Below are two graphics that help frame this stage of our experience coping with COVID-19. We have passed the heroic effort phase of this disaster and we are beginning to realize we are in this for an extended period of time. Much is out of our control. We are feeling restless, maybe depressed, a=maybe angry, maybe lots of things. We can feel ourselves sliding into a dark place, an impatient place, a waiting place. In this phase of experiencing a critical incident or disaster it help significantly to name the cycle with people, affirm their feelings are to be expected and are normal, and to name with them the challenge. In today’s interview with the AZ Republic I said it this way:
We are all anxious for this to be over, to get back to ‘normal’ and to be ‘in-person’ again. Reality tells us that just is not going to happen. Even when it is ‘over’ life will be different so it doesn’t happen again. The task now is to say goodbye to what was and our wish for that to return so that we can come to terms with what is and commit to the strategy that will bring as many of us as possible us through this alive.
People do well when leaders tell them the truth, ask for the necessary response, and explain how that response will help. I share these tools with you as you continue to care for God’s people in your charge.
To reiterate some key points from our conversation…
The next recommendation I will make regarding no in-person gatherings will be crafted from the collective wisdom of clergy, moderators, and treasurers along with our standing committees. The evidence medically is overwhelming right now that we do not have a handle on the viruses spread, we do not have adequate testing, and when in-person gathering is resuming the infection rate immediately increases. Evidence is also overwhelming in a positive way: continuing isolation and stay-at-home practices IS keeping infection rates lower than anticipated and preventing our medical providers from being overwhelmed. On the call we took the temperature of how tolerant our churches are of the no in-person gatherings, what the next statement from the SWC needs to include. Thank you for your wisdom! Moderators and Treasurers and I will have this conversation in two weeks with a pastoral letter/video coming out before the current recommendation expires.
AZ mainline protestant bishops/executives agree that the stay-at-home practice including churches needs to continue. We’ve sent a letter to the governor urging as much, and the AZ Republic is carrying that story sometime in the next few days.
Camp as been cancelled and the alternate plan for DUCC@Home has been shared Much more on DUCC@Home will be released in coming weeks.
First Congregational Church/Flagstaff established a mutual aid network for undocumented people, all of whom are ineligible for federal assistance due to the policies of this administration. In 15 minutes requests for assistance exceeded by 3x their funding ($30K). They need $75K total or $45K more to grant each applicant family $500 in relief. We all can help by contributing to https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19-fund-for-flagstaff-immigrants.
