Rev. Kathi's Message
Things are changing so fast. It’s enough to make us dizzy and scare our hearts. And I’m writing to remind you to be gentle with yourself and generous with others — we’re in this together.
Just 2 months ago, we were urged to stay home if we felt sick and to consult our doctors. Today, we are in a state of emergency: prohibited from gathering, with everything but the most essential services closed, most of us working from home if possible. All of this has become necessary in order to save countless lives, and the economic consequences, especially for the most vulnerable people, are now incalculable.
We are living into new daily rhythms. While that alone is disorienting, we are already moving from a life of daily inconvenience to one of fear. Institutions from sports to conferences to schools have transformed overnight. Many of our children — sometimes three generations — are now home with us, which requires its own adjustments. And many, many people are finding themselves abruptly and unceremoniously out of work, with uncertain prospects for future paychecks as social distancing measures continue for an unknown length of time.
We must not let fear become a way of life. We remember the words of Jesus: Love can cast out fear. Leaning into love and learning what it really means to love our neighbors in this crisis will be crucial to our collective health and survival.
Public health now requires social separation to prevent the community spread of the coronavirus, but personal and communal health means increasing — and not decreasing — social solidarity. We need physical distance but not human isolation, especially for the most vulnerable. Even living more alone, we must find new ways to be together, as community is essential for communal health and the common good. Turning from physical contact with others must not cause us to turn away from each other, but rather turning to each other in better, deeper, and healthier ways.
So how do we build community that doesn’t depend upon physical proximity? How do we keep together while keeping apart? The answers must stem from active, creative, and innovated faith that leads to action. Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic must be both effectively practical and deeply spiritual at the same time. As a faith community we are called to this work.
One of the most important reflections I can leave you with is this: Loving your neighbor has never been more important than it is right now, even if we must find new and creative ways to do so. We are in this together.
In love, Kathi