Pastoral letter in response to coronavirus pandemic
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are experiencing an extraordinary time. The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), now a pandemic, has captured headlines, cancelled conferences and professional sporting events, disrupted travel plans, closed schools and colleges, relocated workers to home, and infected and killed thousands of people across the world, with cases reported in the U.S. and here in Pennsylvania. With this outbreak and the potential for contamination, you may be feeling anxious or afraid, confused or concerned about what to do and not to do, where to go and not to go. Like everyone, here at Community Presbyterian Church, we are grappling with this troubling time. I initiated a task force that met Thursday to discuss with me how best to respond to this rapidly changing situation. I have also called a Session meeting for Sunday following worship, when we will discuss our next steps to ensure the safety and well being of our community and every individual in it. I will send an update after that meeting. For now, I am writing to you out of pastoral concern and my message is this: Don’t panic, but do take precautions to protect yourself and others you are in contact with, be prepared and pray.
Don’t panic
As the prophet Isaiah reminds us: “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I am your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady.” (Isaiah 41:10). Especially during anxious times, we need to hear God’s word, pray, and gather together in Christian community. My hope is that we can continue to worship together on Sundays and participate in the work of the church. In order to do this, we have taken measures to keep you safe and healthy.
Precautions to protect yourself and others you are in contact with
The World Health Organization (www.who.int) and The Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) are good sources of up-to-date information and suggestions for things we can do to help us respond to this emerging public health threat, including:
Avoid all non-essential travel, including plane trips, and especially cruise ships.
Clean your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or if water is not available, then use a sanitizer.
Our church is keeping soap and paper towels stocked in the restrooms. Wooden Ladder preschool program has also encouraged parents to wash children’s hands before bringing them to school each day.
Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones). To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, etc.
At church, we are wiping down surfaces and spraying disinfectant daily, and leaving doors open, to avoid the need to touch the knobs.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Like many institutions following the guidance of public health officials, our church is adopting the practice of social distancing. In worship, I encourage you to sit in a separate pew. Take this opportunity to spread out and fill the church. Until further notice, we will be suspending the passing of the peace in worship. Knowing how much we like to be close to one another, we will not be having a fellowship time after worship. Let’s give each other space and grace, knowing that the bond we share continues to be strong, even from a distance.
Older people and people with severe chronic conditions or who are immuno-compromised (e.g. recent surgery, undergoing chemotherapy, etc.) should take special precautions because they are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. If you have specific health questions during this time, please contact nurse and Stephen Minister Lyn Robertson (412-352-8980).
Even if you are healthy, keep in mind that you could be a carrier. Kate Bowler (author of Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved) mentions her own experience as a guide: “For a long stretch, I was immuno-compromised and I needed the healthy to be on my team. To wash their hands. To not hug me if they had even a sniffle. But mostly just to love me wholeheartedly. Let love lead the way. The weak are not to be feared, but to be sheltered.”
If you are sick or concerned about being around people, then please stay home. You can worship with us via the live-streamed service on our church website (www.cpcba.org).
We will not be having the “Heaven Can’t Wait” seminar luncheon this Sunday. Stay tuned for further information on cancellations and rescheduling of events.
Prepare and keep supplies on hand
Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in our community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and supplies to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.
Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time.
We encourage you to be aware of the needs of your family, friends, and neighbors, especially the most vulnerable people. If you know of someone you are worried about, please contact Deacon Mary Witul (412-443-0918).
At the church, we are aware of and will utilize resources from The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, including this thorough guide for congregations in response to severe infectious outbreaks. In addition, the Synod of the Trinity has assembled a set of local, denominational, national, and global resources to support the church as it faces this virus threat.
Pray
In his letter to the church then and now, Paul reminds us all: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). Even during this coronavirus pandemic, especially during this anxious time, let us hold onto our faith and give thanks that God promises to be with us always. And let us pray...and pray without ceasing. Pray for people to be treated, the virus to be contained and controlled, and for us to resume our normal routines soon and very soon.
Know that I am praying without ceasing for you all. Please feel free to contact me at any time, if you have particular pastoral needs or prayer concerns (615-878-6600). Please join with me in praying for God’s healing grace to be a powerful force for healing and wholeness in our community and all over the world.
Prayer-fully and Care-fully yours,
Pastor Donna