Working to adapt to our new reality

The tragic statistics increase daily.  The far-reaching effects of the coronavirus pandemic can only be speculatively anticipated.  And, how long will this plague be among us?  Travel is limited, and international travel is virtually shut down.  The hospitality and cruise industries are crippled.  Restaurants, taverns and even fast-food outlets have had to find a way to function on take-out traffic.  Major sporting events – really all sporting events – are being cancelled or postponed.  This doesn’t only touch rich owners and highly paid athletes.  Nor does it merely inconvenience high-profile amateur athletes playing for elite universities.  There are concession workers, ticket sellers, custodial staff, grounds crews, parking attendants, program vendors and facility ushers who are all without a paycheck right now.  Try to buy a can of disinfectant spray right now.  And don’t get me started on toilet paper.  School systems and universities are closing, some planning dependence upon on-line classes for the remainder of the current term.

None of these things are insignificant.  Deprivation is striking at every corner of our lives.

In the midst of this, we have also had to close our churches. 

Until at least April 5 – and at this point that date seems wildly optimistic – Bolivar and Whiteville United Methodist churches are in total shutdown.  There will be no services of worship during this time.  Nor will we hold mid-week activities, choir rehearsals or administrative meetings. 

It is painful.  It is uncomfortable.  And the situation is frustrating because it is out of our control.  But it is our only responsible option.  Any one of us might risk our own health in order to be in church.  But to gather right now is to risk the well-being of everyone with whom we come in contact over the next three days.  The Center for Disease Control is issuing warnings for any gathering of over ten people.  For a local church to fly in the face of these cautions is at this point unthinkable.

So, we have to find other ways to be a community of faith.  I hope that we are telephoning one another, checking on those who may be at risk.  We can encourage one another even as we share in these awkward moments.  Read your Bible.  Pray for one another.  Do not forget others of the household of faith.

The church office at Bolivar continues to function.  Please contact us if you have concerns.  And, if you have a pastoral care issue, please call and if I am not there – I intend to be around – leave a voicemail and I will attend to it promptly.

I will be using this blog as a forum to stay in touch and to keep you up to speed on what’s going on.

We will get through this.

But it will take a little time.