A Pastoral Letter from Rev. Pam Holt: Care and Concern About Covid-19

Good afternoon, Colleagues and Congregations!

We are in the third week of the Season of Lent and still headed toward Jerusalem with Jesus. Lent, the season of deep reflection and examination, calls us to  prepare our hearts and minds for the final days of Jesus life, his death, and his glorious resurrection.  In these current days of world-wide health crisis, we are truly learning about suffering with one another and preparing for Easter in a new way.

While we have been through natural disaster in Oklahoma before and know how to take care of one another, none of us have been in a situation such as we are now.  We are all charting new territory, and the terrain changes daily.  What we know for sure is that we are so connected that every death, every tragedy, and every joy reverberates through us.

Michael and I realize that there are many resources on social media and in the news.  With this email, we want you to know we are following and selecting some basic resources to help facilitate how we can be faithful even in a time such as this.  We encourage you to be prepared and plan now for a different way to connect and practice your faith, while this corona virus (COVID-19) has low risk in Oklahoma.

As We Gather For Worship

The situation with the NFL at Chesapeake Center in OKC was eye-opening to many and was the catalyst that halted all sporting events.  The Region cancelled the International Affairs Seminar which was scheduled to travel to Washington, DC and New York City.  The Disciples Men cancelled their April retreat.  The Regional Executive Committee will make a decision about postponing Regional Assembly/LTS on Tuesday.  As we hear of many more events cancelling, including school closings, we understand that it is very difficult to make a decision on whether or not to gather for worship.

Preparing for Worship

Here are good words from Rev. David Wheeler, Federated Church Weatherford,  “If you are elderly, if your health is compromised by various complications, if your immune system is weakened in any way, or if your daily life requires you to interact with those who may fall into one of the above categories— please think long and hard before you come to worship this Sunday.”

Many of our people will self-select not to attend worship.  Others may decide to attend until advised otherwise.  We know you are aware and making plans that are best for your faith community.  The following are areas to consider.

  • How is the building being sanitized prior to people entering?
  • What touchpoints are being cleaned?  Doorknobs, bathrooms, entry doors, pews, tables, . . . the list goes on.
  • How is the building being sanitized after people depart?
  • During worship, please eliminate the passing of the peace.  People who are accustomed to hugging and hand-shaking just cannot refrain.  So do not offer it.
  • It is important to think about different ways to pass the offering plate, communion, and departing to serve the world.
  • Communion kits are a good alternative if you can get them by Sunday.
  • Another alternative is for the offering plate to remain at the front of the sanctuary so that people can drop their offering in the plate when they come forward to receive communion.
  • Deacons/Elders can sanitize AND wear clear gloves while they hold the communion ware.  People will come forward, put their offering in the plate, and the deacon/elder can place a piece of bread in the person’s hand, and the next deacon/elder can hand the person a cup.  Rather than drink it and have the empty cup in the tray, have a trash with a plastic bag right there for disposal.

Remember to communicate with your people that this is temporary and not a permanent change.  This alternative way is to provide protection not only for themselves, but all those with whom they come in contact.

Preparing for Worship via Technology

Many of our congregations are not prepared to worship through technology as easily as others.  The following are resources to help make transitions to worship through technology.

Sunday Fellowship Dinners

These meals are important but they need to be some kind of sack or boxed meal.  No open serving.  No common use of utensils, i.e., tongs, spoons.  Or, just do not offer an after worship meal.

Staying Connected

Here are some additional considerations for caring and staying connected as the Body of Christ. Host a zoom meeting or FaceTime meeting with the Elders to wonder together . . .

  • How can we utilize social media to reach our people?
  • How can we divide up our membership so that we connect with all of them by phone and/or text to pray?
  • Who needs extra check-ins by phone or texts?
  • Who is having surgery or is in the hospital?  What is the hospital protocol for a pastoral visit?
  • Who needs groceries delivered?
  • Who needs to have prescriptions picked up for them?
  • Who needs support if their income was cut off by quarantine?

Remember, we are so connected that every death, every tragedy, and every joy reverberates through us.  Be prepared and plan now, while this corona virus (COVID-19) has low risk, with each of those people in mind.

Travel and Self-Care

For the next few weeks, the Region is advocating for only essential travel, and we are recommending that our staff take care of themselves with plenty of rest, water, healthy eating, and some outdoor time walking.  We recommend the same for you all as clergy and for your members.

What to do while staying still . . .

Pray.  Read a novel.  Watch movies that make you laugh.  Write a letter to a family member or friend.  Start a journal about this strange and unique time.  Clean out a closet.  Walk outside.

A Viet Nam Purple Heart veteran once said, “Look for something beautiful every day.  You’ll find it.  Just look.”  In the midst of all our anxiety and worry about this worldly distress, we invite all of us to pause, take a breath, and look for something beautiful every day. The Regional staff will continue to stay connected to each other and you whether we are in the office or at our homes.  Michael, Ellen, Jennifer, and I continue our prayers for each of you, and all of you.  We will continue to walk together with you in faith, love, and hope.

Peace & God’s Grace,

Pam and Michael