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:
  1. Pray for each other and for health care workers and folks who are ill, and their families.
  2. Follow the guidelines given by the Public Health and your government officials. Respect and protect the health of others and yourself.
  3. 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.
  4. Remember that loneliness and feelings of despair or fear are common. Phone friends, neighbours, church family and  your own family regularly.
  5. In particular, choose one elderly, ill or shut-in neighbour and call them regularly.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Write a note of appreciation to caregivers e.g. a nurse or doctor or other caregiver.
  9. Send a card of encouragement, thanks, or just to let someone know that you are thinking of them.
  10. Spread the truth, not rumours. Public Health websites give up-to-date information. Rumours can be scary and instill fear instead of confidence.
  11. Remember local businesses which must close during the outbreak. Order take-out from restaurants.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.