COVID-19 | Faith Leaders | Response and Responsibility

The emergence and spread of the novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19 as designated by the World Health Organization, has faith leaders considering appropriate response and responsibility. This developing situation reminds us of the interconnectedness of the world; we are all connected as part of God’s good creation. People of faith respond to such developing situations with compassion and care first, rather than fear and panic, because of the courage that faith inspires.

TWO IMPORTANT TASKS...
As with any developing situation, some media reports can be more harmful than helpful, inspiring fear and anxiety, even outright panic. As people of faith, we are called to remember two important tasks in such situations:

1. We are called to respond first as Christians, as the church, the body of Christ. The first response is compassion and concern, undergirded by prayer and service. Our first impulse is courage, compassion, and faithfulness. Those principles, rather than fear and panic, guide our decisions and actions moving forward. Bias and racial profiling often accompany public crises, as they have in this case. Resist and renounce these temptations in your response to this crisis.
2. Because of our first response, we are also called to inform ourselves about the reality of the developing situation and about known best practices for dealing with the situation in a coherent and faithful way. We must draw on reliable resources for guidance in both preparing for and dealing with this developing situation.

We hope the information on this page can support our faith communities as you discern faithfulness and wise actions in the weeks ahead; we will try our best to update this page as frequently as we deem helpful.

All American Baptist national and regional partners including regions, churches, American Baptist Related Organizations such as ABMen and AB Women, ABC related colleges, universities, seminaries, Community Outreach Ministries partners and the American Baptist national network of chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual counselors and specialized ministers’ are eligible to apply for these grants. Organizations may apply for a OGHS COVID-19 related grant in one or more of the quarterly cycles.  However, priority for awarding grants will be given to organizations who are first time applicants.

Please find attached the OGHS COVID Grant Application form.  You may also submit the application online on our website at this link: https://abhms.org/abhms-covid-recovery-grant-application-form.  The passcode is: COVID1920

1. In “Ministry during Pandemic: From Awareness to Implementation,” Judson Press and the Rev. Dr. Naomi Kohatsu Paget offer a free and downloadable resource at www.judsonpress.com for ministry in these times.

2. ABC Regional Executive Ministers have put together a brief list of best practices, including pastoral care and recommendations for funerals. Click HERE.

3. A "Guide for Christian Funerals during COVID-19" by the Massachusetts Council of Churches.

4. A Multi-Faith Clergy group on Facebook produced this document, giving suggestions and guidance for worship, technology, giving, and pastoral care.

5. Psychological Perspectives on COVID 19 by Richard Bedrosian, PhD, a brief slide show with links to various practical resources on coping with anxiety, stress, and other psychological and emotion health topics.

6. Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders - provided by Pathways to Promise, an interfaith cooperative of many faith groups to facilitate the faith community’s work in reaching out to those with mental illnesses and their families.

7. Taking Inventory: Preparing for the Next Phase in Ministry - a Zoom conversation, hosted by ABC/WI and CENTRAL Wisconsin on Thursday, May 21, 2020. Slides from the presentation available: Taking Inventory slides. Also available is an edited audio recording of the event:

1. Singing in a Foreign Land by Mary Schecher - Music Matters (on singing during social distancing)

2. Church Music in the Age of COVID-19, provided by the Wisconsin Council of Churches

3. A sermon "Connected through the Cloud" based on Hebrews 12:1-3 from John Jones, Associate Regional Minister-Education, for all the churches of ABC Wisconsin. Click HERE.

4. A sermon and word of encouragement from Marie Onwubuariri Regional Exec. Minister, to the churches of ABC Wisconsin based on Ephesian 4:11-16.  Click HERE.

5. Hymn Medley: Pianist: Marie Onwubuariri
Holy, Holy, Holy; Great is Thy Faithfulness; It is Well With My Soul

6. Blest Be The Tie That Binds (Instrumental): Pianist: Marie Onwubuariri
To listen to the audio file you do need to log into Dropbox; you can listen from any browser window.
Lyrics can be found HERE if you would like to sing along (Note: Time Signature is 4/4)

7. Sample video devotion from Camp Tamarack - from Rev. Kim Drost

8. Public Domain Hymns

9. Ministry Brands: Free Online Ministry Resources

GOVERNMENT

AMERICAN BAPTIST

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT...

LISTEN
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”  Matthew 25:35-36 NRSV

^‘If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?’ James 2:15-16 NRSV

Listen to the scriptures and the tradition that speak our identity into existence.  The scriptures remind us of who we are in times of crisis: those who respond. However and whatever the response, may we remember first and foremost who (and whose) we are.

PRAY
Pray for those infected by the coronavirus all around the world.
Pray for the families who have lost loved ones during this pandemic.
Pray with gratitude for those who care for them.
Pray with gratitude for health specialists and authorities who are combatting the spread of infection.
Pray for government officials and leaders to have the wisdom necessary to make necessary and informed decisions out of care for the public good, particularly those most vulnerable.
Pray for all who at this time are feeling anxious.

BASIC HEALTH GUIDANCE

This guidance for all individuals of basic protective measures is drawn from the World Health Organization, and other widely available communications.

• Stay home if you are feeling sick.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Maintain social distancing.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Practice respiratory hygiene.
• Bleach, alcohol, Lysol and other basic disinfectants are good to use to clean doorknobs, handles, faucets and counter tops.
• Have a good supply of fluids, healthy food, decongestants, anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen for fevers.
• Have a first aid kit, flashlight, space blanket in your car.
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early