It’s tough across Ohio
Schools closed.
Bars and Restaurants closed.
Missed paychecks.
People don’t know if toilet paper will be on the shelves.
And the underlying issue is still nagging at us - will we get sick?
There is a lot to be anxious about right now, but as the Church we are called to engage in the world. Many people are pulling back from social interaction, but social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation. In fact, with so much anxiety out there right now, we should probably 'LEAN IN - SPIRITUALLY.
1. Don't cancel commitment to serve neighbors in need:
We are hearing that many congregations are cancelling their commitments to our social service agencies around the state. If your normal volunteers are older or at-risk, encourage them to step back, but encourage new volunteers to step forward who are young and healthy. Reach out to local partners to see if they can help fill in for you. The staff at the programs are already overwhelmed. Call them and ask what THEY need most.
2. Step up and serve!
Reach out to your local school district, food bank, or food pantry and ask what they need. Don't assume you know what is needed. Be willing to offer young healthy people, vehicles, money, or donations of goods to help our most vulnerable neighbors get through this too.
3. Check-in with your neighbors:
Develop a phone tree (yes actual phone) for your members to reach out to shut-ins and people in nursing homes by phone. As the fear among the elderly rises, let's be the church and offer comfort with a phone call or letter to those who are isolated. This is a time for new ministries.
4. Worship wisely:
If your congregation continues to gather. Be smart. Not shaking hands is a smart move, but continue to offer new signs of peace with one another. People are afraid, liturgy and worship are gifts to the people and can help bring peace if proper precautions are in place. Watch Bishop Daniel Beaudoin demonstrate "Peace be with you" in sign language. Let's think about WHY we worship and emphasize that!
5. Advocate for policy solutions:
Whether a crisis is a parent losing a job, a cancer diagnosis, or a global health pandemic, the result is the same. Our neighbors who are most vulnerable will be struggle to make it through.
As a policy advocacy ministry, we pray and will be working with our elected officials to highlight policies and actions that can help families through future crisis - whether global or local in scope. We will be writing more in coming days about the COVID-19 Relief Bill passed by the US House of Representatives, and follow-up action that is needed on the State Level regarding unemployment compensation, food security and much more.
We need to prioritize our neighbors first - especially those whom are considered 'the least of these'.
It is time to lean into the Spirit, It’s time to lean in (spiritually) to one another.
*CDC recommends that people stay 6 feet apart. Spiritually leaning in should not be taken to contradict this advice.