How to be the church in a pandemic
Do you know the song "We Am the Church"? The lyrics go like this:
The church is not a building,
The church is not a steeple,
The church is not a resting place,
The church is a people. (Listen to, and sing along here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ughMVTMhCuc)
Here are some ways that we can still be the church while the building is closed:
The church is not a building,
The church is not a steeple,
The church is not a resting place,
The church is a people. (Listen to, and sing along here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ughMVTMhCuc)
Here are some ways that we can still be the church while the building is closed:
- Pray for each other and for health care workers and folks who are ill, and their families.
- Follow the guidelines given by the Public Health and your government officials. Respect and protect the health of others and yourself.
- Share, don't hoard. (You've heard about people buying all the toilet paper in the store?) If you have something that a neighbour could use, share with them. When you buy groceries, keep only enough for 2 weeks. That will leave enough for everyone.
- Remember that loneliness and feelings of despair or fear are common. Phone friends, neighbours, church family and your own family regularly.
- In particular, choose one elderly, ill or shut-in neighbour and call them regularly.
- Offer to get groceries for someone. That helps out the recipient and also decreases the number of customers to which grocery store staff are in contact with each day.
- Make extra food and deliver some to someone who has difficulty preparing their own. Wash your hands well, then deliver it just to their door.
- Write a note of appreciation to caregivers e.g. a nurse or doctor or other caregiver.
- Send a card of encouragement, thanks, or just to let someone know that you are thinking of them.
- Spread the truth, not rumours. Public Health websites give up-to-date information. Rumours can be scary and instill fear instead of confidence.
- Remember local businesses which must close during the outbreak. Order take-out from restaurants.
- If you normally go to a local coffee shop or restaurant on a regular basis, for example every day or every Tuesday for coffee with friends, keep a jar on your table and put in it the money you would have spent at the restaurant/coffee shop on each regular visit. Donate that money to them when they re-open to show that you appreciate them and that you care about them, and you want their business to succeed.
- Choose gratitude. If you are isolated and staying home give thanks for what you have...especially your health and some free time. Use your time wisely. Work on a project you have been putting off; make some meals and put them in the freezer for a time you return to work and are more busy; learn a new hobby or skill; get out your Bible and read a book of the Bible with which you are less familiar.
- Sponsor a coffee break for a workplace such as Foodland, Towers etc. to support local businesses. Order a carafe of coffee and two dozen muffins from Jenny's and deliver it at 10:00 one morning. If you plan to deliver to the Towers, call ahead to be sure that is acceptable.
- Be kind to the planet. Plant a garden, even if it is a tomato plant in a pot. Enjoy fresh produce and decrease importing of food. And growing plants clean the air.