Community Center’s director aligned with other community entities to introduce computers to preschool and school-age children and adults in Boston, Mass. A. Victoria Hunter explains the community now has hands-on access to technology that otherwise would not have been available. This is mission that gives this community the technological expertise to make it in today’s world.

Radio is another medium that helps create community, at least it does with listener-sponsored radio stations like WBAI in New York City. Ms. Hunter reports the key ingredients for community radio are diverse programming that reflects the ethnic mix of the city and news coverage that focuses on issues that matter to listeners.

Some families choose to live and rear their children in the city, writes Celeste Bullock. They cite reduced commutes and the availability of mass transit. They like the city’s diversity and energy level. There are more opportunities for jobs.

Other families dream of big back yards in the suburbs for their children, but Ms. Bullock explores why some families find the grass greener in the city.

On The Road To General Conference: Land Mines, Guns, Pornography, Restorative Justice on Agenda
by Dana E. Jones

Do you think background checks and waiting periods for gun purchases is reasonable? Would you participate in efforts to ban child pornography? Do you think women prisoners would benefit from United Methodist Women units in jails and prisons?

These are some of the issues delegates will wrestle with to determine the stance of the United Methodist Church. General Conference gets underway May 2-12.

God's People in an Urban Culture

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