March 15, St. Patrick's Day!
Day 1 of home schooling, day 6 of social distancing, and day 7 of too much information overload.
Blessings and prayers to all who are going this this experience of the COVID-19 together.
In the UP it is social isolation, in your homes, take-out is the only option for entertainment, unless you go the casino or one of the few local worship services in person. This also leave so many isolated in the nursing homes, hospitals, adult care facilities, senior housing, foster care facilities, group homes, and homeless.
During this time and in my seminary journey, I have a course that requires fieldwork. Getting out into the public to see how to bridge the gap between community and church or to be the church in community. Last semester was amazing. I worked at Trillium Hospice House and so excited to get back there to help out in so many ways. Hiccups in the procedures started and last Thursday we finally had everything ready to go, meeting Friday morning to plan out how to help in the next couple months. Then the sanctions from the state government started to roll out. School are going to close for 3 weeks. Mandatory visitor restrictions to all senior care facilities. Well, helping at Trillium was no longer an option for the immediate future. Where to go from there?
Well, one way is to keep this blog going. The experiences of a Yooper in Seminary and what does that look like in today's world. Not sure if the content and ramblings posted will change the focus. Hopes for this is as a place of reflection for things I have learned along the way. Ideas to help out parents with kids as we try this home schooling with a 3 year old and her 70 year old Papa while momma is in school during the day and getting homework done. Thoughts and ideas of being involved in churches but not in leadership roles that hold weight in decision making capacities. Reflections on the ideas of what it means to be a Lutheran church in today's socieity of a pandemic and the aftermath. Frustrations, celebrations, ideas, trials, victories...everything is one the table.
I also hope to form a prayer reflection page on Facebook as a place to start to gather those who are worried or concerned but don't have someplace to turn. Maybe it will work, maybe it will flop. As an introvert, the social media is a great platform. Not excited about videos but I'll even try my hand at some of those as well.
I'll admit that emotions and anxiety is high at this point. Anxious that if the numbers do not sore like they have around the world, people will think we overreacted and not heed warnings the next time we have any type of crisis. Concern that we are over reacting and this is just a media frenzy that we have taken seriously. Hopeful that the measure taken will result in all those who need health care will have it available when needed. Concerned that the markets are in free-fall and a recession/depression is on the horizon. Hopeful it passes quickly. Fearful that loss of life and the loss of a close loved one is inevitable.
Lord, we thank you for the sun shining outside that promises spring to come. Spring that brings new life and rebirth to nature and to our communities. In this time of trial and tribulation, when we are inundated with media, press conferences, new of positive test cases, fear of overwhelmed medical facilities, and confused on the right course to take, we turn to you and to your loving embrace. Holy Spirit, lead us through this time of trial and help us to focus on you and your saving grace. Be with, hold up, and renew all those on the front lines of this pandemic, the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, emergency services, government leaders, Church leaders, and all those struggling with fear and anxiety. Grant us all peace, through your Son, our risen Lord, Amen.
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