Tuesday's
NEWS FROM KNOX
Tuesday | March 17, 2020
Social Distancing as a Spiritual Practice
By Becky Bosarge, Congregational Care Coordinator

Cancelled. Postponed. Social Distancing. These are not words that we usually associate with Christian practice! This is hard! All our usual sources of inspiration and hope are not available to us in the normal ways.
 
One way to encourage and console ourselves is to remind ourselves this is temporary; we will get through it together, and we will get back to normal. Take a deep breath and remind yourself of this regularly!
 
But when I put my “spiritual director” hat on, I think there might be another way to look at this strange time. It occurred to me as I was learning about and informing people of cancellations and postponements, that the spiritual life is never cancelled! Never postponed! I’m wondering how we might bring a contemplative spirit to these strange times and come out of this not merely “back to normal” but changed, having grown closer to God, each other, and even our deepest selves.
 
When our spirits are feeling unsettled, the best thing we might do is to make spaces in our day for prayerful pauses (now might not be the time to begin that in-depth study of the major and minor prophets!).
 
Here are some ways I am going to try and pause; to open myself up to a deeper, more loving Reality; to remind my spirit that no matter what, I am held by Love. I invite you to join me!
 
PRAYERFUL PAUSES…
 
We can turn the things we have to do – cancelling gatherings, social distancing, and handwashing--into prayer:
 
  • When you start feeling anxious about isolation and social distancing, stop and pray for all those who will benefit from this act of compassion. Imagine God’s loving, healing light surrounding healthcare workers, teachers and students, older adults, those with health conditions that make them vulnerable. Say names or groups of people out loud or write them down. Imagine them bathed in God’s loving, healing light.
  • Occasionally, when you wash your hands, make it a contemplative, mindful experience. Pause before you start and feel your feet on the rug or floor; feel the cool sink; listen to the water running; feel the temperature changing; feel the soap between your palms and fingers. As you wash, pray a version of the loving-kindness prayer from the Buddhist tradition: May all beings be safe; may all beings be well; may all beings be at peace; may all beings be loved.
 
We can also pause in ways that lift us out of the turmoil for a bit. Here are some websites and apps (all of which I currently have on my phone) that provide opportunity for a brief, prayerful pause using scripture, visuals, and music. Praying with our sacred text is a great way to allow God’s voice to speak into our worries.
 
www.sacredspace.ie or Sacred Space in your app store
www.d365.org or d365.
www.Pray-As-You-Go.org or Pray as You Go (lovely variety of music and lovely variety of UK accents)
www.commonprayer.net or Common Prayer in your app store
 
Let us know how you are nurturing your spirit during this time; let us know if God is showing up for you in surprising or new ways. May God’s loving, healing light surround you this day and may you know that you are not alone.
Helping IHN during the COVID-19 virus.
Due to safety concerns for Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) guests and volunteers, IHN has changed their usual procedures. Homeless families that are at higher risk of illness will be staying around the clock at Grace Place in College Hill, starting immediately, and through at least April 5. This will allow social isolation and distance. A second group of families will be staying in a host church, United Church of Christ, also in College Hill. For the first week the families will travel from the day center to the church, after March 22, they will stay 24/7 at the church. How you can help: IHN has many needs during this period, including dinners delivered to these locations, non-perishable breakfast and lunch supplies, and Walmart or Kroger gift cards so that IHN staff can purchase supplies.  Here is a link   where you can get further details and sign up for dinner delivery.
Knox will be hosting IHN families at the church during the week of April 19 , and there is a critical need for volunteers for this work. Please click here for information and to sign up!
How do we talk to children about coronavirus?  Cincinnati Children’s hospital has some good ideas here .
 
Remember to check in frequently at the Knox website for from our pastors, the latest schedule changes and other important information during the coronavirus outbreak. (You might consider bookmarking it for easier access!)
 
The Knox Music Series April 10 presentation of The Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross and Bach’s Cantata #4 has been postponed. Stay tuned for information about a new date.

The Men's Group Saturday breakfast at Third Church has been cancelled.
 
Click here to read the latest issue of Cincinnati Sampler , the e-newsletter of the Presbytery of Cincinnati. 
Three fun things you can do this week:

Go to the zoo.  The Cincinnati Zoo offers a fun peak into the daily lives of animals every day at 3:00pm via online broadcast. Get the details here .
Go to a museum. Museums around the world are offering virtual tours. Click here for a list. (Are the two women below self-distancing?)
Take a prayer walk! Tina Hubert recently sent Knox parents instructions on how to do a prayer walk with children—but it’s also a great activity for adults, and it can be done within the bounds of social distancing. Learn how to do it here . 
How can we help you?
Let us know if you do not have a support system in place if you become ill, or if you have concerns for someone for whom that may be true. We as your church family are ready to check in with you as you request. Contact Pam Ward, RN, Faith Community Nurse, at pward@knox.org or by calling the church at 513-321-2573.
How to reach Knox during the office closure
Even though our offices will be closed, Knox staff members are still working from remote locations and are ready to serve you. We are monitoring the Knox telephone voice mail (513-321-2573) throughout normal business hours and will respond to you quickly. A full list of staff emails can be found here .