Today, the structure of American life is indeed changing as we respond to the double pandemic of poverty and COVID-19. There are record numbers joining the ranks of the unemployed; hospitals and morgues are overflowing while the streets are empty; and many of the workers who have been deemed essential and mandated to work are those being paid the lowest wages, with the least worker protections.

We see a health care system on the brink after decades of budget cuts, privatization, and a focus on profits over patients and public health. We see, in stark reality, the truth that 140 million people in America are either already poor or one health care crisis or missed paycheck away from poverty, nearly half of the U.S. population.

In times such as these, we cannot be silent anymore! We must take action together and become a “new and unsettling force in our complacent national life.”

The deliberate actions of elected officials and some in the news-media to scapegoat, blame, demean and deride them as harbingers of the virus are entirely without merit, immoral and dangerous.

Our actions now, in this crisis, show us who we really are. Just as you are doing your part to flatten the curve, practice safe hygiene, and protect those who are vulnerable among us, you can also make sure that our friends and neighbors are protected from harassing and violent language, physical attacks, and loss of business.

Take Action

We have been asked to engage in social distancing during the current outbreak of COVID-19. This has forced us to abandon our traditional ways of practicing community. We have walked together, we have held hands during prayers, we have hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. Social distancing precludes all these practices.

So, we offer a different Urban Way of the Cross for the faithful in Albuquerque and elsewhere.

As people of faith we invite you to gather together during this anxious and uncertain time. Take a moment to visit AFN's Virtual Prayer Room, read the prayers of our community and submit your own. We stand together, rooted in our own faiths, praying for healing and direction.

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2020 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MST

Join the interfaith webinar, A Faith Response to COVID-19 which will explain important details of the recently passed C.A.R.E.S. Act, the positive provisions, and the key priorities that were left out.

As the COVID-19 crisis spreads rapidly throughout the country, rural communities are some of the most at risk populations with fewer hospitals, health care workers and resources for testing and treatment. We’re called to love our neighbors and we need our political leaders to take action to deliver policies that will help small town America, so we’re asking faith communities to sign onto this letter now.

Michael Curry, Southwest Conference Lay Minister for Disability Education, Advocacy, and Awareness, asked that we share this resource that provides information on Mental Health and COVID-19:

Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources

Broad economic sanctions have been shown over the years to mostly affect the wider population in a country, not the leadership or well-off. Especially in a global pandemic, sanctions should be lifted rather than increased. The Trump Administration has made no effort to lift or pause sanctions that are currently in place. The World Health Organization has committed to help all three countries through the pandemic, but we have a responsibility to help as well.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

We’re experiencing an unusually high volume of emails, and you probably are, too! You can set up your email auto-respond message as a FAQ page. See how Rev. Seth Wispelwey at Rincon Congregational UCC is doing that.

The East Valley Church Network (which sponsored the recent event at Desert Palm) is in special need of bath towels, in case immigrant families, who are scheduled to be given amnesty in the next few weeks, are released by ICE.

To collect towels and/or food donations, our Justice and Witness Team is hosting a Drive-Thru Donation Drop-off Day, (Tuesday, March 24th) in the church parking lot. Donations will be collected between the hours of (10AM-6PM).

Our Judicatory Heads agreed on a common letter...which unfortunately was adjusted several times to meet various newspapers guidelines! But the content (as published in the Albuquerque Journal on Sunday, March 22) is printed below. Please let us know if you saw something similar in your local newspaper; we submitted to 30 news outlets across the state.

How do we care for ourselves and others during social distancing?

Chicago Theological Seminary is committed to the ongoing support of its students, alumni, and community. The CONNECTS Forum provides an open platform to find and share valuable resources.