Let me start by expressing deep gratitude to our PSWR Disciples leaders, clergy and congregations for making safety a priority, honoring the health department’s recommendations, temporarily closing the doors of our physical locations, staying at home, and saving lives. While sheltering in place, PSWR Disciples opened our doors online and by phone, setting out, in new ways to share the Gospel and provide care for each other. We are learning how to be the church in a time of physical distancing, letting love expand and find other ways to reach each other. We invited a wider audience into our worship experiences, ministries and worshipful work. As your Regional Minister, I have focused our team’s ministry by staying connected with you, and providing pastoral care and concerns, financial support and online resources / coaching (by request). During this coronavirus fight, our Regional leadership, ministry team and staff (practicing physical distance) have been able to connect via Zoom with over 130 pastors in English, Spanish and Korean, over 30 congregational moderators and many, many more individual contacts via phone and email. We have stayed together!
Amid this pandemic, existing “safer at home” orders by health and elected officials are being reconsidered and evaluated. Our region manifests itself in three states, please continue to follow your Federal, State and local governments on the most up to date orders and guidance. As these decisions are being made regarding the lifting of this order, whether in phases or in ways beyond our control, I ask you join me in prayer and deep reflection about our health concerns, making the safest decisions for our congregations and neighbors. While much is still uncertain and a decision for lifting loom, I encourage us all to take time and consider what has happened. Make space to grieve the magnitude of this pandemic’s impact upon us all. Let us find the very best health practices and ways to prepare before re-opening the doors to our physical locations and prematurely closing those new doors online. Below I refer to two articles that can be used to formulate questions and / or practices before our return. Our congregants and visitors deserve our very best efforts toward providing a sacred and safe space.
Weeks ago, I received the call from one of our pastors, with news about his beginning battle with COVID-19. I was prayerful, pastoral, concerned and continued to follow his recovery. Much was happening in the beginning of this coronavirus fight for all of us. I shared this news only with some neighboring clergy, inviting prayers and support. Admirably, rallied for this battle were his family, old and new friends, and his Disciples church, Local, Regional and General. Mobilized were prayers, food drop-offs, grocery shopping, check-ins, and overall care. Their story is yours and all of our story, now.
“The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.” – Acts 11:29 NIV
“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” - MLK Jr. This pastor is doing a lot better and if he were asked if you could do anything, it would be for you to consider making a donation, high on the list would be to help support the ministries of Week of Compassion, the Disciples Mission Fund and our Region. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity, together we’re making a difference, here and all around the world.
A final question, what will we do with what we’ve learned and how will it shape our continued being, living and moving as congregations and Region? In these next weeks, I will continue to reflect on who we became on the inside, what will we need going forward and how will we be experienced from the outside. Thank you for your support of our Region and our General Church through your giving to Disciples Mission Fund. We’re praying for all of you. Please refer to our COVID-19 page for up to date Regional and other helpful information.
With prayer for healing and safe concern,
Richie
HELPFUL LINKS:
The first is regarding a story in the Wichita, KS paper. The judge who ruled in favor of the two churches that sued the governor in order to meet, nonetheless imposed 24 criteria for them to follow (which would be difficult for most to accomplish, but they offer some great criteria).
The second is an article with 24 questions your church should answer before people return.
The third we received from another region, created by a Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Ridge, TN. It provides a well-done video discussing thoughtful next steps for their church.
The fourth is a resource made available from Beloved, San Diego (a PSWR congregation). It is an upcoming free online course for stress management and emotional health.
