It feels like Tilt-A-Whirl time. With the coronavirus upending life around the globe, people of faith are working to create new ways of gathering and connecting for their congregations, and of caring for their communities.
The questions may be coming more quickly than the answers. People have ideas, but aren’t always sure what’s possible or smart or might even make things worse. But along with all the uncertainty has come creativity in ministry — and a commitment to be mindful of those who might be particularly vulnerable. Here are some points of conversation and places of attention where Presbyterians are trying to figure out how to be faithful in this tumultuous time.
Not surprisingly, the ideas are morphing day by day. This list may too.
Partnerships. Many congregations who have canceled in-person services, are moving toward worshipping via livestream. But it can be challenging for congregational leaders to figure out in short order all the technical challenges involved. Another possibility: not every congregation has to offer its own service. Maybe two or three churches could partner together on a livestream. Or congregational leaders could provide links to other churches that are offering online worship — a sign of the connectional church at work.
For example, in Memphis, five pastors from four churches helped lead worship on March 15 at Idlewild Presbyterian — with the service livestreamed and also available on the radio, and with the link to the worship service available online for others to watch later.
College students, needing help. Many college and universities are switching to online classes; students have moved out of dorms and college housing. That can leave some students stuck — they might not be able to afford travel home, or have a way to move their possessions. They might not have any place to go. International students from hard-hit countries may find travel home impossible. Some congregations are trying to touch base with UKirk or local college ministries to identify students who might need help – and to collect names of local families willing to provide help for students who need somewhere to stay or other forms of support.
Students, giving help. With many schools closed, events cancelled and students staying home, that could provide opportunities for students to be of assistance for older or more vulnerable populations. Among the ideas circulating: delivering food to shut-ins, walking pets for seniors, helping older people with digital needs and accessing online worship. Or this from Twitter:
My elderly neighbor is self-isolating. So the neighbor kids are playing her a cello concert from her patio. pic.twitter.com/g6Nr2HNVho
— Jackie Borchardt (@JMBorchardt) March 16, 2020
Vulnerable groups. Some subpopulations are likely to be particularly vulnerable. Among them:
- The homeless.
- The elderly.
- Asylum seekers living in encampments across the Mexican border.
- Food insecure children who are now out of school, but who rely on free and reduced-price lunches to avoid chronic hunger.
There has been lots of conversation, on social media and elsewhere, about ways to respond.
A woman lamented that she is not allowed to visit her mother, who lives in a nursing home that is not permitting visitors. A friend offered to be part of a “card shower” — sending cards to people in nursing homes, so they feel less lonely.
Some congregations that previously provided in-person meals for the food-insecure are providing to-go box lunches.
Economic injustice. The impact of the epidemic is being felt disproportionately by those with fewer resources — including those with no sick leave, many who work in service industry jobs, those who can’t telework and have no chil
d care when the schools shut down. “People have been told to stock up on food and prescription drugs but many cannot afford to,” wrote Liz Theoharis, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) minister who is co-director with William Barber of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Some people will go to work when they’re sick, because they can’t afford not to.
Some have no ability to social distance: those on courtroom benches awaiting arraignment, those in prison, those being loaded on planes in shackles to be deported.
Prayer. Pastors and others are making new space for communal times of prayer, devotion or silence. They are setting a time and platform (Zoom, Facebook Live or others) and inviting people to join in – using resources including the Book of Common Prayer, poetry, devotional books and more. Some pastors are emailing out the sermon or leaving video links to the worship service up all week long. And how about “Zoom Room singing”?
Pastoral care. Congregations are organizing staff and volunteers to call members to check in with them and pray with them. Part of the message: We are not physically together, but we are not alone.
Pain and stress. For those who suffer already from anxiety and depression, coronavirus has ramped things up. For those who work in healthcare, in pharmacies, in groceries or in public service, the hours can be long, stressful and sometimes dangerous. Pastors and chaplains face new pressures and tough choices. Some families are in particularly difficult situations – with a loved one in the hospital, with job loss, with all the tragedies that lace through life.
Gratitude. Some are using social distancing as a time to slow down, quiet down, pay attention — to give thanks for each day’s blessings. People are picking up their guitars, their knitting; they are reading books and digging in the garden; baking bread and simmering soup.
Day by day. Because that seems to be the new normal.
